{"id":837,"date":"2025-07-21T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/?p=837"},"modified":"2025-07-23T09:32:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:32:48","slug":"donkey-kong-bananza-timeline-explained-is-it-a-prequel-to-super-mario-odyssey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/draplenvuxio.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/donkey-kong-bananza-timeline-explained-is-it-a-prequel-to-super-mario-odyssey\/","title":{"rendered":"Donkey Kong Bananza timeline explained: is it a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Yes, there is a DK timeline (Nintendo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The storyline of Donkey Kong Bananza<\/a> has sparked numerous fan theories but what is the truth of the DK timeline and is Pauline the same one from Super Mario Odyssey<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Nintendo<\/a> has always played fast and loose when it comes to story connections between games, but that hasn\u2019t stopped fans from trying to apply logic to the increasingly nonsensical.<\/p>\n

The most notorious example is the The Legend Of Zelda<\/a>, which encompasses multiple timelines and obscure multiplayer spin-offs. Nintendo has admitted<\/a> it only considers this timeline \u2018to an extent\u2019 during development, as it doesn\u2019t want to restrain creativity based on whether or not a version of Link triumphed over Ganon in 1998.<\/p>\n

Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 arcade game of the same name, alongside Pauline (no, it wasn\u2019t Princess Peach) and \u2018Jumpman\u2019 (later renamed as Mario). You might think an ape who throws barrels at a plumber doesn\u2019t have much complex lore to stew over, and you\u2019d be very correct, but the latest entry Donkey Kong Bananza<\/a> has thrown up some curveballs for anyone who loses sleep over the origins of Cranky Kong.<\/p>\n

Before we dive in, here\u2019s a warning that there will be significant spoilers for the ending of Donkey Kong Bananza below. Very significant spoilers, in fact, so please don\u2019t ruin the (excellent) ending for yourself by mistake.<\/p>\n

What happens at the end of Donkey Kong Bananza?<\/h2>\n

While Donkey Kong Bananza isn\u2019t heavy on narrative, there\u2019s one major twist towards the end of the game. Void Kong may have been sold as the game\u2019s big baddie, but King K. Rool is the true final boss. The classic DK nemesis, who was last featured in 2007\u2019s Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber on the Nintendo DS, is found trapped underground, before inevitably escaping.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tExpert, exclusive gaming analysis\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter<\/strong><\/a> for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

King K. Rool steals the Banandium Root and after Donkey Kong and Pauline defeat him, he steals it once again and uses it to corrupt a human city on the surface (aka New Donk City from Super Mario Odyssey). When you beat him again, he is sent flying away.<\/p>\n

After completing the post-game content, Donkey Kong and Pauline use the Banandium Root to ascend to the surface, as the latter wishes to sing onstage at City Hall. \u2018Grandmother will be so proud,\u2019 she remarks. The final shot shows artwork of Pauline performing onstage in New Donk City.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Artwork\t<\/div>
The final shot of Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does Donkey Kong Bananza connect to Super Mario Odyssey?<\/h2>\n

While the game features a 13-year-old Pauline, it\u2019s not clear if it\u2019s the same Pauline who is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. In fact, there\u2019s some evidence (albeit, tenuous) to suggest Donkey Kong Bananza is actually a sequel to Mario\u2019s adventure, and not an origin story for the singing mayor, as many originally assumed.<\/p>\n

Throughout Donkey Kong Bananza, teenage Pauline makes various references to her grandmother, who we never see. In one key scene, where the pair encounter Diddy and Dixie Kong in the Racing Layer, Pauline tells DK, \u2018I\u2019m glad you got to see your friends again! But if I don\u2019t get home, Grandma will worry.\u2019<\/p>\n

The identity of Pauline\u2019s grandma is never confirmed but there are several convincing theories. However, to understand the madness, some context is required on the history of Cranky Kong, aka Donkey Kong\u2019s alleged grandfather.<\/p>\n

What does Donkey Kong Bananza tell us about Cranky Kong?<\/h2>\n

While there has been conflicting details over the years, the prevailing theory is that the Donkey Kong who kidnapped Pauline in the original arcade game is actually Cranky Kong. In Donkey Kong Bananza, there\u2019s even some evidence to support this, as the elder ape makes a reference to an old rival who wore overalls. \u2018In my day, rivals had charisma\u2026 even in overalls!\u2019 he remarks.<\/p>\n

This is a reference to Mario, or Jumpman as he was known in the arcade version of Donkey Kong. The sequel was 1982\u2019s Donkey Kong Jr., which (if we\u2019re following the Cranky theory) features Cranky and Wrinkly Kong\u2019s son, as he tries to save his kidnapped father from Mario \u2013 in a reverse spin on the original premise.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Cranky's\t<\/div>
A reference to a certain man in overalls (Nintendo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A bone of contention is whether the Donkey Kong depicted in 1994\u2019s Donkey Kong Country is actually Donkey Kong Jr. or Donkey Kong Jr.\u2019s son. However, according to the Donkey Kong Country manual<\/a>, Donkey Kong is referred to as Cranky\u2019s grandson.<\/p>\n

Essentially, this means the Donkey Kong depicted in Rare\u2019s Donkey Kong Country and onwards is actually the third generation of Donkey Kong, aka the son of Donkey Kong Jr. and another unknown Kong.<\/p>\n

What does the Donkey Kong lineage tell us about Pauline?<\/h2>\n

With this context in mind, it\u2019s easier to imagine that there are also multiple generations of Pauline at play. In the arcade game, Pauline is only referred to as \u2018the Lady\u2019 or \u2018Beautiful Girl\u2019 and is seen with blonde hair.<\/p>\n

This is a different look from the mayor Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey, who has brown hair. While this might be a simple character redesign, or a flight of fancy with some hair dye, references to the original blonde Pauline can be seen on billboards within New Donk City. <\/p>\n

Again, it might be a nod disconnected from any narrative cohesion, but the New Donk City Festival in Super Mario Odyssey \u2013 where Mario replicates the arcade Donkey Kong game under spectacular fireworks \u2013 is referred to as the \u2018story of our city\u2019s beginnings\u2019. As such, this implies New Donk City was established after the original arcade game.<\/p>\n

By extension it\u2019s possible Mayor Pauline is a descendant of the blonde Pauline, i.e. Pauline in Bananza is the daughter of Mayor Pauline and the granddaughter of the original arcade Pauline. The evidence for this is super thin but it could mean both Bananza protagonists are third generation offspring of parents with very limited imagination when it comes to naming their children.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

So going off of some dialogue spoken in game, this seems to be the updated continuity with DK Bananza<\/a>
byu\/TheHeavyClaw<\/a> indonkeykong<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

This is certainly the most satisfying theory, but there\u2019s also a strong chance the teenage Pauline is a younger version of the mayor in Super Mario Odyssey, which would place Donkey Kong Bananza as a prequel. That would mean Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey is possibly the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline, and Nintendo just skipped a generation for some reason.<\/p>\n

A question in Super Mario Odyssey supports this theory somewhat. During a quiz for a power moon, Pauline asks Mario \u2018which of these things did I actually do a long time ago?\u2019 where the correct answer is \u2018captured by ape\u2019. While many assumed this was a reference to the events of the original arcade game and Cranky Kong, it\u2019s possible this refers to Void Kong and Donkey Kong Bananza\u2019s events \u2013 which is a nice bit of recontexualisation. <\/p>\n

Perhaps the most disturbing ramification of all this is, if you buy into the theory of multiple generations, is where does this leave Mario? Is Jumpman the grandfather of the Mario seen in Super Mario Odyssey? Is he an immortal being untethered to time itself? Perhaps thankfully, these are not questions which Bananza concerns itself with.<\/p>\n

So where does this all fit in relation to Donkey Kong Country?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

I put together a general timeline of Events in the Mario\/DK Universe taking Bananza into consideration.<\/a>
byu\/Espurreyes<\/a> indonkeykong<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Based on the inclusion of King K. Rool, Donkey Kong Bananza is set after the events of all three Donkey Kong Country games, and 1999\u2019s Donkey Kong 64. Redditor Espurreyes, who subscribes to the theory that Donkey Kong Bananza is a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey, has laid out a convenient timeline of the main Donkey Kong games above.<\/p>\n

Of course, there\u2019s not enough evidence from Nintendo to roll out a definitive chronology of Donkey Kong\u2019s lineage, or exactly when all the games are set, but if you enjoy pondering the family tree of a fictional ape dressed in a tie, consider your needs served. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Donkey\t<\/div>
We all need a lie down after that (Nintendo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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