3D Mario producer Kenta Motokura was recently asked an interesting question by Famitsu regarding the Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey and the Pauline in Donkey Kong Bananza. Mr. Motokura was asked whether they were one and the same character. Sadly, he wouldn’t really be drawn to comment on that instead asking the folks at Famitsu to use their vivid imaginations. That being said, Mr. Motokura did say that the developers “have a plan for it.”
“That’s… Of course, the developers have a plan for it, but I’m sorry, but I’d like you to use your imagination.” Also, when asked about the Grandmother Pauline speaks of in game: “Sorry, this too…”

I heard that Donkey Kong was Pauline’s uncle, and that Pauline travelled back in time 8000 years to meet him, apparently he was good with music, and she required inspiration which is why she was formed as a rock when she met him, and her modern singing ability impressed the natives. 😉
And you heard that where?
This is so weird I mean its obviously that’s its Pauline there’s too many tougne and cheek references to her coming up with her odyssey song, plus the diva dress.
I agree. Also I’d like to point out that after getting her wish at the planet core she is taken home to New Donk City. That’s what convinced me it was the same character.
Good for him. No more Hyrule Historia type narrating. Just let the fans elaborate on timelines and such to keep that stuff fun and interesting since Nintendo doesn’t take it all that seriously anyway
Fans will simply declare it as non-canon or AU if nothing connects. Ask Dragon Ball since 1995.
It’s because it doesn’t matter
Not for a sheep like you.
Preach!
It’s okay for kids games to have decent writing.
What doesn’t natter to some can matter a lot to others. It matters to me. Takes one partly out of the experience when they dont care about narrative and the world and everything.
It’s a video game, Jerry
Let him enjoy and care about it, Tim.
It’s not the same Pauline, then.
It’s still Pauline in a kid form. So we are not so dumb. That is a weird question to asked someone behind both games.
Based on those comments,i suspect there is another anniversary year title planned for DK 1981 or something that will involve a retelling of the original arcade where Mario and DK team up in a 3D platformer, after starting as rivals.
4chan is going to suffer as a result of this 😂😭
4chan suffers because it’s 4chan and the cesspool of the Internet.
This is stupid. Same Pauline in Odyssey, original Donkey Kong arcade and even the NES pinball game. She was a princess before Peach (Toadstool).
Arcade Pauline is oddessy Pauline
… Who is banana Pauline… It’s all the same Pauline. Mario was from Brooklyn mushroom kingdom and yoshis island…Mario series never cared about a canon timeline
What about Pauline in the original Donkey Kong game of 1983 or so — the one that debuted Mario himself?
I get that take, let fans imagine. But also, Cranky is talking about past adventures in Bananza, so some characters span multiple games and have an arch, just not the woman character. Honestly though timelines for nintendo games are not even worth trying, unless a specific entry has a direct sequel like metroid prime or breath of wild, and even that has holes.
Use my imagination, huh?
Fine. This game doesn’t exist, and Cranky never kidnapped Pauline.
You’re right that never happened because it was Void Kong that kidnapped Pauline 😁