Nintendo seems to have inadvertently leaked a major character reveal for the highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bananza, set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2. This recent slip-up has sparked a flurry of theories and speculation surrounding the game’s narrative, further fueled by a wealth of new information released since the game’s announcement. Notably, this isn’t the first time Nintendo has unintentionally unveiled crucial details about their upcoming titles in this launch window.
According to Eurogamer, an image of altered cover art for Donkey Kong Bananza was mistakenly uploaded to the Korean Nintendo website. This cover revealed a younger version of Pauline, replacing Donkey Kong’s purple companion, Odd Rock. Pauline, who has been a familiar face in various entries of the Donkey Kong and Mario franchises, recently starred as the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. While the image has since been taken down, it can still be viewed on ResetEra, shared by user NotLiquid.
Nintendo’s Frequent Accidental Leaks
A Pattern of Leaks
Leagues of accidental spoilers have plagued Nintendo of Korea. Just after the gameplay reveal for Mario Kart World, the Korean site prematurely disclosed Rainbow Road as part of the game, even though it hadn’t yet been confirmed through official channels. This particular leak concerning Donkey Kong is significant, given that it hints at deeper narrative implications.
Odd Rock, the purple companion, assists Donkey Kong during his adventurous quests for bananas, mirroring the role of Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey. However, this recent leak suggests that Odd Rock might play a pivotal role beyond mere assistance.
Intriguing Theories Regarding Baby Pauline
Is This a Prequel?
The introduction of a baby version of Pauline raises numerous questions. Historically, she was depicted as a damsel in distress in the original Donkey Kong game, which featured her being kidnapped by Donkey Kong. This new portrayal in Donkey Kong Bananza makes one wonder: Could this game serve as a prequel to both the Donkey Kong and Mario franchises? Donkey Kong’s redesign showcases a more expressive and less serious character—this could signify a narrative shift in the series.
How we transition from Odd Rock to Pauline remains uncertain. With Pauline’s last adult appearance alongside her role as a potential playable character in Mario Kart World, the theory of Donkey Kong Bananza being a prequel becomes increasingly plausible. Fans might finally uncover the reasons behind Donkey Kong’s actions in the original 1981 game upon the release of Donkey Kong Bananza in July for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Source: Eurogamer, NotLiquid/ResetEra