Donkey Kong Bananza has finally arrived, and fans are eager to know the truth about Teenage Pauline’s connection to Super Mario Odyssey. The game’s story raises many questions, but the main plot reveals that 13-year-old Pauline is indeed living in New Donk City, just like her adult counterpart. However, this doesn’t necessarily confirm that Bananza is a prequel to Odyssey.
Pauline’s character shares similarities with Mayor Pauline from Odyssey, such as being singers and performers. Teenage Pauline’s storyline revolves around gaining confidence to perform, which mirrors Mayor Pauline’s past. The game establishes New Donk City before DK and Pauline arrive, but references the nickname “The Big Banana,” a Kong-inspired parody of New York’s “The Big Apple,” first used in Mario Odyssey.
Nintendo suggests that there might be more evidence to support Bananza being a sequel to Odyssey, rather than a prequel. Teenage Pauline regularly mentions her grandmother, who is likely Arcade Pauline, the original kidnapped by Cranky Kong. The family connection becomes clearer when considering Donkey Kong’s grandfather: Cranky Kong.
There are three generations of DK and Pauline: Arcade/Cranky, Jr., and the main DK. This theory suggests that Teenage Pauline is Mayor Pauline’s daughter and the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline. While completing Bananza’s postgame content provides little concrete evidence to support this theory, it does offer an interesting narrative explanation.
However, without more confirmation from Nintendo, the true nature of Bananza’s connection to Odyssey remains a speculation. The game’s story introduces concerns about the Mario universe’s timeline and continuity, leaving fans wondering if there are multiple generations of Mario or if he remains ageless.
Fans can share their thoughts on this theory in the comments section, but it’s essential to remember that Nintendo doesn’t always prioritize lore and continuity across its games.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/donkey-kong-bananza-ending-explained-how-does-it-connect-to-mario-odyssey