Latest news with #Mario
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Donkey Kong Bananza timeline explained: is it a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey?
The storyline of Donkey Kong Bananza has sparked numerous fan theories but what is the truth of the DK timeline and is Pauline the same one from Super Mario Odyssey? Nintendo has always played fast and loose when it comes to story connections between games, but that hasn't stopped fans from trying to apply logic to the increasingly nonsensical. The most notorious example is the The Legend Of Zelda, which encompasses multiple timelines and obscure multiplayer spin-offs. Nintendo has admitted it only considers this timeline 'to an extent' during development, as it doesn't want to restrain creativity based on whether or not a version of Link triumphed over Ganon in 1998. Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 arcade game of the same name, alongside Pauline (no, it wasn't Princess Peach) and 'Jumpman' (later renamed as Mario). You might think an ape who throws barrels at a plumber doesn't have much complex lore to stew over, and you'd be very correct, but the latest entry Donkey Kong Bananza has thrown up some curveballs for anyone who loses sleep over the origins of Cranky Kong. Before we dive in, here's a warning that there will be significant spoilers for the ending of Donkey Kong Bananza below. Very significant spoilers, in fact, so please don't ruin the (excellent) ending for yourself by mistake. While Donkey Kong Bananza isn't heavy on narrative, there's one major twist towards the end of the game. Void Kong may have been sold as the game's big baddie, but King K. Rool is the true final boss. The classic DK nemesis, who was last featured in 2007's Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber on the Nintendo DS, is found trapped underground, before inevitably escaping. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. King K. Rool steals the Banandium Root and after Donkey Kong and Pauline defeat him, he steals it once again and uses it to corrupt a human city on the surface (aka New Donk City from Super Mario Odyssey). When you beat him again, he is sent flying away. After completing the post-game content, Donkey Kong and Pauline use the Banandium Root to ascend to the surface, as the latter wishes to sing onstage at City Hall. 'Grandmother will be so proud,' she remarks. The final shot shows artwork of Pauline performing onstage in New Donk City. While the game features a 13-year-old Pauline, it's not clear if it's the same Pauline who is the mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. In fact, there's some evidence (albeit, tenuous) to suggest Donkey Kong Bananza is actually a sequel to Mario's adventure, and not an origin story for the singing mayor, as many originally assumed. Throughout Donkey Kong Bananza, teenage Pauline makes various references to her grandmother, who we never see. In one key scene, where the pair encounter Diddy and Dixie Kong in the Racing Layer, Pauline tells DK, 'I'm glad you got to see your friends again! But if I don't get home, Grandma will worry.' The identity of Pauline's grandma is never confirmed but there are several convincing theories. However, to understand the madness, some context is required on the history of Cranky Kong, aka Donkey Kong's alleged grandfather. While there has been conflicting details over the years, the prevailing theory is that the Donkey Kong who kidnapped Pauline in the original arcade game is actually Cranky Kong. In Donkey Kong Bananza, there's even some evidence to support this, as the elder ape makes a reference to an old rival who wore overalls. 'In my day, rivals had charisma… even in overalls!' he remarks. This is a reference to Mario, or Jumpman as he was known in the arcade version of Donkey Kong. The sequel was 1982's Donkey Kong Jr., which (if we're following the Cranky theory) features Cranky and Wrinkly Kong's son, as he tries to save his kidnapped father from Mario – in a reverse spin on the original premise. A bone of contention is whether the Donkey Kong depicted in 1994's Donkey Kong Country is actually Donkey Kong Jr. or Donkey Kong Jr.'s son. However, according to the Donkey Kong Country manual, Donkey Kong is referred to as Cranky's grandson. Essentially, this means the Donkey Kong depicted in Rare's Donkey Kong Country and onwards is actually the third generation of Donkey Kong, aka the son of Donkey Kong Jr. and another unknown Kong. With this context in mind, it's easier to imagine that there are also multiple generations of Pauline at play. In the arcade game, Pauline is only referred to as 'the Lady' or 'Beautiful Girl' and is seen with blonde hair. This is a different look from the mayor Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey, who has brown hair. While this might be a simple character redesign, or a flight of fancy with some hair dye, references to the original blonde Pauline can be seen on billboards within New Donk City. Again, it might be a nod disconnected from any narrative cohesion, but the New Donk City Festival in Super Mario Odyssey – where Mario replicates the arcade Donkey Kong game under spectacular fireworks – is referred to as the 'story of our city's beginnings'. As such, this implies New Donk City was established after the original arcade game. By extension it's possible Mayor Pauline is a descendant of the blonde Pauline, i.e. Pauline in Bananza is the daughter of Mayor Pauline and the granddaughter of the original arcade Pauline. The evidence for this is super thin but it could mean both Bananza protagonists are third generation offspring of parents with very limited imagination when it comes to naming their children. This is certainly the most satisfying theory, but there's also a strong chance the teenage Pauline is a younger version of the mayor in Super Mario Odyssey, which would place Donkey Kong Bananza as a prequel. That would mean Pauline in Super Mario Odyssey is possibly the granddaughter of Arcade Pauline, and Nintendo just skipped a generation for some reason. More Trending A question in Super Mario Odyssey supports this theory somewhat. During a quiz for a power moon, Pauline asks Mario 'which of these things did I actually do a long time ago?' where the correct answer is 'captured by ape'. While many assumed this was a reference to the events of the original arcade game and Cranky Kong, it's possible this refers to Void Kong and Donkey Kong Bananza's events – which is a nice bit of recontexualisation. Perhaps the most disturbing ramification of all this is, if you buy into the theory of multiple generations, is where does this leave Mario? Is Jumpman the grandfather of the Mario seen in Super Mario Odyssey? Is he an immortal being untethered to time itself? Perhaps thankfully, these are not questions which Bananza concerns itself with. Based on the inclusion of King K. Rool, Donkey Kong Bananza is set after the events of all three Donkey Kong Country games, and 1999's Donkey Kong 64. Redditor Espurreyes, who subscribes to the theory that Donkey Kong Bananza is a prequel to Super Mario Odyssey, has laid out a convenient timeline of the main Donkey Kong games above. Of course, there's not enough evidence from Nintendo to roll out a definitive chronology of Donkey Kong's lineage, or exactly when all the games are set, but if you enjoy pondering the family tree of a fictional ape dressed in a tie, consider your needs served. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: The average Nintendo fan is around 30 years old according to new data MORE: New Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch 2 teased on LinkedIn claim fans MORE: Ubisoft confirms new Ghost Recon as it responds to Stop Killing Games petition
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
TRADITION MEETS PLAYING TOGETHER THIS DIWALI AS NANAK FOODS AND NINTENDO CELEBRATE FAMILY CONNECTION
SURREY, BC, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - In a delicious celebration of family, tradition, and fun, this Diwali, Nanak Foods and Nintendo of Canada invite Canadian families to gather around timeless Indian favourites like Rasmalai, Gulabjamun and Aloo Tikki, while creating unforgettable family moments with the magic of the Nintendo Switch 2 system. Diwali is a time for light, laughter, and meaningful connection—a celebration that brings families and friends together in the warmth of shared traditions. This festive season, by pairing delicious, ready-to-enjoy Nanak dishes with the joy of light-hearted competition and cooperative play on Nintendo Switch 2, this collaboration aims to celebrate the moments that bring us all together. Whether it's sharing the joy of playing with Mario and friends - available on Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch ™, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch Lite systems- or savouring the rich tastes of India, it's about celebrating the little moments and creating lasting family memories. To keep the fun going, from August 1 to October 31, 2025, Nanak Foods are giving Canadians the chance to win the new Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle *, so families can experience the magic of playing together. The system is home to a variety of exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of games, including Mario Kart Word, Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV. Have family living abroad? No problem! With the addition of GameChat ** on Nintendo Switch 2, players can talk like they are in the same room, even if they're miles apart. Whether sharing a victory or just waving hello with the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, GameChat makes it feel like online friends are right there on the couch in your living room. Nintendo is not a sponsor, co-sponsor, or administrator of this contest. * Limited-time production through Fall 2025 (available while supplies last). ** Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately. Until March 31, 2026, GameChat can be used without a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required to use GameChat. About Nanak Foods Founded in 1997, Nanak Foods is North America's leading processor of traditional South Asian dairy-based foods. Specializing in paneer, ghee, yogurt, and a wide variety of ethnic appetizers and desserts, Nanak Foods operates CFIA-, FDA-, and EU-approved facilities that meet the highest standards of quality and food safety. Headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, with an additional production facility in Bellingham, Washington, Nanak brings the authentic taste of South Asia to households across the globe. Committed to innovation and community, Nanak is currently expanding in a new 300,000 state-of-the-art facility in South Surrey to enhance its product offerings and support continued growth.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Donkey Kong Bananza slashed to less than £50 with a simple Argos stack
Donkey Kong Bananza is the latest Nintendo Switch 2 game to be released and has been getting rave reviews - here's how shoppers can get the game for less than £50 Donkey Kong Bananza has finally hit the shelves, and after a relatively quiet period for the Nintendo Switch 2, the game has been met with outstandingly positive reviews. As of now, Metacritic shows an impressive score of 91/100, peppered with numerous 9/10 ratings from various review platforms, signalling that this is a must-have title. However, we're all too aware of the hefty price tags attached to Nintendo's first-party Switch titles - but fear not, as we've found a way for bargain hunters to snag the game at the lowest price out there. Argos is offering Donkey Kong Bananza for £64.99, but savvy shoppers can reduce that figure to just under £50 - making it the most wallet-friendly option available at the moment. This is possible thanks to TopCashback, which offers a £15 discount on Argos' asking price and even offers extra cashback. But how can Donkey Kong enthusiasts secure this deal? No need to fret, as we're here to guide you through the process step by step. How to get Donkey Kong Bananza for less than £50 Begin by signing up as a new member via this TopCashback link or the Get Deal link below. Find Argos on the site and hit 'Get Cashback Now'. Shop and check out as usual on the Argos website and find Donkey Kong Bananza. Cashback will track and pop up in your TopCashback account within seven working days of the transaction. For new TopCashback members and Argos customers, the total comes down to £49.18, while existing Argos patrons will pay a smidgen more, at £49.45. Critics have been raving about the game. Jordan Minor from PCMag remarked: "With Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo puts the gorilla back atop the food chain. "After all, Donkey Kong was a video game star before Mario. Bananza leverages Nintendo's years of platformer experience and blends it with new action-adventure ideas to create the best 3D hop-and-bop title in some time. "The rich, innovative, and action-packed gameplay systems let you tear through the earth itself and dig your way to victory." Yet, the game hasn't been without its technical hiccups. They noted: "The terrain destruction system, with all the variables it must consider, probably would not have worked on a weaker machine. "In fact, I experienced frame rate drops when the screen was completely showered in particles. It reminded me of slowdown in old-school shmups when the screen filled with enemies and gunfire, or building an especially elaborate contraption in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom."
3 days ago
- Entertainment
Memory cafes at the National Comedy Center ignite laughter and connection for dementia patients
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. -- Side by side on a sofa inside the National Comedy Center, Gail and Mario Cirasunda chuckled at a clip from the 1980s sitcom 'Family Ties' that was playing on a TV screen. The show's oldest daughter, Mallory, was introducing her unconventional artist boyfriend Nick to her bewildered television family. 'I think our daughter brought him home once. Maybe two of our daughters!' Gail said with a laugh over coffee and donuts later. 'Five daughters, two sons,' her husband Mario, 85, chimed in. 'Sometimes I'd wonder,' he smiled, shaking his head at the memories of the couple's own family antics over their 59-year marriage. Moments like this are what brought the Cirasundas to the comedy museum in western New York and the memory cafe taking place inside. The monthly events invite people with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other memory loss, and their caregivers, to spend time at the interactive museum. For visitors like Mario, who has dementia, and his wife, the scenes and artifacts from funny shows and comedians have a way of triggering shared laughs and connection, and, as comedy center staff have found, memories. Gail, 78, treasures the moments when Mario — who still vividly recalls his childhood route to school and the names of old friends — also recollects experiences from their shared life. A 1965 blind date after Mario got out of the Navy led to seven children, 24 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, careers and moves. However, memories made over a lifetime together have become increasingly elusive over the past several years, since about the time Mario started to get lost driving and forget whether he likes a particular food. At a recent memory cafe, the Cirasundas, from suburban Buffalo, and others spent the morning walking through the museum that was inspired by 'I Love Lucy' star Lucille Ball in her hometown of Jamestown. Gail kept a guiding hand on her husband's elbow as they smiled through Johnny Carson bits from 'The Tonight Show' in the center's late night studio, browsed standup comic George Carlin's personal notes and comedian Bob Hope artifacts, and laughed out loud at a display of classic comedy props like the banana peel and pie in the face. During a break in the museum's restaurant, the 'Family Ties' video evoked scenes from real life. 'The moments are precious because he might not remember it,' Gail explained, 'but when you're there talking about it, you're remembering. Five minutes later, it's gone — but you had that moment.' The Alzheimer's Association estimates 7.2 million Americans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer's dementia, and an even higher number of people care for an impacted friend or family member. Memory cafes have emerged around the world in recent years as a way to connect and support individuals and caregivers, and provide information and resources. Many of the more than 600 cafes regularly running in the U.S. — often meeting in libraries and community centers — bring in speakers and engage participants with physical activity, music and art, all of which are good for the brain, experts say. The National Comedy Center held its first one earlier this year. It seemed a natural fit after staff heard from patrons about the museum's impact on their loved ones. Spokesman Gary Hahn sees the center as a kind of time machine, with exhibits memorializing comedy from Vaudeville to viral memes that can transport visitors back, no matter their age. Even before the formal memory cafes began, a visitor told the center's staff that his wife with dementia seldom spoke — but would become more verbal while walking through the museum and laughing alongside him. 'There was a stimulation of the part of the brain, whether it's because of the nostalgia or the comedy, that had an impact on her,' said Journey Gunderson, the center's executive director. Shelia Kennison, an author and psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, said humor positively affects physiology in many ways. 'It takes most of your brain to process what's being said or being shown to you and then to find the humor, and then once that happens, it sets off this cascade of brain activity and physiological changes that affects the whole body," said Kennison, who studies how humor is involved in cognition, memory and overall wellbeing. "So it really is a whole brain workout and a whole body workout when you get that really funny joke that makes you laugh and slap your knee and rock back and forth.' Laughter has always been important to Gail and Mario Cirasunda, whose children often gave their father Peter Sellers' 'Pink Panther' movies as gifts so they could see him laugh. 'Keep a sense of humor in your marriage,' Gail's boss told her before she got married. Even through the challenges, she said, she's followed the advice.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Memory cafes at the National Comedy Center ignite laughter and connection for dementia patients
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Side by side on a sofa inside the National Comedy Center, Gail and Mario Cirasunda chuckled at a clip from the 1980s sitcom 'Family Ties' that was playing on a TV screen. The show's oldest daughter, Mallory, was introducing her unconventional artist boyfriend Nick to her bewildered television family. 'I think our daughter brought him home once. Maybe two of our daughters!' Gail said with a laugh over coffee and donuts later. 'Five daughters, two sons,' her husband Mario, 85, chimed in. 'Sometimes I'd wonder,' he smiled, shaking his head at the memories of the couple's own family antics over their 59-year marriage. Moments like this are what brought the Cirasundas to the comedy museum in western New York and the memory cafe taking place inside. The monthly events invite people with Alzheimer's , dementia , or other memory loss, and their caregivers, to spend time at the interactive museum. For visitors like Mario, who has dementia, and his wife, the scenes and artifacts from funny shows and comedians have a way of triggering shared laughs and connection, and, as comedy center staff have found, memories. Gail, 78, treasures the moments when Mario — who still vividly recalls his childhood route to school and the names of old friends — also recollects experiences from their shared life. A 1965 blind date after Mario got out of the Navy led to seven children, 24 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, careers and moves. However, memories made over a lifetime together have become increasingly elusive over the past several years, since about the time Mario started to get lost driving and forget whether he likes a particular food. At a recent memory cafe, the Cirasundas, from suburban Buffalo, and others spent the morning walking through the museum that was inspired by 'I Love Lucy' star Lucille Ball in her hometown of Jamestown. Gail kept a guiding hand on her husband's elbow as they smiled through Johnny Carson bits from 'The Tonight Show' in the center's late night studio, browsed standup comic George Carlin's personal notes and comedian Bob Hope artifacts, and laughed out loud at a display of classic comedy props like the banana peel and pie in the face. During a break in the museum's restaurant, the 'Family Ties' video evoked scenes from real life. 'The moments are precious because he might not remember it,' Gail explained, 'but when you're there talking about it, you're remembering. Five minutes later, it's gone — but you had that moment.' The Alzheimer's Association estimates 7.2 million Americans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer's dementia, and an even higher number of people care for an impacted friend or family member. Memory cafes have emerged around the world in recent years as a way to connect and support individuals and caregivers, and provide information and resources. Many of the more than 600 cafes regularly running in the U.S. — often meeting in libraries and community centers — bring in speakers and engage participants with physical activity, music and art, all of which are good for the brain, experts say. The National Comedy Center held its first one earlier this year. It seemed a natural fit after staff heard from patrons about the museum's impact on their loved ones. Spokesman Gary Hahn sees the center as a kind of time machine, with exhibits memorializing comedy from Vaudeville to viral memes that can transport visitors back, no matter their age. Even before the formal memory cafes began, a visitor told the center's staff that his wife with dementia seldom spoke — but would become more verbal while walking through the museum and laughing alongside him. 'There was a stimulation of the part of the brain, whether it's because of the nostalgia or the comedy, that had an impact on her,' said Journey Gunderson, the center's executive director. Shelia Kennison, an author and psychology professor at Oklahoma State University, said humor positively affects physiology in many ways. 'It takes most of your brain to process what's being said or being shown to you and then to find the humor, and then once that happens, it sets off this cascade of brain activity and physiological changes that affects the whole body,' said Kennison, who studies how humor is involved in cognition, memory and overall wellbeing. 'So it really is a whole brain workout and a whole body workout when you get that really funny joke that makes you laugh and slap your knee and rock back and forth.' Laughter has always been important to Gail and Mario Cirasunda, whose children often gave their father Peter Sellers' 'Pink Panther' movies as gifts so they could see him laugh. 'Keep a sense of humor in your marriage,' Gail's boss told her before she got married. Even through the challenges, she said, she's followed the advice. Error! 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