Discover the Link to Super Mario Odyssey
▼ Summary
– Donkey Kong Bananza features a 13-year-old Pauline, sparking speculation it’s a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey, where she appears as an adult mayor.
– The game’s finale reveals Pauline returns to New Donk City, the same location from Odyssey, but it’s unclear if Bananza is a prequel or sequel.
– Teenage Pauline references her grandmother, hinting at three generations of Paulines, similar to the three generations of Donkey Kongs in the series.
– Evidence suggests Arcade Pauline (blonde) and Mayor Pauline (brunette) may be different people, with Teenage Pauline possibly being the mayor’s daughter.
– Nintendo’s history of ignoring lore continuity means Bananza’s connection to Odyssey remains speculative, with no definitive timeline established.
The connection between Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Odyssey has sparked intense debate among fans, with Pauline’s role at the center of the mystery. The recently released Bananza introduces a 13-year-old version of the character, fueling speculation about whether the game serves as a prequel to Odyssey, where an adult Pauline rules New Donk City as its mayor. After exploring Bananza’s story and post-game content, we’ve uncovered some compelling clues, but the answers might not be what fans expected.
One of the biggest revelations comes during Bananza’s climax, when Pauline and DK arrive in New Donk City, which has been overrun by King K. Rool. As they emerge onto the streets, Pauline declares, “This is MY city!”, a line that seems to confirm her deep ties to the metropolis. While this initially suggests Bananza could be an origin story for Odyssey’s setting, deeper lore hints at a more complex timeline.
Pauline’s background raises intriguing questions. In Odyssey, Mayor Pauline is a confident performer, famously singing Jump Up, Super Star! at the New Donk City Festival. Teenage Pauline shares her musical talent, with much of her character arc focused on overcoming stage fright. She even sings Bananza’s transformation songs, reinforcing the idea that music runs in her blood. But if Bananza were a prequel, why is New Donk City already fully established? References to its nickname, “The Big Banana,” first heard in Odyssey, complicate the theory further.
The key to unraveling this mystery may lie in generational ties. Throughout Bananza, teenage Pauline mentions her grandmother, who lives in New Donk City. This detail becomes significant when considering Donkey Kong’s own family tree. Cranky Kong, DK’s grandfather, is the original arcade Donkey Kong who kidnapped the first Pauline decades ago. If Cranky represents one generation, and the current DK is the third, it’s plausible that Pauline’s lineage follows a similar pattern.
Visual clues add weight to this theory. Arcade Pauline had blonde hair, while Mayor Pauline is a brunette, a difference that could signify separate characters rather than a redesign. Odyssey even features a billboard depicting a blonde Pauline, possibly hinting at the original. If Mayor Pauline is Arcade Pauline’s daughter, then teenage Pauline could be her granddaughter, creating a parallel to the Kong family’s three generations.
Nintendo’s history with lore, however, leaves room for doubt. The company rarely prioritizes strict continuity, as seen in franchises like The Legend of Zelda. Even direct sequels sometimes hand-wave inconsistencies. Without official confirmation, the connection between Bananza and Odyssey remains speculative, though the idea of DK and Pauline’s descendants forming a friendship is undeniably charming.
So, is Bananza a prequel, a sequel, or something else entirely? The evidence leans toward a sequel, with teenage Pauline being the latest in a line of Paulines. But until Nintendo clarifies, fans will keep piecing together the clues. One thing’s for sure: the dynamic between these iconic characters continues to evolve in fascinating ways.
What’s your take on the Bananza-Odyssey link? Could there be multiple Paulines, or is this theory stretching the lore too far? Share your thoughts below!
(Source: IGN)
