Untangling the Mario and Donkey Kong Timelines – The Two Marios Theory

The Super Mario and Donkey Kong series have a long shared history, full of enmities, camaraderie, and goodhearted rivalry.

At the heart of it all, however, lies one large contradiction. Today, I’d like to address this issue, and introduce you to an important revelation.

Please join me in this journey of studies, revelation, and arbitrary conclusions, as I introduce you to undeniable proof that there are, in fact, two Marios in the Super Mario and Donkey Kong cannon.

## The Two Marios

First off, let’s establish some preliminary facts, by going back to where these characters began.

## Donkey Kong – 1981

## [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/Donkey\_Kong\_flier.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/14/Donkey_Kong_flier.jpg)

(Keep the cabinet art in mind, it’s going to be relevant later.)

This is the first appearance of both Donkey Kong and Mario. There are some important takeaways here:

**Fact 1: The original Donkey Kong, henceforth known as Donkey “Cranky” Kong Sr. is an adult ape in the early timeline.**

**Fact 2: At the time of Donkey Kong Arcade, Mario is an adult man.**

**Fact 3: Mario favors red overalls over a blue shirt.**

**Fact 4: Mario has a girlfriend named Pauline.**

**Fact 5: Mario works on a construction site.**

## Donkey Kong Jr. – 1981

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Donkey\_Kong\_Jr.\_arcade\_promotional\_flier.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Donkey_Kong_Jr._arcade_promotional_flier.jpg)

Moving right down release order, this game sees Donkey Kong Sr. captured by Mario and, if we are to follow lore materials, being treated rather poorly. In comes Donkey Kong Jr. to the rescue.

What can we glean here?

**Fact 6: Mario is capable of mistreating captive animals. (?)**

Considering the kind and heroic soul we know the modern Mario to be, this is a rather unusual revelation. Yes, I suppose he goes on to stomp and punch turtles all over, but those are acting agents under Bowser’s orders. This seems more like wanton cruelty than fighting back against an invading force. Let’s keep this in mind.

## Mario Bros – 1983

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4e/Mariobrothers.png](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4e/Mariobrothers.png)

Here, we meet Luigi, Mario’s brother. Before looking into him, however, let’s take some notes:

**Fact 3.2: Mario favors red overalls over a blue shirt in Donkey Kong, but blue overalls over a red shirt in Mario Bros.**

**Fact 5.2: Mario works on a construction site, then as a plumber.**

The change in clothes is easily explicable as simply varying his wardrobe, but what’s with the profession change?

Luigi’s presence also raises a question:

**Mystery A: Where was Luigi at the time of Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.?**

One would think that the heroic Luigi would join his brother in rescuing Pauline, and perhaps talk some sense into his animal-abusing brother?

Let’s keep that in mind as we move on.

## Wrecking Crew (1985)

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Wrecking\_Crew\_cover.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Wrecking_Crew_cover.jpg)

We see Mario as a solo act once more. What’s more, in the single player mode of Vs. Wrecking Crew, the arcade version, Luigi acts *against* him.

What more, Mario is back in the red overalls and blue shirt, and back at construction and demolition work.

This is getting very confusing, isn’t it? Let’s recap so far, adding our new knowledge.

**Fact 1: The original Donkey Kong, henceforth known as Donkey “Cranky” Kong Sr. is an adult ape in the early timeline.**

**Fact 2: At the time of Donkey Kong Arcade, Mario is an adult man.**

**Fact 3: Mario favors red overalls over a blue shirt when working on construction sites, but blue overalls over a red shirt when working as a plumber.**

**Fact 4: Mario has a girlfriend named Pauline.**

**Fact 5: Mario works on a construction site sometimes and as a plumber at other times.**

**Fact 6: Mario’s brother Luigi is a helpful ally while working as a plumber, but has an unexplained enmity when working as demolition workers.**

**Mystery A: Where was Luigi at the time of Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.?**

**Mystery B: Why is Luigi opposing Mario in Vs. Wrecking Crew, and absent in Wrecking crew?**

With that in mind, let’s move on.

## Super Mario Bros. series (Various)

[https://fs-prod-cdn.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/10\_share\_images/portals\_3/2×1\_SuperMarioHub.jpg](https://fs-prod-cdn.nintendo-europe.com/media/images/10_share_images/portals_3/2x1_SuperMarioHub.jpg)

In the interest of brevity, I’m rolling in together every ‘Mushroom Kingdom’ Mario game. If Donkey Kong isn’t involved at all and there’s no specific insights to be gleaned from other games, they’ll simply be counted here.

What do we learn?

Now that we’re getting a good look at Mario, he’s looking somewhat younger, isn’t he?

Look at that smiling mug above. Does this look like the same “Jumpman” who went up against Donkey Kong Sr.?

Must be an art shift, right?

Let’s table that for now.

**Mystery C: Why does Mario suddenly look much younger?**

Mario’s back in the blue overalls, and on excellent terms with his brother. Why, we’re just flipping back and forth, aren’t we?

## Super Mario Kart (1992)

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Supermariokart\_box.JPG](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Supermariokart_box.JPG)

Looks like Mario and pals are getting along great, and it seems that Donkey Kong Jr. is along for the ride.

Hm.

I don’t know about you, but if a man held my father captive and mistreated him, then used all kinds of traps to stop me from rescuing said father, I wouldn’t exactly want to go karting with him.

Admittedly, Bowser is also here, but… You know Bowser, he’s a big doofus when he’s not actively being a villain.

**Mystery D: Why does Donkey Kong Jr. happily join the Kart racing with Mario and pals?**

Okay, it’s been a big journey to get here, but we’re getting to the heart of the mystery. This is the big one.

## Donkey Kong Country series (1994+)

[https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/4/4f/Crankys\_Video\_Game\_Heroes\_DKC2.png](https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/4/4f/Crankys_Video_Game_Heroes_DKC2.png)

Here, we are introduced to a key figure, and someone who causes our entire timeline to unravel.

Enter Donkey Kong. Again.

Showing up alongside Donkey “Cranky” Kong Sr., it’s the son of Donkey Kong Junior, henceforth known as **Donkey Kong III**. This is the heroic ape we all know and love.

But… wait a minute.

Old Cranky’s looking like age has been taking a toll, hasn’t he?

Mario, though? Mario’s looking fresh as a daisy. If anything, he’s significantly younger than the old ape’s former nemesis.

What’s up with that?

This is where it all comes together.

The inexplicable return to youth. The flipflopping wardrobe and occupation. The convoluted brotherly relationship.

It all points to a simple conclusion:

This isn’t the same Mario. This Mario is Mario “Super” Mario Jr., son of Mario “Jumpman” Mario Sr., and brother of Luigi Mario.

Let’s go over the facts with that in mind:

**Fact 1: The original Donkey Kong, henceforth known as Donkey “Cranky” Kong Sr. is an adult ape in the early timeline.**

**Fact 2: At the time of Donkey Kong Arcade, Mario “Jumpman” Mario Sr. is an adult man.**

**Fact 3: Mario Sr. favors red overalls over a blue shirt. Mario Jr. favors blue overalls over a red shirt.**

**Fact 4: Mario Sr. has a girlfriend named Pauline, who may or may not be Mario Jr. and Luigi’s mother.**

**Fact 5: Mario Sr. works on construction sites. Mario Jr. works as a plumber and adventurer.**

**Fact 6: Mario’s brother Luigi is an ally to his brother but has opposed his father in the past.**

**Mystery A: Where was Luigi at the time of Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr.? – ANSWERED: Luigi was not born yet.**

**Mystery B: Why is Luigi opposing Mario in Vs. Wrecking Crew, and absent in Wrecking crew?**

**POTENTIALLY ANSWERED: Because Luigi has some issues with his father. Potentially, Mario Sr. treats children the same way he treats captive animals. In either case, this is no longer contradictory with other facts.**

**Mystery C: Why does Mario suddenly look much younger?**

**ANSWERED: Because this isn’t the same Mario, but his son.**

**Mystery D: Mystery C: Why does Donkey Kong Jr. happily join the Kart racing with Mario and pals?**

**ANSWERED: This isn’t the Mario who oppressed his father. Perhaps they were finding common grounds and making amends between their families?**

It’s all coming together.

When you look at it through this lens, everything makes sense.

Don’t believe me, let’s rapid fire through some more games:

## Mario’s Tennis (1995)

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/Mario%27s\_Tennis.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e9/Mario%27s_Tennis.jpg)

Once again, Donkey Kong Jr. is happy to hang with Mario Jr. and Luigi. Clearly, they haven’t let their fathers’ enmity get in the way.

## Mario Tennis (1995)

[https://outsidergaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mario-Tennis-Player-Select.jpg](https://outsidergaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mario-Tennis-Player-Select.jpg)

Donkey Kong III joins in the fun. Why does Jr. look and act younger than his son, though? Is this just timey-wimey nonsense?. Baby Mario (Jr.) is here alongside his adult self, so that could explain it, but…

**Mystery E: How does Donkey Kong Jr. look and act younger than Donkey Kong III?**

Donkey Kong III goes on to appear in many, many Mario spinoffs, but these have nothing notable to add to this theory.

## Yoshi’s Island DS. (2006)

[https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/616MQCAF11L.\_AC\_SX425\_.jpg](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/616MQCAF11L._AC_SX425_.jpg)

Well look at that, here’s Donkey Kong III as a baby, alongside Baby Mario “Super” Mario Jr., confirming the above timey wimeyness of Mario Tennis.

## Mario Vs. Donkey Kong series (various)

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/Mario\_vs.\_Donkey\_Kong\_Coverart.png](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/Mario_vs._Donkey_Kong_Coverart.png)

This series of game sees Mario Jr. and Donkey Kong III at similar antics to their fathers, but with one very notable difference: Donkey Kong here is acting out of misguided desire, rather than fury and anger. In each and every one, the game ends with an apologetic Donkey Kong being consoled and often presented with a consolation prize.

While Mario Jr. does keep his simian counterpart in check, this is far closer to tough love than it is to enmity.

What about Pauline, though?

If Pauline is Mario’s mother, or at least his father’s former lover, what’s going on here?

Let me ask you simply:

[https://cdn.staticneo.com/w/donkeykong/Pauline.PNG](https://cdn.staticneo.com/w/donkeykong/Pauline.PNG)

[https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/1/11/MKT\_Artwork\_Pauline.png](https://mario.wiki.gallery/images/1/11/MKT_Artwork_Pauline.png)

Do these two look like the same woman to you?

There’s clearly two Paulines. Mario Jr.’s maybe-mother in blonde, and the mayor of New Donk City in brunette.

Let’s follow up on that:

## Super Mario Odyssey (2017)

[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/Super\_Mario\_Odyssey.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8d/Super_Mario_Odyssey.jpg)

Mayor Pauline is here again alongside Mario Jr. and Luigi. Furthermore, New Donk City holds references to both the arcade original and Donkey Kong Country, suggesting that this takes place following Donkey Kong III’s adventures.

We know that Donkey Kong III’s adventures have already happened. This means that some of New Donk City’s streets were named following these adventures.

Either Mayor Pauline is a different woman from the original Pauline, or enough years have passed for Donkey Kong Sr. has aged enough to become the cantankerous elderly Cranky Kong while Pauline hasn’t aged a single day.

The ‘two paulines’ hypothesis simply works much, much better with the timeline.

This leaves us with just one thorny question to answer:

## Donkey Kong (Gameboy, 1994)

[https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/t\_share/MTc0NDU3MDQzMzI2MTQ5OTky/why-is-dk94-so-genius.png](https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/t_share/MTc0NDU3MDQzMzI2MTQ5OTky/why-is-dk94-so-genius.png)

From the visual presentation, this game undeniably features Donkey Kong III, Mario “Super” Mario Jr., and Mayor Pauline of New Donk City. Furthermore, the ending photo establishes a similar tone to the Mario vs. Donkey Kong game, that all is forgiven.

The question is: That little ape is is acting even more as a subordinate to Donkey Kong III than he did in Mario Tennis. Unlike Mario Tennis, we can’t even assume this is the same baby timewarp phenomenon as with Baby Mario.

Once again, we’re faced with Mystery E.

**Mystery E: How does Donkey Kong Jr. look and act younger than Donkey Kong III?**

I see one possibility here: This Donkey Kong Jr., the same as the one in Mario Tennis (64), is Donkey Kong “Junior” IV, who is named for his grandfather, Donkey Kong “Junior” II.

## Conclusion:

I believe we’ve hit every relevant game to scope out data points, and the verdict looks clear to me:

We’re looking at two Marios and four Donkey Kongs.

You might ask, though: What happened to Mario Mario Sr.? Where has he been?

My personal theory:

Getting a little too old for construction work, Mario Mario Sr. decided to go back to school and studied medicine.

[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ssb/images/1/16/Dr.\_Mario\_-\_Super\_Smash\_Bros.\_Ultimate.png](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/ssb/images/1/16/Dr._Mario_-_Super_Smash_Bros._Ultimate.png)

Education helped him mellow out and make amends with both his son and the Kong clan. Dr. Mario “Jumpman” Mario Sr. now works as a medical expert, curing viral infections and occasionally joining in the Super Smash Bros. tournament to hang out and duke it out with his children and his old nemesis’s successor.

by Cydrius