Bananza Could Finally Fix Donkey Kong’s Messy Timeline
▼ Summary
– Donkey Kong Bananza may help clarify the confusing Donkey Kong timeline, especially with revelations about Pauline being 13 years old in the game.
– Nintendo has a history of contradictory timelines, as seen in franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Mario, often prioritizing fun over narrative consistency.
– The Donkey Kong timeline begins with the 1981 arcade game, where Mario rescues Pauline from Donkey Kong, though later games introduce prequels like Yoshi’s Island DS featuring Baby DK.
– The timeline becomes fragmented after Donkey Kong Jr., with 1994’s Donkey Kong Country rebranding the original Donkey Kong as Cranky Kong and introducing a new Donkey Kong as his grandson.
– Donkey Kong Bananza’s placement between Yoshi’s Island DS and the original Donkey Kong raises questions, as it includes characters like Cranky Kong and Diddy Kong who shouldn’t exist yet.
The Donkey Kong timeline has long been a confusing web of contradictions, but the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza might finally bring some much-needed clarity. This Switch 2 exclusive introduces a younger version of Pauline, just 13 years old, hinting that the game could bridge gaps in the franchise’s notoriously messy lore. For fans obsessed with piecing together the Kong family tree, this could be a game-changer.
Nintendo has never shied away from timeline chaos. The company famously twisted itself into knots explaining The Legend of Zelda’s multiple timelines, yet happily lets Baby Mario race against his adult self in Mario Kart. Fun comes first, even if it leaves lore enthusiasts scratching their heads over whether Cranky Kong is Donkey Kong’s father, grandfather, or the same ape from the 1981 arcade classic.
To untangle this mess, we have to go back to the beginning. The original Donkey Kong arcade game introduced Mario (then called Jumpman) rescuing Pauline from the giant ape. Why DK kidnapped her remains a mystery, love, revenge, or just arcade-era simplicity? Later games added prequels, like Yoshi’s Island DS, which confirmed Baby DK’s existence alongside Baby Mario and Baby Peach. Since Mario is perpetually around 25, this places Yoshi’s Island decades before the original Donkey Kong. Yet, Mario Super Sluggers bizarrely lets Baby DK and adult Donkey Kong coexist, further muddying the waters.
After Yoshi’s Island, Donkey Kong Circus (1984) shows Mario tormenting a captive DK, forcing him to juggle pineapples. This could explain DK’s later grudge against Mario, leading to Pauline’s kidnapping. Donkey Kong Jr. then flips the script, casting Mario as the villain who cages DK, forcing Junior to rescue him. Later games like Donkey Kong Jr. Math suggest DK eventually escapes Mario’s clutches, only for the timeline to completely fracture in the 1990s.
Enter Donkey Kong Country (1994), which reboots the Kong lineage. The original arcade DK is now Cranky Kong, an elderly version of himself, while the playable hero is his grandson, the son of Donkey Kong Jr. This new canon introduced Diddy, Dixie, and even Wrinkly Kong (Cranky’s ghostly wife). Yet, Nintendo’s own Donkey Kong Game Boy remake that same year ignored this, treating DK as the same ape from 1981. Even today, games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and The Super Mario Bros. Movie can’t agree, is Cranky DK’s father or grandfather? Rare’s games sometimes call DK his “son,” adding another layer of confusion.
Now, Donkey Kong Bananza throws another wrench into the mix. With a 13-year-old Pauline, the game seems set between Yoshi’s Island DS and the original Donkey Kong. But how does that fit with Cranky, Diddy, and Dixie appearing alongside her? Nintendo’s coyness suggests Bananza might finally reconcile these contradictions, or at least give fans new headaches to debate. One thing’s certain: the Kong family tree remains as tangled as ever.
(Source: Polygon)
