Yes—in the original Donkey Kong story, Pauline was framed as Mario’s girlfriend. Later, a developer interview described her as his ex, but that interview treated the backstory playfully; neither source establishes their current romantic status.
Pauline was Mario’s girlfriend in the original Donkey Kong story
In a 2016 Nintendo interview, Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto described the story as Mario’s pet Donkey Kong kidnapping his girlfriend. That is the clearest answer to the title question: in the original story’s framing, Pauline was Mario’s girlfriend. Nintendo’s interview also says Mario would likely have been young and unmarried.
| # | 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 Returns (Renewed) | $23.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mario Vs. Donkey Kong™ - US Version | $49.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - Nintendo Switch | $52.20 | Buy on Amazon |
A 1994 developer interview called her Mario’s ex
A later interview about Donkey Kong for Game Boy gives a different point in the characters’ timeline. Asked directly whether Pauline was Mario’s girlfriend, director Masayuki Kameyama answered, “She’s his ex. (laughs)”
Miyamoto then joked that Mario may have met Peach in the Mushroom Kingdom and “his eye started to wander.” Kameyama described the game’s story as taking place before Super Mario Bros., adding that Mario probably gave Pauline “the flick” after becoming famous. The exchange is playful, not a detailed account of a breakup or a definitive plot chronology. The published 1994 developer interview transcript is best read as a humorous explanation of how the games might fit together, rather than proof of a specific breakup scene.
#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
Does Nintendo confirm their relationship today?
No current status is established by the sources cited here. Nintendo’s developer interview about Donkey Kong Bananza discusses Pauline’s role in that Nintendo Switch 2 game, but does not resolve whether she and Mario are romantically involved. Nintendo’s Bananza interview supports her connection to that game, not a claim about her present-day relationship with Mario.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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.
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
- -Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- -This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
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