A recent leak about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game, Donkey Kong Bananza, could significantly alter our understanding of the Donkey Kong timeline. A piece of artwork that surfaced online, reportedly from Nintendo of Korea, hints at the surprising inclusion of a beloved character previously unannounced for the game.

Could this character's involvement mean that Donkey Kong Bananza serves as a prequel not just to the classic Donkey Kong arcade game, but also to Super Mario Odyssey? The possibilities are endless—and perhaps a bit bewildering!

In the leaked artwork, Donkey Kong is accompanied by a mysterious purple crystal blob, referred to as "the Odd Rock." However, an earlier version of the artwork, which was quickly taken down, featured a youthful version of Pauline, a key character from the original Donkey Kong. Notably, this version of Pauline wears a bracelet matching the color and material of the Odd Rock, stirring up speculation among fans about her backstory and relation to Donkey Kong.

Pauline has been a staple in the Donkey Kong universe since her debut as Mario's damsel-in-distress in the 1981 arcade game and has evolved into a prominent figure, especially in Super Mario Odyssey where she serves as the mayor of New Donk City. However, the childlike proportions of the Pauline from the leaked artwork suggest a narrative that predates her adult appearances, potentially placing Donkey Kong Bananza before the original arcade classic.

This introduces a convoluted dilemma for fans and lorekeepers. The presence of Cranky Kong, who is portrayed as an old and wise figure in Bananza, adds another layer of complexity. As the original Donkey Kong, his interactions with Mario are well documented. Thus, if Donkey Kong Bananza indeed takes place in the past, how do we reconcile Cranky Kong’s established history?

The Donkey Kong timeline has always been notoriously disorganized. Nintendo has previously contradicted its own details about these characters, complicating any coherent understanding. Is Donkey Kong Bananza a precursor that highlights the early relationship between Pauline and Donkey Kong, or could it delve into magical transformations, where Pauline might somehow become the Odd Rock due to a curse from the antagonists known as VoidCo? Given that Odd Rock is persuaded to join Donkey Kong through music, it’s also an interesting angle given that Pauline has musical talent.

In a world where Mario and Luigi can interact with baby versions of themselves due to time travel—as established in 2005's Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time—anything seems possible. This raises the tantalizing thought: could a baby version of Pauline be running around in this fractured timeline as well?

Alternatively, the character spotted in the artwork might not even be Pauline! It could be a young relative embracing her iconic style, which might serve only to further baffle fans yearning for clarity in the franchise's narrative.

Ultimately, what is clear is that Nintendo may need to take a step back and reconsider the convoluted mess that is the Donkey Kong lore. Fans eagerly await more explanations about Pauline's role as we approach the game’s launch in July, but for now, it appears that whatever canonical clarity we hoped for may plunge us deeper into a temporal maze.

Will Nintendo choose to simplify this narrative or throw tantalizing wrenches into the timeline? Only time will tell—but for now, the buzz surrounding Donkey Kong Bananza is certainly electrifying! Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as we approach release!