Switch 2 exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza sees Nintendo’s big ape back centre stage – but it looks like a second character will also be sharing the limelight.
Artwork for the game uploaded to Nintendo Korea’s website briefly showed an alternative version of the Bananza’s main box art – with another character added in.
After the character was spotted, Nintendo swiftly replaced the artwork for the regularly version used elesewhere – but not before the internet took notice (thanks, ResetEra). If you don’t mind potential spoilers, read on…
Donkey Kong Bananza looks to feature a young version of Pauline, Nintendo’s original damsel in distress turned mayor of New Donk City, who has recently had something of a comeback in Mario games.
Is the inclusion of Baby Pauline – a version of the character not seen before – a sign that Donkey Kong Bananza acts as some kind of prequel? Are we going to get some previously-unrevealed Donkey Kong lore?!
Alternatively, some fans are wondering whether this character is a daughter of Pauline – though knowing Nintendo’s habit of making baby versions of its core cast, this seems less likely.
I played the opening of Donkey Kong Bananza on Switch 2 last week, and there was certainly no sign of Baby Pauline in the game at that point. That said, there were already signs that Nintendo fans would see several familiar faces. The game’s opening level, for example, lets you go find Cranky Kong.
The inclusion of Cranky Kong as well is interesting, as canonically he has always been treated as the original “Donkey Kong” from the series’ initial arcade game.
“Yes, everyone might have been expecting Mario, but Bananza’s brawny obliteration is far better suited to his one-time enemy,” I wrote after going hands-on with Switch 2.