Pauline makes her return in Donkey Kong Bananza, and Nintendo has officially unveiled the age of this iconic character in her latest appearance. Shortly after the game's announcement in April, eagle-eyed fans spotted a familiar face resembling Pauline from the original Donkey Kong arcade game and Super Mario Odyssey in leaked promotional artwork. Nintendo later confirmed her inclusion during a recent Nintendo Direct presentation.

In Donkey Kong Bananza, Pauline initially appears to DK as a stone-like entity called Odd Rock. However, she's soon revealed to be a young girl trapped in the enigmatic underground realm of Ingot Isle. To escape this strange world, she teams up with DK on a quest to reach the planet's core, where legends speak of a wish-granting power. Observant fans have noted that Pauline appears significantly younger than in previous games, fueling speculation that Donkey Kong Bananza might serve as a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey.

While the prequel theory remains unconfirmed, Nintendo has clarified Pauline's age in Donkey Kong Bananza. According to the official Japanese Nintendo Store page (via NintendoLife), Pauline is described as a "13-year-old girl who loves to sing." Her profile reveals she once lived above ground before being mysteriously transported to the underworld and transformed into the Odd Rock creature that DK encounters during his search for the legendary Golden Bananas.

Partnering with DK on their core-bound journey, Pauline brings unique skills to aid the heroic ape. Her "Make Music" ability serves dual purposes: guiding DK to objectives and breaking mysterious seals obstructing their path. Her singing also triggers DK's new transformations, including the Kong Bananza, Ostrich Bananza, and Zebra Bananza forms.

Pauline's inclusion creates an intriguing callback to DK's arcade debut, where he played the villain kidnapping Pauline from Mario. Their dynamic has flipped in this new adventure, with Pauline now serving as DK's ally. Her youthful appearance raises fascinating questions about the series' timeline that may be answered when Donkey Kong Bananza launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17.