Donkey Kong Bananza Pauline Easter Egg is Clever Callback to the Original Arcade Game

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In the game “Donkey Kong Bananza,” Pauline is making a comeback, and she’s carrying a subtle tribute to her debut more than four decades past. When the initial previews and marketing materials for “Donkey Kong Bananza” were released, attentive fans noticed a girl resembling Pauline accompanying DK. True enough, a younger version of her is present in “Donkey Kong Bananza” to help direct the ape and utilize her musical skills. In this game, Pauline finds herself imprisoned in the subterranean world of Ingot Isle and aims to escape by having a wish fulfilled at the planet’s core.

Fans of Nintendo for a long time may remember that Pauline has a deep history dating back to the initial Donkey Kong arcade game, where she was Mario’s first love interest who he had to save from the then-villainous DK. After Princess Peach entered the series, Pauline made occasional appearances until her full comeback in Super Mario Odyssey of 2017. Since then, Pauline has been appearing more frequently in various Mario games, with her latest role being as a playable character in Mario Kart World.

Fans, such as Reddit user MRampo, have pointed out an intriguing reference in the new Donkey Kong Bananza trailers to Pauline’s early days. At a certain point in these trailers, Pauline is seen dancing on stage in a manner similar to her older self’s dance from Super Mario Odyssey. This dance resembles the movements of her sprite in the original Donkey Kong game, suggesting that the studio behind Super Mario Odyssey may also be working on Donkey Kong Bananza.

Donkey Kong Bananza’s Pauline Dance Calls Back to the Original DK Game

Previously mentioned, in the game Donkey Kong Bananza, Pauline appears younger than the traditional version fans are accustomed to. She brings along a variety of musical talents to assist DK in his journey to retrieve the fabled Golden Bananas. As demonstrated in previous footage of Donkey Kong Bananza gameplay, Pauline can utilize her melodies to transform DK into new powerful states and even direct the simian protagonist towards his upcoming goals.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t contain my excitement! The long-awaited release of “Donkey Kong Bananza” is just around the corner on July 17th. Nintendo Switch 2 enthusiasts won’t have to endure much more waiting before they can join DK and Pauline in their subterranean adventures. With hints of nostalgia lingering in the air, “Donkey Kong Bananza” promises a treasure trove of Easter eggs from past games. Already confirmed are appearances by beloved characters such as Diddy Kong and Cranky Kong, along with the iconic beat of the DK Rap. I can hardly wait to dive back into this classic world!

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2025-07-06 20:05