Donkey Kong Bananza Ending Fuels Major Mario Odyssey Timeline Theories

With Donkey Kong Bananza now officially released, players are dissecting its surprising finale, particularly the pivotal role of teenage Pauline. The game’s ending has ignited widespread speculation regarding its connection to Super Mario Odyssey and the true identity of New Donk City’s beloved mayor.

The central mystery revolves around 13-year-old Pauline, who, by the game’s conclusion, finds herself back in New Donk City, exclaiming “This is MY city!” This immediate link to Odyssey’s iconic locale has fans questioning whether Bananza serves as a prequel, an origin story for the city, or something far more intricate.

While initial theories leaned towards a prequel, strong in-game clues suggest a more complex timeline. Teenage Pauline’s frequent references to her “Grandma” and the pre-established nature of New Donk City in Bananza are leading many to believe that she is, in fact, the granddaughter of the original Arcade Pauline and the daughter of Odyssey’s Mayor Pauline. This multi-generational theory mirrors the established lineage of Donkey Kong himself, with Cranky Kong as the original Arcade DK, followed by Donkey Kong Jr., and then the current tie-wearing DK.

This fascinating interpretation posits three distinct Paulines — Arcade, Mayor, and Teenage — creating an adorable parallel with the three generations of Donkey Kong. While Nintendo is famously loose with its lore, this theory offers a compelling and emotionally resonant connection across decades of gaming history. As players continue to explore Bananza’s post-game content, the debate over Pauline’s true lineage and Bananza’s place in the larger Mario universe is only just beginning.

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