Donkey Kong Bananza Official Website Confirms Pauline's Age, Raising Timeline Questions

Donkey Kong Bananza Official Website Confirms Pauline's Age, Raising Timeline Questions Nintendo has sparked fresh discussion among fans of its iconic platformers with new details emerging from the official Donkey Kong Bananza website.

The page, launched to promote the upcoming title, reveals a key character detail: Pauline's age in the game is listed as 13 years old.

This official confirmation has left long-time fans and gaming industry observers questioning where Donkey Kong Bananza fits into the broader Donkey Kong and Super Mario series timeline. Donkey Kong Bananza is the latest installment in Nintendo's legendary Donkey Kong franchise—one of gaming’s most enduring and celebrated series.

The title is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, continuing Nintendo’s tradition of bringing beloved characters to its flagship platform.

Notably, Bananza features the return of several familiar faces, including Donkey Kong himself, the ever-cunning Cranky Kong, and Pauline, the iconic damsel-turned-mayor from previous Donkey Kong and Super Mario games. The website for Donkey Kong Bananza includes updated character bios, and in a notable entry, confirms Pauline's in-game age as 13.

This detail stands out, as the character has previously been depicted as an adult, particularly in her prominent role as mayor in Super Mario Odyssey (released on October 27, 2017, for the Nintendo Switch).

The revelation has prompted immediate speculation and analysis regarding the game's placement in series chronology, with many suggesting Donkey Kong Bananza may serve as a prequel to the events of Super Mario Odyssey. Nintendo has not officially commented on how Donkey Kong Bananza integrates with existing storylines, but the inclusion of younger versions of characters like Pauline, alongside stalwarts Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong, suggests a narrative set earlier in the Donkey Kong mythos.

The use of younger character portrayals in game storytelling is not new for Nintendo, often providing an opportunity to explore character backstories and series lore. Since its announcement via Nintendo Direct, Donkey Kong Bananza has garnered significant attention.

The franchise boasts over 65 million units sold globally across its various entries and continues to be a cornerstone of the Nintendo eShop catalog.

Developer credits have not yet been specified, though previous Donkey Kong entries have been handled both by Nintendo’s internal EPD studio and outside partners such as Retro Studios. As fans eagerly await more information about Donkey Kong Bananza’s setting and timeline, this latest website update offers a tantalizing glimpse at how Nintendo may be evolving the narratives of its most beloved characters.

The clarification of Pauline's age is more than a trivial update—it is a signal that Bananza could deliver a fresh perspective on the origins and early adventures that have shaped the Donkey Kong universe for decades. Stay tuned for further updates as Nintendo releases more details on Donkey Kong Bananza, upcoming features, and the official launch date for Nintendo Switch.

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