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No. In the original Donkey Kong, the woman Donkey Kong kidnaps is Pauline, and Mario’s goal is to rescue her—not Princess Peach. Nintendo’s manual states: “Mario’s purpose: To save Pauline who has been kidnapped by Donkey Kong.”
Who does Donkey Kong kidnap in the original game?
It is Pauline. Nintendo’s instruction manual for Donkey Kong names her as the person Mario must save. The original game’s kidnapping plot does not identify Peach as Donkey Kong’s captive.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Switch | $52.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mario Vs. Donkey Kong™ - US Version | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Why does Donkey Kong kidnap Pauline?
In a 1994 developer interview published by Shmuplations on March 1, 2024, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto described the motive as provoking Mario: “He did that to get a rise out of Mario.” Miyamoto explained that Donkey Kong was annoying Mario by taking Pauline and running away. This is Miyamoto’s explanation in that interview, rather than a rule for every later game’s story.
Are Pauline and Peach the same character?
No. The original Donkey Kong identifies Pauline as the kidnapped character. Nintendo’s Mario character page describes Mario and Peach as good friends who help each other; it does not identify Peach as Pauline or as the woman in the original game’s kidnapping plot.
#1 Best Overall
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
The 1994 interview offers a separate, joking account of how the characters fit together. Miyamoto called Pauline Mario’s “pet” in the discussion and quipped, “I guess Mario met Peach there and his eye started to wander.” Interviewer Masayuki Kameyama characterized Pauline as Mario’s ex and said, “In other words, this takes place before Super Mario Bros.” These are comments from that interview, not a definitive timeline covering every later appearance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does that settle Pauline’s identity in every later game?
No. Later continuity questions are not all resolved by the original game or the 1994 interview. In a March 13, 2026 report, GamesRadar+ quoted Donkey Kong Bananza producer Kenta Motokura declining to settle young Pauline’s identity, saying it should be left to players’ imagination. That leaves a later character question open; it does not change who is kidnapped in the original Donkey Kong.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Jump and climb your way through over 130 puzzling levels as Mario to retrieve the Mini-Marios stolen by Donkey Kong
- Overcome obstacles like spikes, lava, and falling bricks to make it to the end of each level
- Revisit the original challenge in Classic Style, or try Casual Style for a more relaxed experience
- Play through two new worlds, featuring new environments, enemies, and game mechanics
- Join the action as Toad and work together in the newly-added co-op mode
Rank #2
- Donkey Kong, diddy Kong, dixie Kong and cranky Kong return for the franchise's debut on the Nintendo Switch system!
- This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a brand-new mode that lets new and novice
- Players Enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as Groovy surfing simian funky Kong.
- Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform Infinite rolls and even perform Infinite underwater corkscrews.
- Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can't slow him down.
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