Time Travel Is Madness: Donkey Kong Multiverse Theory Explained

Donkey Kong Bananza didn’t just drop a new game. It dropkicked canon into a wormhole. Between young Pauline and old-school Boomer Kong showing up like it’s 1981 again, fans have one question: what timeline is this? Nintendo’s either pulling a fast one, or they’ve quietly opened the Donkey Kong multiverse.

If you noticed something weird (and you’re not alone), this deep dive is for you. We’ll break down the logic-defying characters, unpack the wildest fan theories, and help you prep for Bananza like a timeline-hopping pro. Because this isn’t your dad’s Donkey Kong. Actually… maybe it is? Sandbox design isn’t just about blocky worlds, see the full spectrum in our best sandbox PC games guide.

Bananza Dropped a Lore Anvil

Let’s start with the obvious: Boomer Kong is back, and he’s still ancient. But somehow, Pauline is young again, like the events of Super Mario Odyssey never happened. These two characters shouldn’t exist in the same era unless Nintendo’s messing with the timeline—or resetting it completely.

Boomer Kong was supposed to be the original arcade Donkey Kong, remember? Now he’s just lurking in the background like the good ol’ days, while Pauline looks like she walked out of a 1983 sprite sheet. The only way this makes sense? Either time-travel, or multiverse spaghetti.

Could It Be Time‑Travel?

This theory’s got legs or at least swinging vines. Fans on Reddit and YouTube are already spiraling down the wormhole: did Bananza bring Donkey Kong characters through time? Is VoidCo some kind of time-ripping corporation?

Let’s be real: Nintendo’s no stranger to timey-wimey nonsense (Zelda’s been doing it since the 90s). So it’s not that far-fetched. If you’re wondering how Boomer Kong and Pauline can co-exist, this might be your answer. The only problem? No one at Nintendo is confirming anything and they never will. That would make things too easy.

More Likely: Donkey Kong Just Got Rebooted

Here’s the Occam’s Barrel approach: Bananza is a soft reboot. Nintendo’s pulling a Marvel move , same characters, new context. New players don’t need to know what happened in Donkey Kong Country or Jungle Beat. You can just swing in and start over.

In fact, this is starting to feel more like a Donkey Kong: Odyssey than a sequel. The wild transformations, co-op mechanics, and dimension-defying set pieces scream “fresh start.” No lore baggage, no retcons needed. Just punch, morph, repeat.

What This Means for You (Yes, You)

If you’re a diehard fan still clinging to Rare-era canon, take a deep breath. Bananza isn’t here to erase your memories, it’s here to ignore them entirely. This is Donkey Kong for the Switch 2 generation.

• You don’t need to play Donkey Kong 64 again. (Thank bananas.)
• Transformations are the new power-ups. Think rhino Donkey Kong, zebra Donkey Kong, and probably toaster Donkey Kong if the devs get weird.
• Multiplayer actually matters now. Pauline isn’t just tagging along — she has unique inputs that make co-op less of a chore and more of a strategy.

Bananza Starter Checklist

Here’s how to prep if you’re jumping into Bananza with no timeline baggage but max chaos tolerance:

• Preorder early — especially if you want the amiibo. They’re going fast.
• Brush up on transformation forms. They’re not just cosmetic. Each one adds new traversal mechanics and secrets.
• Play co-op from the jump. Pauline adds mouse-style precision to the chaos, super handy in late-game levels.
• Watch for Easter eggs. Word is, some Banana Coins hint at VoidCo’s “timeline management.” Spooky.

So Is It a Multiverse or Just Nintendo Being Nintendo?

Yes. And that’s the beauty of it. We may never get an official statement, but that’s part of the fun. What we do know is this: Donkey Kong Bananza is wild, weird, and absolutely unchained. Whether it’s a reboot, a reimagining, or a reality-shattering event, one thing’s for sure, it’s a blast.

My advice? Don’t overthink it. Just grab your Joy‑Cons, pick your transformation, and dive headfirst into whatever timeline Nintendo’s tossing into this time.

Before You Swing Off…

If you’re into platformers that mess with your expectations, check out our Best New PC Games of 2025. Or if you want to prep your setup for the next wave of co-op chaos, here’s our full platformer reboot guide.

Also if you are into Roblox games? When you’re burned out on high-intensity games, Grow a Garden is the perfect low-stress alternative.

Got your own timeline theory? Drop it in the comments. Just… try to keep the banana puns under control. (Actually, don’t.)