Donkey Kong Bananza's ending sheds new light on Pauline's past and the DK timeline

The recently launched game, Donkey Kong Bananza, delivers crucial information about Pauline's background and her association with Donkey Kong, potentially resolving lingering questions about the Donkey Kong series' chronology. The game's conclusion firmly establishes it as a precursor to Super Mario Odyssey, illustrating the journey of a youthful Pauline and DK to New Donk City and her ambition to pursue a music career. This fresh narrative perspective allows for a re-evaluation of Pauline's prior remarks in Super Mario Odyssey concerning her "capture by an ape," implying that this event may stem from the happenings within Bananza rather than the classic Donkey Kong title.

The narrative of Donkey Kong Bananza begins with Pauline and DK emerging from the planet's hidden depths and reaching New Donk City. The game's ending sequence showcases Pauline's journey to pursue her dream of becoming a musical artist. A piece of post-ending art depicts a teenage Pauline busking on the streets of New Donk City, foreshadowing her eventual rise to celebrity and public office. This portrayal not only expands upon Pauline's character arc but also provides a concrete link between the events of Bananza and her established role as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey.

Furthermore, Donkey Kong Bananza offers a novel interpretation of a significant dialogue exchange from Super Mario Odyssey. In that game, Pauline poses a trivia question to Mario about a past incident where she was "captured by an ape." Her response, "It was traumatic at the time, but it helped make me the person I am now," was previously assumed to reference the original Donkey Kong game. However, with the release of Bananza, it is now plausible that her recollection pertains to her abduction by VoidCo's Void Kong, a prominent antagonist in Bananza. This revelation reframes the nature of Donkey Kong's relationship with Pauline, suggesting a role as a protective figure rather than an antagonist.

The events in Bananza lead to a re-evaluation of Donkey Kong's character, portraying him as a friendly and occasionally paternal figure to Pauline, until his insatiable craving for Banandium takes over. This new dynamic suggests that Donkey Kong might not have "kidnapped" Pauline in the traditional sense. It's possible that when Mario intervened, Donkey Kong, acting as a protector, was simply trying to shield Pauline from a potentially harmful relationship. Mario's known obsession with Princess Peach, who seems to view him as merely a good friend or a brother, lends credence to the idea that women might be better off without him. In this light, Donkey Kong's actions could be interpreted as a display of wisdom and concern for Pauline's well-being. This perspective encourages players to consider a more nuanced understanding of the characters' motivations and their intertwined history.

While Donkey Kong Bananza significantly clarifies certain aspects of Pauline's past and her connection to DK, the overall chronology of the Donkey Kong universe remains intricate. Questions still persist regarding the precise relationship between Bananza and the Donkey Kong Country series, and whether Cranky Kong is indeed the original Donkey Kong. Despite these ongoing complexities, the game offers valuable insights into how Pauline and Donkey Kong initially encountered each other, and it strongly suggests that their bond is one of camaraderie rather than animosity.