Pauline | Pretty Teen

Pauline's naming is a story of its own. She was named after , the wife of Nintendo of America’s warehouse manager at the time, Don James. While her initial role was limited to being Mario's first love interest, her iconic red dress and brunette hair eventually became a staple of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. Redefining the "Pretty Teen" Version

: Her iconic performance of "Jump Up, Super Star!" which brought fans back to her arcade roots. pretty teen pauline

The Evolution of Pauline: From Arcade Damsel to Teenage Icon Pauline's naming is a story of its own

While the phrase "pretty teen Pauline" can refer to different contexts, it is most prominently linked to the , who was introduced as a "young girl" or "damsel-in-distress" in the original 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. More recently, the spin-off game Donkey Kong Bananza (2025) officially introduced a teenage version of her. Donkey Kong series

Whether she is the teenage narrator in Bananza or the sophisticated mayor of a metropolis, Pauline represents a character who has successfully outgrown her initial limitations. No longer just a "pretty face" to be saved, she has evolved into a multi-dimensional hero who reminds players of Nintendo’s rich history while leading the charge into its future. If you’d like, I can:

Long before Princess Peach became the face of the Mushroom Kingdom, there was Pauline. Known simply as "Lady" in her 1981 debut, she was the original damsel-in-distress, held captive atop a construction site by Donkey Kong while a young Mario (then "Jumpman") raced to her rescue. For decades, Pauline remained a nostalgic footnote, but recent years have seen her transformed from a captive into one of Nintendo’s most versatile characters. The Origins of a Nintendo Legend