Nintendo may have accidentally confirmed a major link between Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Odyssey. We’re not sure if the same developers are behind both games, but Pauline’s mysterious appearance suggests a deeper connection.

When Nintendo revealed Donkey Kong Bananza during the Switch Direct 2 showcase, fans were surprised—not just because it’s the first new Donkey Kong title in over ten years, but also because it marks his long-awaited return to a 3D platformer, something we haven’t seen since the N64 era. But what truly sent the internet into speculation mode came after the event, when Nintendo accidentally published promotional artwork that could reshape the Mario universe’s lore as we know it.

The slip-up occurred on Nintendo Korea’s website, where a preview image for the new Donkey Kong adventure included a surprising face: a younger version of Pauline. What makes this more puzzling is that neither the announcement trailer nor any of the official materials make any mention of Pauline or any other companion character. This has fueled theories that her presence might play a pivotal role in the story.

Why Could Pauline Be the Key to Donkey Kong Bananza?

First introduced in 1981’s original Donkey Kong game, Pauline has become a familiar face across the Mario franchise, serving as mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey and appearing in several spin-offs. Her inclusion in Bananza—as a much younger version—raises the possibility of a retcon, prequel, or even alternate timeline that shifts how we understand Donkey Kong’s origins.

Could this version of Pauline be the same one Mario once rescued, just seen earlier in her life? Or could it imply that the classic Donkey Kong narrative is being rewritten entirely? Some fans now wonder if Mario misread the whole situation in 1981—maybe Pauline wasn’t in danger, and Donkey Kong wasn’t the villain we assumed. Nintendo hasn’t confirmed anything, but the visual hints are enough to spark debate.

Beyond this mysterious development, fans have also noticed another major omission: where’s Diddy Kong? The energetic sidekick has appeared in nearly every Donkey Kong title to date, but he’s completely absent from the trailers and promotional content—leaving more questions than answers for now.

Source: 3djuegos