Donkey Kong Bananza, DK’s first 3D platformer in over 26 years and the first in this millennium, had its own dedicated Direct this morning. Tons of new information was revealed, but one important fact was confirmed for the new game. You may recall a leak back in April, shortly after the Switch 2’s Direct where Bananza was also revealed.
While the official art showed Donkey Kong with the new character Odd Rock, cover art posted by Nintendo of Korea (via Resetera) showed a younger Pauline in its place. This led to speculation that Odd Rock was actually a younger version of Pauline and that she was somehow transformed into this craggy creature. This turned out to actually be the case, although it’s still unknown why she has become Odd Rock.
This also brings up questions about the timeline. Pauline was an adult in Super Mario Odyssey and in Bananza, she’s a child, with the goal of returning to the surface. But the other characters, like Cranky Kong, look the same age as they’ve always been. Nintendo timelines can be confusing at times!
Donkey Kong Bananza releases in just under a month, on July 17th, 2025.
Watch the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct
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Written by Roberto Diaz
Embark on a gaming odyssey with a passionate player deeply immersed in pop culture. Roberto not only conquers virtual realms but also dominates the pop music scene, turning life into a harmonious adventure filled with gaming triumphs and cultural insights.
