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[[Image:Pauline2.jpg|frame|right|Pauline, Mario's former girlfreind.]]
{{FA}}
'''Pauline''' (formerly known as '''Lady''') was the damsel-in-distress in the game ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''. She was, at the time, [[Mario]]’s girlfriend; however, she is not a princess, just a regular woman. In the game, Pauline is kidnapped by [[Donkey Kong]] (who is now, in fact, the elderly [[Cranky Kong]])) and taken to a construction site. Of course, Mario, who was then a construction worker, must rescue her. As he climbs to the top of the construction site, Mario can collect various articles Pauline has dropped, such as her purse or hat, for bonus points.
{{character infobox
|image=[[File:MK8D BCP Pauline artwork.png|135px]]<br>Artwork of Pauline for the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass]]''
|species=Human
|first_appearance=''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' ([[List of games by date#1981|1981]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]'' ([[List of games by date#2024|2024]])
|latest_portrayal=[[Kate Higgins]] ([[List of games by date#2017|2017]]–present)
}}
{{quote|I like music that brings people together and gets them moving!|Pauline|Super Mario Odyssey}}
'''Pauline''' (originally known as '''Lady''' or '''the lady'''<ref>''Donkey Kong'' {{file link|DK Arcade Instructions Card.png|instructions card}}</ref> and the '''Beautiful Girl'''<ref>''Donkey Kong Junior'' {{file link|DKJ Arcade Flyer Reverse.jpg|back flyer}}</ref>) is the damsel-in-distress in the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', the installment that marked her debut in both the ''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' and ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' franchises, along with [[Mario]] and her titular kidnapper (confirmed in later games to be a younger [[Cranky Kong]]). She was Mario's first love interest.


Pauline has not been heard from since, as she has been replaced by [[Princess Peach]] as Mario’s love interest. It is rumored that Pauline may be romantically involved with [[Stanley the Bugman]], but this is pure speculation.
After a long absence, Pauline reprises her damsel-in-distress role in the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (series)|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series]]. In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', she plays a prominent supporting role, being the mayor of [[Metro Kingdom|New Donk City]], as well as singing the theme song of the game, "[[Jump Up, Super Star!]]" She has since appeared as a playable character in various ''Mario'' spin-off games, such as ''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]'', ''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]'', ''[[Mario Strikers: Battle League]]'', ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', and ''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]''.


Pauline was named after the movie serial, ''The Perils of Pauline''. Much like her video game counterpart, the movie character Pauline constantly gets kidnapped.
Pauline is named after Polly James, wife of [[Nintendo]] of America's warehouse manager, {{iw|wikipedia|Don James (executive)|Don James}},<ref>{{cite|author=Sheff, David|language=en|date=April 15, 1999|isbn=0-9669617-0-6|title=''Game Over: Press Start to Continue: The Maturing of Mario''|location=Wilton, Connecticut|publisher=Gamepress|page=109}}</ref> a fact later confirmed by Don James himself at [[Nintendo]]'s E3 2018 [[Treehouse]] Live event.<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|date=June 15, 2018|url=youtu.be/nnu-EqVGRow?t=542|title=Arcade Archives Gameplay - Nintendo Treehouse: Live &#x7c; E3 2018|timestamp=09:02|publisher=YouTube|language=en|accessdate=July 12, 2024}}</ref> The name was chosen by Nintendo of America's president, {{iw|wikipedia|Minoru Arakawa}}, who mistakenly thought James' wife was actually called "Pauline".<ref>{{cite|url=www.wired.com/2012/02/gamelife-podcast-episode-18|title=Game{{!}}Life Podcast|publisher={{iw|wikipedia|Wired (magazine)|Wired}}|date=February 17, 2012)|accessdate=May 5, 2024|timestamp=52:15}}</ref>
[[Image:Pauline.PNG|frame|left|Help!.]]
 
[[Category: Characters]]
Pauline is currently voiced by [[Kate Higgins]], since ''Super Mario Odyssey''. She has been voiced in games prior to this, though her voice actors remain unknown.
==History==
===''Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Donkey Kong''====
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Lady, as the character was known at the time, makes her debut appearance in the 1981 arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' as one of the first damsels-in-distress in any video game.
 
Lady is kidnapped by [[Donkey Kong]], a pet who was owned by her boyfriend [[Mario]].<ref>{{cite|title="ドンキーコングの生みの親" 宮本茂独占インタビュー|publisher=Nintendo.co.jp|language=ja|accessdate=November 14, 2024|archive=web.archive.org/web/20000713055648/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0002/01/miyamoto.html|deadlink=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20161104171223/http://nintendo.com/nes-classic/donkey-kong-developer-interview|title=Developer Interview: Donkey Kong - Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition – Official Site|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> She is taken up onto a building and loses [[Pauline's lost items|various articles]] (such as her parasol, hat and bag, which can be collected for bonus [[Point]]s) on the way. Mario then climbs up the building, avoiding all the hazards in the way, to rescue her. However, when Mario reaches the top of the building, Donkey Kong grabs Lady and takes her higher up, forcing Mario to do another level. After four [[level]]s, Donkey Kong is trapped as Mario removes the [[Bolt (object)|bolt]]s from the platform, sending Donkey Kong plummeting. Lady is finally saved by Mario, and they share a special moment together.
 
She was originally intended to speak and two audio samples are buried in the arcade version's code.<ref>{{cite|url=tcrf.net/Donkey_Kong_(Arcade)#Unused_Sounds|title=''Donkey Kong'' (Arcade)|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> She was portrayed by actress Sally Klein in the 1982 commercial for the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and Intellivision ports.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzFCXfjuNjI|date=January 5, 2018|title=''Donkey Kong'' (Commercial, 1982)|publisher=YouTube|author=The Museum of Classic Chicago Television|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
{{br}}
 
====''Donkey Kong'' (Game & Watch)====
Lady also appears in the [[Game & Watch]] game ''[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong]]''. Like in the arcade game, she was kidnapped by the titular [[Kong]] and brought to a construction site, with the objective being to have Mario rescue her by cutting wires holding Donkey Kong's platform together.
 
====''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)====
[[File:DKGB Pauline Artwork.png|thumb|110px|Solo picture of Pauline from ''Donkey Kong'' for the Game Boy]]
Eventually, Pauline is given a revised appearance and is featured in the [[Game Boy]] rendition of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]''. Mario pursues Donkey Kong and his son [[Donkey Kong Jr.]] as Pauline is carried across a variety of locales. Once more, Pauline is eventually rescued by Mario. The two are then shown in a setting resembling the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] from ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', where Pauline supplies Mario with a [[Super Mushroom]]. Donkey Kong then attempts to best Mario one last time, but the tables turn when the crushed Mario lifts Donkey Kong as [[Super Mario (form)|Super Mario]], alarming his son. Afterwards, the group has their photo taken at one of the previous levels, [[Rocky-Valley]].
 
The Nintendo Character Manual used from 1992 to 1994 suggests that Pauline willingly reprises her appearance in this game, because of her belief that "life without Donkey Kong and Mario is pretty dull".<ref>{{cite|date=February 27, 2015|url=www.thatericalper.com/2015/02/27/the-official-nintendo-character-manual-from-1993|title=The Official Nintendo Character Manual From 1993|publisher=That Eric Alper|language=en|accessdate=May 8, 2023}}</ref>
 
===''Donkey Kong'' (coloring/activity books)===
[[File:DKSA Pauline.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Pauline singing at her club in ''[[Donkey Kong (coloring/activity books)|Donkey Kong Strikes Again!'']]]]
The earliest known appearance of the name Pauline in licensed print media comes from two series of activity books comprising of five books each released by Modern Promotions/Publishers in 1982 and 1983. One book from each series contain only activities while the other four has a plot. In the ''Donkey Kong'' series, Pauline is a singer at Video Land Amusement Park and is the subject of unrequited love from little Mario the carpenter and Donkey Kong, the new attraction. Donkey Kong breaks free and kidnaps her leading to Mario having to rescue her. In the sequel series ''Donkey Kong Strikes Again!'' she has become very successful and owns a club in which she also sings. Mario seeks out Pauline after Donkey Kong has escaped again because she is the only one he would listen to. This only leads to her being captured again.
 
This is the earliest depiction of her as a singer, predating the 1983 Japanese ads for the [[List of unreleased media|canceled Famicom game]] ''[[Donkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi]]'', where Lady would presumably act as the second player using a [[hammer]] to play the piano, and as the lead singer in the Donkey Band group (which would have utilized the microphone option for the Famicom). She would not be seen as a singer again until ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''.
{{br}}
 
===''Saturday Supercade''===
[[File:SS Pauline.png|thumb|upright=0.8|Pauline in an episode of ''Saturday Supercade'']]
Pauline appears as a regular character in the ''Donkey Kong'' episodes within the ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' show. Voiced by [[Judy Strangis]]<ref>http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Donkey-Kong/Pauline/</ref>, Pauline plays the role as Mario's assistant or partner and is often seen to be alongside him in the various episodes. The two work together to capture Donkey Kong throughout the series. Pauline can also be seen helping [[Stanley]] in the [[Greenhouse Gorilla|penultimate episode]].
 
A lookalike, [[Belle]], appears in the episode "[[Mississippi Madness]]".
 
===''Pinball'' / ''VS. Pinball''===
[[File:PinballPaulineSprite.png|frame|left]]
Lady,<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.com/store/products/arcade-archives-pinball-switch|title=Arcade Archives Pinball for Nintendo Switch|publisher=Nintendo Official Site|language=en-us|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> also referred to as Pauline<ref>''Pinball'' Nintendo Switch Online description</ref> and generically as '''a lady'''<ref name=PinNES>{{cite|date=1985|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo of America|title=''Pinball'' instruction booklet|page=8}}</ref> or '''the lady''',<ref name=PinNES/><ref>''Arcade Archives: Pinball'' in-game manual, Bonus Stage (P.05/10)</ref> appears in the [[Bonus Stage (Pinball)|Bonus Stage]] of ''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]'' and ''[[Pinball (game)|VS. Pinball]]''. Lady runs back and forth across the top of the screen. When the floor below her becomes too short for her to jump across, she falls down and must be caught by Mario before she hits the floor. If she reaches the exit, she reappears at the top of the screen. This is the first game depicting the character in her standard brunette appearance, rather than her blonde appearance.
{{br}}
 
===Family BASIC===
Lady is a usable sprite in the [[Family BASIC]] accessory for the [[Family Computer]]. The Family BASIC allows users to make their own programs. Her default appearance as seen on the Message Board is similar to ''Pinball'' but in Family BASIC V3, she appears in one of the mini-games sharing the same palette as Mario.
 
===''Super Mario-kun''===
[[File:DonkeyKong-MarioKun.jpg|100px|thumb|Lady in the 2nd volume of ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'']]
In the recap chapter found in the [[Super Mario-kun Volume 2|2nd volume]] of ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'', Lady is shown in her usual damsel-in-distress role in the context of the arcade ''Donkey Kong'' plot. When Mario comes to save her, he is so bruised up from the barrels he took to the face that Lady jumps in DK's arms, claiming "he is better."
 
Pauline appears in [[Super Mario-kun Volume 11|volume 11]] of ''Super Mario-kun'' for the Game Boy ''Donkey Kong'' chapter. She is described as a person whose appearance is "brighter" and "more gorgeous" than [[Peach]]. She runs a shop called "Pauline's Fashionable Store", that sells various Mario power-up suits. Donkey Kong later enters the store to buy a new tie. Mario recommends Donkey Kong to buy a collar. Donkey Kong gets furious and takes a tie and Pauline to the top of a construction site, locking her in a chamber. Mario and Yoshi defeat DK, but later have to search the key in the crumbled construction site they destroyed in the process.
 
===''Super Mario'' (Kodansha manga)===
In the ''[[Super Mario (Kodansha manga)|Super Mario]]'' manga anthology by Kazuki Motoyama, Lady appears in volume 15 where she is a mechanic that sells items and engine upgrades to Mario on credit so he can win a race in the ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' arc. She also rides with him and later Yoshi in a couple of short scenes. After his victory, she is one of the creditors who seizes his cash earnings. She returns briefly in volume 16.
 
Volumes 29 and 30 are a self-contained two volume story arc which covers the Game Boy rendition of ''Donkey Kong''. Pauline is the star acrobat at Peach's circus and regularly performs with Donkey Kong Jr., who was kidnapped by Peach from his island. When Donkey Kong frees his son, Junior convinces his father to take Pauline with them because he believes she is his mother. Mario, [[Luigi]], Peach, and [[Toad]] attempt to rescue her but in the end, Pauline decides to stay to take care of Junior. A decade later, after [[Bowser]] has extorted all of the circus' money, they head back to the island to get Pauline to return. She turns them down as she has gained weight and is happy on the island. Peach's circus is forced out of business.
 
===''Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special''===
[[File:Pauline-blast from the past.png|150px||thumb|Pauline kicking [[Donkey Kong]].]]
Pauline is featured in the ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]]'' comic "A Blast From The Past". The comic starts with a [[Ace investigative reporter|reporter]] coming into [[Cranky Kong]]'s cabin, asking if he recalls anything about Pauline. Cranky does, and proceed to tell the reporter about the last time he saw her.
 
Pauline is carried by [[Donkey Kong|a younger Cranky Kong]] as he climbs to the top of a construction site. She asks him why he likes to climb tall buildings, to which Donkey Kong replies it is something he saw in a movie. An [[electrician]] hears the commotion and also climbs to the top of the construction site, fearing Pauline may be in danger. After the electrician manages to startle Donkey Kong by popping out of the barrel he is holding, Pauline admonishes the two and proceeds to kick Donkey Kong, claiming she is tired of his antics and is looking for a way to "get even".
 
In the present, Cranky Kong ends his story, but the reporter reveals to him that Pauline wrote a successful book about the events, titled "''The Girl and the Gorilla''", and got a movie deal titled "''The Adventures of Pauline''". Furious at how he is depicted and with a promise from the reporter to be paid for telling his side of the story, Cranky Kong claims that he will tell the truth about Pauline, warning the reporter that "it isn't pretty". He proceeds to start talking about the first time he carried Pauline to the top of a building; however, the comic ends there.
 
===''Game & Watch Gallery'' series===
In ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]'' and ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 4]]'', Pauline herself does not appear in the Modern version of ''Donkey Kong'' (that role instead being taken over by [[Princess Peach]]), but she does appear in the game's Classic mode, re-enacting the same role as in the game.
 
===''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series===
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis''====
[[File:Pauline MvsDK2.png|thumb|150px|Pauline in ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis'']]
After twelve years of absence, Pauline makes her next reappearance in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]''. The game starts with the grand opening of the [[Super Mini Mario World]] theme park, where Pauline is Mario's guest of honor. The game's manual suggests that Mario and Pauline are just friends at this time.<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|quote=Mario’s glamorous friend.|title=''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis'' instruction booklet|page=7 (Pauline description)|date=2006|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> Donkey Kong is an employee of the [[Mario Toy Company]]<ref>{{cite|quote=The Mario Toy Company’s hairiest employee.|title=''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis'' instruction booklet|page=7 (Donkey Kong description)|date=2006|publisher=Nintendo of America|language=en-us}}</ref> who attends the opening. When he sees Pauline, he becomes infatuated and presents her with a [[Mini Donkey Kong]]. When she chooses Mario's [[Mini Mario (toy)|Mini Mario]] over his gift, however, Donkey Kong becomes enraged and kidnaps Pauline, escaping to the [[Roof (Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis)|roof]] of Super Mini Mario World.
 
After Mario defeats Donkey Kong on the roof, he opens a door to find Pauline surrounded by presents, revealing that she is safe. Pauline makes peace between Mario and Donkey Kong by accepting Donkey Kong's Mini.
 
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!''====
[[File:MvDKMMA Intro 9.png|thumb|left|150px|Pauline in ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!'']]
Pauline appears again in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!]]''. Once again, Pauline is assisting Mario in the opening of an expansion of [[Super Mini Mario World]]. However, Pauline is kidnapped by Donkey Kong after he is too late to receive a ticket to the expansion. Mario attempts to stop this, ripping Pauline's dress in the process, but Donkey Kong escapes to the roof with Pauline. Mario then sends the Mini Mario toys in pursuit of Donkey Kong to rescue Pauline.
 
Mario eventually reaches the top floor, where he opens a door to find Pauline by a window in a small room. However, Donkey Kong turns the lights off and escapes through the window with Pauline, and Mario once more gives chase through another round of floors. Once Mario makes it to the end of these floors, he finds Pauline in a similar room, but this time, she is holding a clipboard and standing happily next to Donkey Kong. She informs Mario that the Mini Mario toys have passed the test run, revealing that she was only kidnapped by Donkey Kong simply to test the performance of the toys.
{{br}}
 
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!''====
[[File:PAULINE_6.png|thumb|Pauline in ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!'']]
Pauline makes another appearance in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]'' Mario and Pauline are welcoming customers to the grand opening of [[Mini-Land]] by giving away [[Mini Pauline]] toys to the first 100 customers. Donkey Kong excitedly charges his way to the front wanting a Pauline Mini toy for himself, but when he arrives, Mario sternly tells him that they are out of stock. Donkey Kong becomes enraged and kidnaps Pauline instead, heading into the theme park. Mario once again gives chase immediately, with assistance from the Mini-Land toys.
 
After navigating the Minis though all the theme park's attractions, Mario locates Pauline standing just below a Ferris wheel. She welcomes Mario warmly before Donkey Kong surprises them both by jumping from the top of the Ferris wheel to scoop Pauline up once again, forcing Mario to pursue him through more of the theme park's attractions.
 
After chasing Donkey Kong through the theme park again, Mario finally finds Pauline once more under the Ferris wheel; this time, however, when Donkey Kong appears to confront him, Mario presents him with a Mini Pauline toy. Donkey Kong is overjoyed, and Pauline ultimately finds the whole thing very sweet. She makes her way to the Ferris wheel, where she, Donkey Kong, Mario, and the Minis enjoy a ride in celebration.
{{br}}
 
====''Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move''====
[[File:MDK MOTM Pauline Donkey Kong Hot Air Balloon.png|thumb|left|Pauline with Donkey Kong in ''Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move'']]
Pauline reappears in ''[[Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move]]''. Pauline is not kidnapped by Donkey Kong in this game; instead, she teams up with Donkey Kong to run a game arcade called Mini Arcade, as part of the Mini Toy Carnival hosted by the [[Mario Toy Company]]. In the Mini Games mode, Pauline congratulates players on their score alongside Donkey Kong at the end of a minigame.
 
Pauline's face appears as an icon in the [[Mini Target Smash]] minigame. Smashing a Pauline target can cause the player to lose 100, 200, or 300 points, depending on how far away the target is.
{{br}}
 
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars''====
{{multiple image
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Pauline briefly appears in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars]]''. In the game's intro cutscene, Pauline is kidnapped by Donkey Kong, although no motivation is given. Mario quickly gives chase with his Mini Mario toys, in hopes of rescuing Pauline.
 
In the game's ending cutscene, Pauline and Donkey Kong are revealed to have been giving Mario a surprise party.
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
{{main-wiki|SmashWiki|Pauline}}
Pauline appears in the Masterpiece demo of the original ''Donkey Kong'' included in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''. In every installment as of ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', one of Peach's alternate costumes depicts her with a red dress that is similar in colorization to Pauline's dress.
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
In ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', Pauline appears as a [[Sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|sticker]] that increases [[Diddy Kong]] and Donkey Kong's attacks.
 
====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U''====
A [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] of Pauline appears in both ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', while Pauline herself appears in the latter version in her original role in the ''Donkey Kong'' Masterpiece. Pauline is also alluded to in the Event match titled "1988": "DK and Diddy have gone back in time. Now Mario's angry at them for kidnapping Pauline...but he's got the wrong guys!" An additional inclusion is in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' where she is mentioned in one of the randomly generated tips that appear on loading screen or in the tips section in the Original Games / Settings category (shown with a blue border), and reads: "Mario's Ex-Girlfriend(?) The woman kidnapped by DK in the original Donkey Kong was Mario's first love, Pauline. Originally, she was just called "Lady." We've come a long way."
 
====''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''====
Pauline along with the [[Band (Super Mario Odyssey)|band]] appears in the background of [[New Donk City Hall (stage)|New Donk City Hall]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' if "Jump Up, Super Star!" is selected as the stage's background music. The song's vocals are absent at first, and Pauline appears randomly on a propeller platform as the stage's main platform ascends the tower. If a fighter jumps past her, she starts to sing, and later appears in the plaza with the rest of the band.
 
Pauline also appears as two Legend-class [[Spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)|spirits]]: one as a grab-type, {{iw|smashwiki|primary spirit}} together with Donkey Kong (under the name "Donkey Kong & Lady") using their original artwork, which slightly increases the power of grabs and throws when equipped; and one as a support spirit by herself using her artwork from ''Super Mario Odyssey'', which allows the user to recover health when an opponent attacks their shield. The latter can be obtained in the World of Light, where the player must defeat her puppet fighter, [[Princess Peach|Peach]], in 1 minute and 30 seconds while avoiding [[Mario]] with a [[Hammer]] (in his wedding outfit) and a giant [[Donkey Kong]] (in his red-furred alternate costume, resembling the original Donkey Kong) on [[75 m (stage)|75 m]].
 
===''Super Mario'' series===
====''Super Mario Odyssey''====
[[File:SMO-scrn-80sMarioPauline.jpg|thumb|Pauline with her band and Mario in ''Super Mario Odyssey'']]
Marking her debut in the main [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]], Pauline appears in ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' as the mayor of [[Metro Kingdom|New Donk City]] (addressed as '''Mayor Pauline''').
 
She first appears shortly after Mario arrives at New Donk City, where she, alongside several New Donkers, observes [[Bowser]]'s [[Airship]] in the sky and the city being hit by a rainstorm. She then explains to Mario she cannot talk with him at the moment because New Donk City is currently in a crisis: she explains that Bowser had arrived at the city and has been causing chaos, and admitted she was not impressed with him plastering posters advertising his planned wedding with [[Princess Peach]], stating it was "tasteless". Afterward, she then thanks Mario for saving the city as it meant everything to her, and invited him to set up the [[A Traditional Festival!|city festival]].
 
Prior to the upcoming city festival itself, Pauline asks Mario to help rebuild her band, for which she serves as the lead singer. After that, she then tasked Mario with checking out the underground power plant and restore power. Ultimately, by the time Mario arrived at the power plant, Pauline was present, as she decided to assess the situation herself and deduced Bowser was responsible for the sabotage. They then fixed the power together, and then she personally invited Mario for the New Donk City festival as the guest of honor to repay him for making the festival possible. She is the interpreter of "[[Jump Up, Super Star!]]", the theme song of the game. One of the dance moves she does during her performance mimics her sprite animation from the original ''Donkey Kong'' game. In addition, the reason she returns and acts as mayor of New Donk City is to avert the idea that the presence of a kingdom necessarily means that the people in charge are royalty.<ref>{{cite|url=www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/6h9s6l/hi_im_mr_koizumi_producer_of_super_mario_odyssey|title=Hi, I’m Mr. Koizumi, Producer of Super Mario Odyssey. AMA!|publisher=Reddit|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
 
She is later seen at the wedding between Bowser and Peach in the [[Wedding Hall]], being among various characters forced by Bowser to attend. When Mario arrives, she tells him he is "just in time."
 
In the post-game, Pauline is able to quiz Mario on facts about herself. She says that her hat is her favorite possession, she loves eating cake, and that her capture in ''Donkey Kong'' was "traumatic", although it helped her grow as a person. She also indicated that she had already seen [[Seaside Kingdom]] by the time she met up with Mario, and desired to see [[Cloud Kingdom]] next, due to it having "clouds that go on forever."
 
She later appears at [[Darker Side]] alongside the band and various other characters to root for Mario as he undergoes the rigorous challenge. After the [[Multi Moon]] is collected, she replaces her hat with a hat similar to that of Mario's own hat.
 
When the harder version of the final boss is beaten, Pauline appears on the picture with the other major characters of the game at the [[Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Odyssey)|Mushroom Kingdom]] that is rewarded to the player after the ending credits.
 
Her original design from the ''Donkey Kong''{{'}}s cabinet also makes a cameo in New Donk City as part of some graffiti art and, once the festival mission is completed, on various billboards. The graffiti was suggested to be a connection of New Donk City with the events of the original ''Donkey Kong'' game.<ref>{{cite|author=mario_odysseyJP|language=ja|title=「ニュードンク・シティ」の建物に描かれているグラフィティです。懐かしい人には懐かしい!?街の歴史に関係した絵なんです。|url=x.com/mario_odysseyJP/status/910985748341415936|publisher=X|accessdate=June 24, 2024|date=September 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite|quote=You might stumble across some graffiti in New Donk City. This piece has some kind of link to the city's history...|author=Super Mario UK|url=x.com/SuperMario_UK/status/918400873499365376|date=October 12, 2017|publisher=X|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
=====Quiz questions and answers=====
These questions are asked in a random order, and Mario must get four questions in a row right to pass.
<div class="contentbox mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"data-expandtext="Show questions and answers"data-collapsetext="Hide questions and answers">
{|class="wikitable responsive"width="100%"
!width="55%"|Question
!Answer 1
!Answer 2
!Answer 3
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What am I bad with?
|data-label="Answer 1"|Festivals.
|data-label="Answer 2"style="background:#99ff99"|Fixing machines.
|data-label="Answer 3"|Talking to people.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What do I plan to eat for dinner tonight?
|data-label="Answer 1"style="background:#99ff99"|Fried Mushrooms
|data-label="Answer 2"|Leaf Salad
|data-label="Answer 3"|Flower Stew
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What kingdom would I most like to visit right now?
|data-label="Answer 1"|[[Wooded Kingdom]]
|data-label="Answer 2"style="background:#99ff99"|[[Cloud Kingdom]]
|data-label="Answer 3"|[[Seaside Kingdom]]
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What kind of music do I like?
|data-label="Answer 1"|You don't like music.
|data-label="Answer 2"|Relaxing music.
|data-label="Answer 3"style="background:#99ff99"|Peppy music.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What do I do on my days off?
|data-label="Answer 1"|Garden!
|data-label="Answer 2"|Fix machines!
|data-label="Answer 3"style="background:#99ff99"|Practice singing!
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What is my most treasured possession?
|data-label="Answer 1"|A purse.
|data-label="Answer 2"style="background:#99ff99"|A hat.
|data-label="Answer 3"|An umbrella.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|Which of these things did I actually do a long time ago?
|data-label="Answer 1"|Raised sheep.
|data-label="Answer 2"|Wore raccoon suit.
|data-label="Answer 3"style="background:#99ff99"|Captured by ape.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What do you think my hobby is?
|data-label="Answer 1"style="background:#99ff99"|Going on walks.
|data-label="Answer 2"|Driving RC Cars.
|data-label="Answer 3"|Flower arranging.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|What do I just adore?
|data-label="Answer 1"|Machines.
|data-label="Answer 2"style="background:#99ff99"|Cake.
|data-label="Answer 3"|Flowers.
|-
|-style="background:#80808020"
|data-label="Question"|Give me your honest opinion-how am I doing as mayor of this city?
|data-label="Answer 1"|OK, I guess...
|data-label="Answer 2"|Badly.
|data-label="Answer 3"style="background:#99ff99"|Fantastic!
|}
</div>
====''Super Mario Run''====
A statue of Pauline appears as a [[List of Kingdom Builder items in Super Mario Run|building]] in ''[[Super Mario Run]]''. It was added for the ''Super Mario Odyssey'' event that ran between November 14, 2017 and November 19, 2017, and is based on her appearance in the New Donk City festival. It has since been made available through the Remix 10 mode. When the statue is tapped, it plays the last line of the chorus of "Jump Up, Super Star!". It cannot be tapped again until the line is almost finished.
 
===''Mario Tennis Aces''===
[[File:MTA SpecialShot Pauline.jpg|thumb|left|Pauline executes her "Showstopper" Special Shot]]
Pauline reappears in ''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]'' as a playable character that was first available by participating in the March 2019 tournament.<ref name=January>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiE4bmoXBkc|title=マリオテニス エース 新キャラ参戦決定!(チコ/ブンブン/ポリーン)|date=November 23, 2018|publisher=YouTube|language=ja|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> This marks her first fully playable appearance in the Mario spinoff game installments as a whole, as well as her first appearance in a ''Super Mario'' sports title. She wears a sport outfit akin to that of [[Princess Peach|Peach]], [[Princess Daisy|Daisy]], and [[Rosalina]]. She is classified as a Speedy type character, having the fastest movement in the game combined with low traction, but she is easily pushed back by returned shots. Her voice clips are reused from ''Super Mario Odyssey''. Her [[Special Shot (Mario Tennis Aces)|Special Shot]], named Showstopper, involves her dancing atop a building similar to the [[New Donk City Hall]] as it gets taller, with a crowd of [[New Donker]]s surrounding it; during this Special Shot, "Jump Up, Super Star!" plays. Her [[emblem]] resembles a pair of red lips stylized into a heart shape. Prior to version 3.0.0, Pauline's name was erroneously written entirely in capital letters in the English version.
{{br}}
 
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart Tour''====
[[File:MKT Pauline.jpg|thumb|Pauline in ''Mario Kart Tour'']]
Pauline makes her debut in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' as a High-End playable character. Although she was officially confirmed in the first episode of the ''Mario Kart Tour News'' video series on September 24, 2019 (one day prior to the game's release), her name was accidentally shown on the game's App Store story page on August 27, confirming that she would appear in some capacity,<ref>{{cite|url=x.com/Tracker_TD/status/1166531915320573954|author=@Tracker_TD|date=August 27, 2019|title=Although she’s not actually pictured, the preorder spotlight thing for Mario Kart Tour mentions Pauline. I’m gueeeeessing given the image shows off the costume gimmick for characters that she’ll be playable, assuming this isn’t an outright blunder|publisher=X|accessdate=June 24, 2024|language=en}}</ref> but was later removed.<ref>{{cite|url=apps.apple.com/gb/story/id1474913423|title=Get Ready for Mario Kart : App Store Story|publisher=Apple|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> Her [[Special Item (Mario Kart series)|special item]] is the [[Lucky Seven]]. She was introduced in the [[New York Tour]] as a tour-exclusive character, but starting with the [[Holiday Tour (2019)|2019 Holiday Tour]], she became a regular character, while also gaining her own [[Pauline Cup|self-themed cup]]. Additionally, she has a High-End variant called '''Pauline (Party Time)''', who wears a silver party outfit representing the New Year and also debuted in the 2019 Holiday Tour, with her special item being the [[Coin Box]]. This makes her the first newcomer in ''Mario Kart Tour'' to receive a variant in the game. A second variant for Pauline themed around Valentine's Day called '''Pauline (Rose)''' was introduced in the [[Peach vs. Daisy Tour]] as a High-End character, with the [[Fire Flower]] as her special item. Both of these costumed variants were added to regular tour pipes in the [[Battle Tour]]. A third variant for Pauline called '''Pauline (Cowgirl)''' was introduced in the [[Pipe Tour]], once again classified as a High-End driver. Her special item is the [[Boomerang Flower]].
 
Pauline and her variants usually have the [[Yellow Taxi]] and/or its variants as their signature karts. Her association with the [[Tour New York Minute|New York Minute]] tracks is most likely an indirect reference to her status as the mayor of New Donk City, which is based on New York City.
 
====''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
[[File:MK8D Pauline Biker.png|thumb|left|Pauline racing on [[Mario Kart Stadium]] in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.]]
Pauline was added to ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' as a playable character through the sixth and final wave of the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'' DLC, alongside [[Diddy Kong]], [[Funky Kong]], and [[Peachette]]. Here, her earrings are noticeably larger than in ''Mario Kart Tour''. Pauline also has a new alternate racing outfit when using bikes and ATVs, similarly to Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina, though with notable differences. She is among the lightest heavyweight characters, sharing statistics with Rosalina, [[King Boo]], and [[Link]]. A CPU controlled Pauline uses the same kart combination options as [[Mario]], which include the [[Standard Kart]], [[B Dasher]], [[P-Wing (kart)|P-Wing]], and [[Comet]].
 
===''Mario Golf: Super Rush''===
Pauline appears in ''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]'' as a Control character with average stats, marking her first appearance in the ''[[Mario Golf (series)|Mario Golf]]'' series. She sports a new golfing outfit with a newsboy cap. Her Special Shot is known as the Songbird Stinger and her Special Dash is known as the Diva Dash.
{{br|left}}
 
===''Mario Strikers: Battle League''===
[[File:MSBL Pauline artwork.png|thumb|Pauline in ''Mario Strikers: Battle League'']]
Pauline makes her ''[[Mario Strikers (series)|Mario Strikers]]'' debut in ''[[Mario Strikers: Battle League]]'', as a playable character added through the version 1.2.0 update alongside the returning Diddy Kong.<ref name=Update2>{{cite|author=Nintendo of America|language=en-us|date=September 13, 2022|url=youtu.be/w_Pl2V8hckE|title=''Mario Strikers: Battle League'' 2nd Free Update – Nintendo Direct 9.13.22 – Nintendo Switch|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=September 13, 2022}}</ref> Her strongest attributes are her strength and speed; without any gear applied on any characters, she has the highest strength statistic in the game. However, her other statistics rank among the worst in the game. Her team number is 7, and her [[Hyper Strike]] is Swing Solo.
{{br}}
 
===''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''===
[[File:Pauline Movie.png|thumb|right|Pauline being interviewed on TV]]
{{quote|Everything's under control, I promise you. We are very close to fixing this.|Pauline|The Super Mario Bros. Movie}}
Pauline appears as a minor character in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', in which she is the mayor of [[New York City]]. A {{file link|Giuseppe TSMBM.png|TV news headline}} states that she has been re-elected in a landslide victory. She wears the same outfit as in ''Super Mario Odyssey'', albeit without her hat.<ref>{{cite|author=@NE_Brian|date=November 28, 2022|url=nintendoeverything.com/super-mario-bros-movie-leaked-images-posters/nggallery/image/mario_bros_movie_poster_2|title=Lots of posters and images for The Super Mario Bros. Movie seemingly leaked|publisher=Nintendo Everything|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> She first appears in the movie in a TV interview, reassuring citizens that an issue of sewer flooding is under control and that they're close to fixing it, though she is instantly proven wrong when a manhole bursts like a geyser behind her, causing her to smile sheepishly. Near the end of the movie, she is among the crowd of citizens in Brooklyn congratulating [[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] for defeating [[Bowser]] and [[Bowser's Minions|his army]]. An update to the SMBPlumbing.com website after the film's June home video release revealed Pauline gave the Mario Brothers a "Key to the City" and proclaimed a day of celebration on June 13, 2023.
{{br}}
 
===''Super Mario Party Jamboree''===
Pauline debuts in the ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series as a playable character in ''[[Super Mario Party Jamboree]]''.  Like the game's other newcomer, [[Ninji]], she is unlockable by viewing her while in the Hot-Air Balloon.
 
===Other appearances===
Pauline never makes an appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'' itself, although the {{file link|DKJ Arcade Flyer Reverse.jpg|back flyer}} does reference Donkey Kong's earlier abduction of her, citing that Mario's motive for imprisoning Donkey Kong was namely to make sure Donkey Kong cannot abduct her or any other woman again. In addition, the arcade version's transition scene between the [[Jump Board Scene]] and [[Mario's Hideout]] has the titular son of Donkey Kong pursuing Mario's helicopter while riding a parasol resembling Pauline's parasol.
 
Pauline appears briefly at the beginning of a commercial for ''[[Mario's Cement Factory]]''.<ref>{{cite|language=en|title=Nintendo - ''Mario's Cement Factory'' Video Game Commercial - 1983|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkveNFgB0zo|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=July 23, 2022}}</ref>
 
Voice actor Jo Belle Yonely portrays Pauline for Ralston's [[Donkey Kong (cereal)|''Donkey Kong'' branded breakfast cereal]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGvDhBdClFY|title=''Donkey Kong'' Cereal Commercials Collection|author=Saturdaymorningfan|date=December 25, 2019|publisher=YouTube|language=en-us|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|url=www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Jo-Belle-Yonely|title=Jo Belle Yonely|publisher=Behind the Voice Actors|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
 
She appears in {{file link|G&WCM - Mario Bros. and Pauline.jpg|television}} and {{file link|G&W print ad.jpg|print}} advertisements for the [[Game & Watch]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss3gZ6yV79c|title=Nintendo Game And Watch (Commercial, 1983)|author=The Museum of Classic Chicago Television|date=March 4, 2008|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
 
Pauline is a pizza delivery girl in a retelling of the original ''Donkey Kong'' game in the ''[[Donkey Kong Goes Home]]'' album.
 
She was given an indirect mention in the ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]'' story ''[[Cloud Burst]]'', where Mario alluded to a past girlfriend who was comparable to [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]] as well as to some extent [[Luigi]] and [[Bowser]].
 
Although Pauline herself does not make an appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', she, and more specifically Cranky Kong's abduction of her in the original game was alluded to in the manual (intro in the GBA version) where Cranky, while lecturing Donkey Kong, said "Whisking off maidens and throwing barrels around the place seven days a week, I was."
 
Pauline, or more accurately her debut role, was given an indirect reference in ''{{iw|wikipedia|Baten Kaitos Origins}}'', where the character Guillo sarcastically asks Gibari, "What are you, some monkey who's run off with a pretty wench?" after witnessing the latter take out several guards with a barrel.
 
She appears in ''[[Game & Watch Collection]]'' in a recreation of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong]]'', serving the same role.
 
Pauline makes small appearances in the ''[[Nintendo Monopoly]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong Jenga]]'' board games.
 
Pauline also appears in both ''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]'' and ''[[WarioWare Gold]]'' in the microgame [[Donkey Kong (WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase)|Donkey Kong]], where she plays her role from the original ''Donkey Kong'' arcade game. She appears in the same stance in another [[Donkey Kong (WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!)|''Donkey Kong''-based microgame]] from ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''.
 
She also makes a cameo in ''[[Nintendo Land]]'', where she is seen in the background while playing the [[Donkey Kong's Crash Course]] attraction.
 
Pauline also appears in the Puzzle Swap panel "Nintendo Heroines/Starlets" in [[StreetPass Mii Plaza]], alongside Peach, [[Rosalina]], [[Zelda]], and Toon Zelda.
 
In ''[[NES Remix]]'', she appears in most of the challenges and remixes based on ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Pinball''. She also has the same role in ''[[Ultimate NES Remix]]'', which combined games from both ''NES Remix'' and ''[[NES Remix 2]]'' for Nintendo 3DS.
 
Pauline appears in ''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS)|Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo 3DS]] in a cameo on one of [[Uptown, Downtown]]'s billboards.
 
==General information==
[[File:PAULINE_3.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Pauline in the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' games]]
===Development===
Pauline's original design for the ''Donkey Kong'' arcade release was based on [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]'s artwork which graced the {{file link|DK Artwork Cabinet bezel.png|arcade cabinets}} and appeared in Japanese marketing material such as {{file link|DK Japanese Flyer.jpg|flyers}} and {{file link|DK 1981 alt print ad.jpg|print ads}}. His Lady is a blonde or orange-haired woman with long puffy hair wearing a deep pink to red strap dress and ankle-strap pumps of the same color. In her sprite in ''Donkey Kong'' for Game & Watch, she was given short curly orange hair, and had on a pink blouse and purple pants (in the ''Game & Watch Gallery'' versions, she instead has blonde hair and either a red dress, or otherwise a red blouse and yellow skirt depending on the specific game version).
 
While Miyamoto's rendition defined the appearance of Lady in Japan, the North American market was heavily influenced by her look in {{file link|DK Arcade Flyer Front.jpg|Zavier Leslie Cabarga's flyer}}. Coincidentally, both Miyamoto and Cabarga's designs for [[Mario]] and [[Donkey Kong]] were inspired by {{wp|Popeye}} and {{wp|Bluto}} respectively. However, Cabarga's muse for Pauline was {{wp|Betty Boop}}, albeit with a smaller head.<ref>{{cite|author=Ryan, Will|date=Spring 2022|url=issuu.com/ojaivisitorsguide/docs/ojaimagazine_spring2020/s/14834115|title=Zavier & Boop|publisher=Issuu|language=en|accessdate=September 4, 2024}}</ref> His Pauline has more of a wavy hairstyle and her cocktail dress is torn with her face expressing greater distress. Most ''Donkey Kong'' merchandise in North America from 1982 to 1984 was based on Cabarga's design. Some exceptions include Topps collectible stickers which depicted her with long orange-colored hair (she remains blonde in the packaging as it was designed by Cabarga).<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20200530194300/http://dimic.ikaryas.nl/2013/more-than-just-a-plumber/|title=More than just a plumber…|publisher=DIMIC|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024|date=August 2, 2013|author=Ikaryas}}</ref><ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20210121011917/https://vglegacy.com/pop-culture/1982-topps-donkey-kong-cards|title=1982 Topps Donkey Kong Cards|publisher=VG Legacy|language=en|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> In 1983, the debut of ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' revised Pauline's appearance to make her look more youthful. The last official use of Cabarga's flyer was for Ocean Software's ports of ''Donkey Kong'' for European home computers in 1986.
 
Since ''Donkey Kong'' for Game Boy, Pauline's appearance was updated closer to her more current appearance with only minor difference to her most recent look. This redesign was suggested in the American version of her ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Wii U'' trophy to be an attempt to differentiate herself from [[Princess Peach]]. Her original redesign gave her a ribbed-chest red halter neck dress, black Mary Jane high heels, dark brown hair, red lips and violet eye shadow. This appearance would be refined over the years to her final look.
 
In ''Super Mario Odyssey'', her face is slightly refined even more; her eyes, her head and her earrings are somewhat smaller than in the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' games and her face is more rounded, while her makeup is more vibrant. She is shown to be very tall compared to the other characters in the game (a feature shared with the New Donkers) and her waist is subtly wider. According to the developers, she was given a new design that reflected the current view of the world while handling the original features with great care.<ref>{{cite|url=x.com/mario_odysseyJP/status/1066812774351863809|title=おはようございます。こちらは「ポリーン市長」の最終デザインのスケッチです。歴史のあるキャラクターですので、元の特徴を大切にしつつ今作の世界観に合わせて新しくデザインしました!|language=ja|date=November 25, 2018|publisher=X|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> Subsequent games bring back many elements of her ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' appearance, resulting in a mixture between the two designs.
 
===Identity===
In the US, the name Pauline first appeared in 1982 through the [[Donkey Kong (coloring/activity books)|''Donkey Kong'' activity books]] and {{file link|Pauline figurine.jpg|Coleco's figurine}}. Her name was further spread through ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' and was eventually used in the MS-DOS, Apple II, Coleco Adam, and [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] ports; however, in Japan, she was still known as Lady in the [[Family Computer|Famicom]] version. Because the name Pauline was not used universally until her return in the Game Boy game where she was redesigned, the original version of the character and redesigned version were treated as separate characters in certain media in Japan, with the original version of the character being known as Lady and the new version being known as Pauline, although the two incarnations are never shown meeting together. This is likely due to the fact that Pauline was described as a "new heroine" when ''Donkey Kong'' for Game Boy was released in Japan,<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/qda/index.html|title=ドンキーコング|publisher=Nintendo|language=ja|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> despite the fact that [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] and game director Masayuki Kameyama acknowledged in an interview that Pauline was previously used as the name of Lady outside Japan, as well as stating that the game was intended to be a prequel to ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' since Pauline was Mario's "old flame" (昔の彼女) before meeting Peach.<ref>{{cite|title=任天堂公式ガイドブック ドンキーコング [Official Nintendo Guidebook: Donkey Kong]|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|language=ja|date=1994|isbn=4-09-102485-8}}</ref> Additionally, an early title screen uses the phrase "Save the Lady from Donkey Kong" from arcade materials,<ref>{{cite|author=Hard4Games|date=August 15, 2020|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSMcg6R4mnQ|title=Nintendo LaserDisc! {{!}} Nintendo Power Previews LaserDisc V7 Preservation|publisher=YouTube|accessdate= August 25, 2020. {{file link|Game Boy Save The Lady From Donkey Kong Title Screen.png|Screenshot}}}}</ref> further indicating that Pauline was intended to be Lady. After the release of the Game Boy game, the name Lady retained usage to refer to the original version of the character in Japan; for example, during [[The Cat Mario Show|the Cat Mario show]]'s coverage of some NES games, [[Cat Mario]], when asked by Cat Peach about the woman's identity, simply identified her as Lady.<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20160304040359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnvbv1MQ2_s|title=ニャニャニャ! ネコマリオタイム 第34回|language=ja|date=March 31, 2015|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>
 
[[File:Lady (Yoichi Kotabe).png|thumb|85px|left|Artwork of Lady from ''Mario Character Encyclopedia''.]]
In the ''[[Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten]]'', published in 1994 by Shogakukan, Lady and Pauline are given separate entries. Curiously, both of them have "New York" listed as their place of origin, but Lady's personality is described as "docile" (おとなしい) while Pauline's personality is "vigorous" (活発).<ref>{{cite|title=Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|language=jp|page=[https://imgur.com/pg-24-25-3OabVR8 24]}}</ref>
 
[[Super Mario (Kodansha manga)|Kazuki Motoyama's Super Mario manga]] introduced Lady during the ''Super Mario Kart'' story arc as Mario's childhood girlfriend who established an automobile repair shop and volunteers to become Mario and Luigi's mechanic during the kart race. Later on, during the ''Donkey Kong'' story arc, Pauline was introduced as an acrobat hired by Peach for her circus alongside [[Donkey Kong Jr.]]
 
Volume 2 of Yukio Sawada's ''[[Super Mario-kun]]'' featured a gag in which Lady leaves Mario for Donkey Kong. However, Volume 11 of the same manga would introduce Pauline as a clerk in a clothing store that Mario frequents with no mention of her having a prior romantic relationship with Mario (or Donkey Kong for that matter).
 
Within ''[[Nintendo Land]]'', the chalk drawing of the original design of the character is labeled as Pauline instead of Lady.<ref>''Nintendo Land'' internal filename (<tt>content/Common/Package/Dkb_Cmn.pack/Common/Model/Dkb_Chalk_Pauline.szs</tt>)</ref> Both ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]'' would then make it clearer to Japanese players that Pauline and Lady are indeed one and the same on Pauline's trophy description, though not in international releases. Similarly, in ''[[Nintendo Badge Arcade]]'', Arcade Bunny has dialog introducing the arcade character as Pauline instead of Lady, even in non-international releases.
 
Due to the initial name Lady sometimes being mistaken in translation as the generic word lady,<ref>''Donkey Kong'' {{file link|DK Instruction Page.jpg|instruction page}}</ref> Pauline has several naming discrepancies across media. In at least two print ads by UK distributor CGL for the [[Game & Watch]] version of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong]]'', Pauline was referred to as Louise.<ref>{{cite|url=archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_025_1983-11_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n137/mode/1up|title=''Computer & Video Games'' 25|date=November 1983|page=138}}</ref><ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20150128052757/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/16/promotional-consideration-multi-screen|title=Promotional Consideration: Multi Screen|author=Caoili, Eric|date=September 16, 2007|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> However, the instructions leave her unnamed. NES information packs, mailed as late as April 1986, referred to her as Paula instead.<ref>{{cite|author=Calvert, Darren|date=February 19, 2015|url=nintendolife.com/news/2015/02/the_nintendo_game_plan_-_how_the_nes_slowly_won_over_the_usa|title=The Nintendo Game Plan - How the NES Slowly Won Over the USA|publisher=Nintendo Life|accessdate=September 5, 2024}}</ref>
 
===Character description===
Pauline is depicted as having light blue eyes, which had a violet hue before her appearance in ''Super Mario Odyssey'', long wavy dark brown hair (slightly darker in ''Mario Golf: Super Rush''), and fair skin. She has large slanted eyes with four long eyelashes at the top and three smaller lashes at the bottom (a total of seven), coupled with long defined arching eyebrows. Her face is oval in shape with a triangular nose and pointed chin. She is typically shown wearing violet eye shadow, dark red lipstick, and matching nail polish.
 
Pauline has an hourglass figure, in comparison to other human female characters. She has been shown as average height when compared to other human women in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]], such as in [[nwiki:StreetPass Mii Plaza|StreetPass Mii Plaza]]'s "Nintendo Heroines/Starlets" 3D puzzle showing her to be as tall as Peach, but is also shown to be taller in other games like in ''Super Mario Odyssey'', where her overall proportions have been changed to match the New Donk City populace, making her particularly tall, especially in comparison to Mario. In ''Mario Tennis Aces'', she appears to be very slightly shorter than Rosalina and taller than Peach by the same amount. In ''Mario Kart Tour'', Pauline occupies the large kart driver classification like Rosalina.
 
===Clothing===
Pauline wears a fitted, ankle-length red halter-neck dress with a bow knot connecting the straps behind her nape and a low cut back, black high heels with ankle straps, small golden round earrings with a teardrop hanging from each, and a golden bangle on her left arm. Her dress has been depicted as torn in earlier artwork, most notably in ''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]]''. In ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', she also wears a red wide-brimmed hat, and her dress is also slightly sparkly; in the same game, as a mayor, she wears a red pantsuit and a purple hat with a red strap. This outfit also appears in ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''. Her other alternate outfits in later games such as in ''Mario Kart Tour'', ''Mario Tennis Aces'', and ''Mario Golf: Super Rush'' are variations of her usual outfit or draw their colors from it. In ''Mario Kart Tour'', she received three alternate outfits: Party Time, Rose, and Cowgirl. When driving a bike in ''Mario Kart'', Pauline wears a fitting white jumpsuit similar to those worn by Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina, and her hair is tied back in a low ponytail.
 
===Personality===
Until ''Super Mario Odyssey'', Pauline did not have much character development. She is shown to be friendly, happy, kind, and even business minded, seen when she tests the quality of the Mario Toy Company’s Mini Mario toys in ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!'' She is also quick to forgive others, especially apparent when it comes to Donkey Kong’s numerous abductions of her. She is also implied to enjoy games, which is shown when she opens a gaming theme park called Mini-Land with Donkey Kong in ''Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move''. Pauline also acts as a mediator between Mario and Donkey Kong. As mayor, she is apparently adept at city planning, as one of the residents of New Donk City mentioned that he was surprised at how fast she managed to get the city up and running again. In ''Super Mario Odyssey'' Pauline has been given more character (re)development overall. She enjoys peppy and jazz music because it brings people together, frequently practices singing to prepare for the next New Donk City Festival, has such a love for New Donk City that she often takes walks to admire it all, and also mentions she adores cake, stating that "It has to be 'good' cake and 'not that package stuff'". On another hand, however, she admits that she is not good at fixing machinery, and implies that she is also bad with flowers. She also goes on walks as a hobby due to her love for New Donk City and has indicated that she likes Fried Mushrooms and Flower Stew (the former due to being a massive Mushroom fan), but is not fond of Leaf Salad.
{{br|left}}
 
===Relationships===
[[File:PAULINE 11.png|thumb|120px|left|Pauline, Mario, and Donkey Kong getting along]]
While Mario and Pauline's relationship was implied to be romantic during the ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' arcade game and outright stated in most home port manuals, Pauline was soon dropped as Mario's love interest and replaced with Princess Peach. In the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series, it is stated that the two are friends, with her attending Mario's Mini Mario business and theme park events as a VIP, and his racing to her rescue when Donkey Kong kidnaps her at said events. Later, she takes a more active role in Mario's business ventures and helps run his Mini-Land theme park.
 
In these games, Donkey Kong has an unrequited crush on Pauline, flying into childish rages and kidnapping her when he feels rejected in favor of Mario or does not get what he wants. While Pauline is apprehensive of Donkey Kong when he kidnaps her, he never hurts her and she does not bear him ill-will for his impulsiveness (''[[Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special]]'' contradicts this however, where Pauline kicks Donkey Kong and threatens him with vengeance for ruining her dress and dragging her to the top of buildings), being quick to forgive him once Mario curbs his behavior and he shows remorse. Aside from the kidnapping incidents, the two get along well, and while Pauline does not return Donkey Kong's affections, it is implied that she finds his gestures sweet. In two instances, Pauline also plots with Donkey Kong for the latter to "kidnap" her in order to test the abilities of the Mini Mario line and lure Mario to a surprise party.
 
She is shown to not be fond of [[Bowser]], especially when his wedding plans resulted in New Donk City being attacked and him plastering billboards for his forced wedding to Peach all over the city (which she deemed tasteless, especially in light of the city's crisis). In addition, when Mario arrived at the [[Wedding Hall]] after Pauline and other characters were forced by Bowser to act as "guests" for the wedding, Pauline tells Mario that he was "just in time", implying she was not happy with Bowser forcing her to attend the wedding.
{{br}}
 
==Profiles and statistics==
{{main|List of Pauline profiles and statistics}}
===''Super Mario Run''===
====Item description====
*'''Pauline Statue:''' ''The singing mayor of New Donk City, immortalized in statue form.''
 
===''Mario Tennis Aces''===
*'''Type:''' Speedy
*'''Trick Shots:''' Spin Stroke (forward/backward), One-Up Girl (side)
*'''Special Shot:''' Showstopper
*'''Trait:''' Fastest movement with low traction and easily pushed back from returned shots
 
===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
{{spirit
|no=79
|name=Pauline
|image=[[File:SMO Art - Pauline.png|x100px]]
|series=''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' Series
|type=[[smashwiki:Support spirit|Support]]
|slots=2
|class=Legend
|effects=Healing Shield
|obtain=[[smashwiki:Adventure Mode: World of Light|World of Light]] ([[smashwiki:The Light Realm|The Light Realm]]); [[smashwiki:Spirit Board|Spirit Board]]
|opponents=[[Princess Peach|Peach]], [[Mario]], [[Donkey Kong]]
|conditions='''Rule:''' Jump Power ↓
*Defeat the main fighter to win
*You have reduced jump power
*Reinforcements will appear during the battle
|stage=[[75 m (stage)|75 m]]
|song=Jump Up, Super Star!
}}
{{Spirit
|no=137
|name=Donkey Kong & '''Lady'''
|image=[[File:SSBU_Donkey_Kong_&_Lady_Spirit.png|x80px]]
|series=''[[Donkey Kong (franchise)|Donkey Kong]]'' Series
|type=[[smashwiki:Primary spirit|Primary]]
|slots=3
|class=Legend
|effects='''{{color|limegreen|Grab}}'''<br>Throw Power ↑
|obtain=Spirit Board
|opponents=Giant Donkey Kong
|conditions='''Rule:''' Item Tidal Wave
*You lose if your CPU ally is KO'd ''(Peach)''
*The enemy has super armor and is hard to launch or make flinch
*Timed Stamina battle
|stage=75 m
|song=Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Jr. Medley
}}
 
==List of appearances==
{|class="wikitable sortable"width=100%
|-
!width=40%|Title
!width=25%|Description
!width=15%|Release date
!width=20%|System/Format
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''
|Non-playable character
|1981
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Crazy Kong]]''
|Non-playable character
|1981
|Arcade
|-
|''Crazy Kong Part II''
|Non-playable character
|1981
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)|Donkey Kong]]''
|Non-playable character
|1982
|[[Game & Watch]]
|-
|''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]''
|Non-playable character in bonus area
|1984
|[[Nintendo Entertainment System]]
|-
|[[Family BASIC]]
|Cameo in message board, programmable sprite
|1984
|[[Family Computer]]
|-
|Family BASIC V3
|Non-playable character in mini-game, programmable sprite
|1985
|Family Computer
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong Classics]]''
|Non-playable character in port of ''Donkey Kong''
|1988
|Nintendo Entertainment System
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]''
|Non-playable character
|1994
|[[Game Boy]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong (Nelsonic Game Watch)|Donkey Kong]]
|Non-playable character
|1994
|[[Nelsonic Game Watch]]
|-
|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]''
|Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch ''Donkey Kong''
|1998
|Game Boy, [[Game Boy Color]]
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong 64]]''
|Non-playable character in port of ''Donkey Kong''
|1999
|[[Nintendo 64]]
|-
|''[[nookipedia:Doubutsu no Mori (game)|Doubutsu no Mori]]''
|Non-playable character in emulation of ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Pinball''
|2001
|Nintendo 64
|-
|''[[nookipedia:Animal Crossing (GCN)|Animal Crossing]]''
|Non-playable character in emulation of ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Pinball''
|2001
|[[Nintendo GameCube]]
|-
|''[[Game & Watch Gallery 4]]''
|Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch ''Donkey Kong''
|2002
|[[Game Boy Advance]]
|-
|''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''
|Cameo in microgame
|2003
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!]]''
|Cameo in microgame
|2003
|Nintendo GameCube
|-
|''[[Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Junior/Mario Bros.]]''
|Non-playable character in port of ''Donkey Kong''
|2004
|Arcade
|-
|''[[Classic NES Series|Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong]]''
|Non-playable character
|2004
|Game Boy Advance
|-
|''[[Tetris DS]]''
|Cameo
|2006
|[[Nintendo DS]]
|-
|''[[Game & Watch Collection]]''
|Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch ''Donkey Kong''
|2006
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]''
|Non-playable character
|2006
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''
|Non-playable character in demo of ''Donkey Kong''
|2008
|[[Wii]]
|-
|''[[WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase]]''
|Cameo in microgame
|2009
|[[WiiWare]]
|-
|''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!]]''
|Non-playable character
|2009
|[[DSiWare]]
|-
|''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]''
|Non-playable character
|2010
|Nintendo DS
|-
|''[[Nintendo Land]]''
|Non-playable character in Donkey Kong's Crash Course
|2012
|[[Wii U]]
|-
|''[[Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move]]''
|Non-playable character
|2013
|[[Nintendo 3DS]] ([[Nintendo eShop|eShop]])
|-
|''[[Puzzle Swap]]''
|Cameo in Puzzle Swap image Heroines (Nintendo Starlets)
|2013
|Nintendo 3DS ([[StreetPass Mii Plaza]])
|-
|''[[NES Remix]]''
|Non-playable character
|2013
|Wii U
|-
|''[[NES Remix Pack]]''
|Non-playable character in ''NES Remix''
|2014
|Wii U
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' / ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]''
|Cameo as trophy
|2014
|Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
|-
|''[[Ultimate NES Remix]]''
|Non-playable character
|2014
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars]]''
|Non-playable character
|2015
|Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
|-
|''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|Non-playable character
|2017
|[[Nintendo Switch]]
|-
|''[[Super Mario Run]]''
|Cameo as statue
|2017
|iOS / Android
|-
|''[[Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS)|Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker]]''
|Cameo in a billboard in [[Uptown, Downtown]]
|2018
|Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[WarioWare Gold]]''
|Cameo in microgame
|2018
|Nintendo 3DS
|-
|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
|Non-playable character and as a [[Spirit (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)|spirit]]
|2018
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]'' (version 2.3.0)
|Playable character
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Tetris 99]]''
|Cameo in the ''Donkey Kong'' theme
|2019
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|Playable character
|2019
|iOS / Android
|-
|''{{wp|Ring Fit Adventure}}''
|Cameo
|2020
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]''
|Playable character
|2021
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Strikers: Battle League]]'' (version 1.2.0)
|Playable character
|2022
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' (''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'', Wave 6)
|Playable character
|2023
|Nintendo Switch
|-
|''[[Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition]]''
|Non-playable character
|2024
|Nintendo Switch
|}
 
==Quotes==
*"''Donkey Kong, [[Doug's Health Club|those guys]] are criminals! That was a prison break, not a health class!''" - ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' episode "[[The Great Ape Escape]]"
*"''Mario, come back here! Donkey Kong's getting away!''" - ''Saturday Supercade'' episode "[[How Much is That Gorilla in the Window?]]"
*"''Oh, uh, nice rhino...good rhino...bye, rhino! DONKEY KONG!''" ''Saturday Supercade'' episode "[[Hairy Parent]]"
*"''Oh Mario, my hero!''" - ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]''
*"''I'm sorry, but I really don't have time to chat right now. I need to figure out a way to save my city. Things have been in utter chaos since that [[Bowser|brutish monster]] showed up. And he has the nerve to be advertising this wedding of his all over New Donk City?! A bit tasteless, if you ask me."'' - ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
*"''New Donk City really means the world to me... I just can't thank you enough for all of your help, Mario!''" - ''Super Mario Odyssey''
*"''Go Mario! Jump, man!''" - ''Super Mario Odyssey''
*"''Just in time!''" - ''Super Mario Odyssey''
*''"I’ll be sure not to lose this one."'' - ''Super Mario Odyssey''
*"''I'm a 1-UP Girl!''" - ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
*"''Not too shabby!''" - ''Mario Kart Tour''
 
==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
DKNESDonkeyKongPaulineArt.png|''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''
PaulineHD.png|''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' ([[Game Boy]])
Pauline Transparent Figure.png|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
SMO Art - Pauline.png|''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
MTA Models Pauline.png|''[[Mario Tennis Aces]]''
MGSR Character Personalities - Pauline.png|''[[Mario Golf: Super Rush]]''
</gallery>
 
==Audio samples==
{{media table
|file1=DKGB Pauline Calls For Help.oga
|title1=[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|''Donkey Kong'' (Game Boy)]]
|description1="''Help, HELP!''" - When Donkey Kong takes Pauline to another level in [[Super Game Boy]] mode (Unknown, [[List of games by date#1994|1994]])
|length1=0:01
|file2=MvDKMMA Pauline Help.oga
|title2=''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!]]''
|description2="''Help, HELP!''" - When Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline (Unknown, [[List of games by date#2009|2009]])
|length2=0:01
|file3=MVDKMLM Pauline Calling For Help Audio.oga
|title3=''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]''
|description3="''Please, save me!''" - Before a boss level starts (Unknown, [[List of games by date#2010|2010]])
|length3=0:02
|file4=SMO Pauline Voice Yeah.oga
|title4=''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]''
|description4="''Yeah!''" - When Mario talks to Pauline when she is happy ([[Kate Higgins]], [[List of games by date#2017|2017]])
|length4=0:00
|file5=MKT Pauline Voice 1UP.oga
|title5=''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''
|description5="''I'm a 1UP girl!''" - When Pauline wins a race (Kate Higgins, [[List of games by date#2019|2019]])
|length5=0:02
}}
 
==Names in other languages==
<!--To edit this table, access the "List of Pauline names in other languages" page and go to the "Pauline" section.-->
{{main|List of Pauline names in other languages}}
{{:List of Pauline names in other languages|transcludesection=Pauline}}
 
==Trivia==
*"Lady" is Nintendo's third female video game character. She was preceded by ''[[Manhole (Game & Watch)|Manhole]]''{{'}}s "alarm lady"<ref>{{cite|deadlink=y|archive=web.archive.org/web/20220817143000/http://www.intheattic.co.uk/images/G&W/Review/Manhole/Manhole_MH-06_Page2-3.jpg|format=JPG|title=''Manhole'' instructions|page=3|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> released months earlier and another damsel-in-distress also called Lady in the 1979 arcade game ''{{iw|nwiki|Sheriff}}''. While the bezel art for the upright cabinets called this brunette Betty, the Japanese flyer,<ref>{{cite|url=flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=3423&image=2|title=''Sheriff'' flyer back|publisher=Arcade Museum|accessdate=June 24, 2024|language=en}}</ref> magazine ads,<ref>{{cite|url=archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19791201p/page/n12/mode/1up|title=''Game Machine''|date=December 1, 1979|page=24}}</ref> and reviews<ref>{{cite|url=archive.org/details/game-machine-magazine-19791115p/page/n14/mode/1up|title=''Game Machine''|date=November 15, 1979|page=28}}</ref> used Lady instead. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] worked on the art design for both ''Sheriff'' and ''Donkey Kong''.<ref>{{cite|url=iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/punchout/0/1/|title=Iwata Asks: Punch Out!!|language=en-us|publisher=Nintendo.com|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> In [[Family BASIC|Family BASIC V3]], Lady's embrace of Mario in one of the minigames reproduces a cutscene from ''Sheriff'' between Betty and the [[Sheriff (character)|Sheriff]].<ref>{{cite|url=youtu.be/4tAgYBfAOF4?t=1663|title=NES Game: Family BASIC (1984 Nintendo/Hudson)|publisher=YouTube|author=Old Classic Retro Gaming|date=July 6, 2016|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPreemTcUcQ|title="Sheriff" Music : 6 - Ending|author=All Nintendo Music|date=September 4, 2015|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref> Betty reappears in the [[Sheriff (minigame)|Sheriff minigame]] in ''[[WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!]]''.
*Pauline currently holds the record for the most years between a character's original debut and their first playable appearance in the ''Super Mario'' franchise, with nearly 38 years between ''Donkey Kong'' and ''Mario Tennis Aces''.
 
==References==
{{NIWA|SmashWiki=1}}
<references/>
 
{{navboxes|
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{{MVDKMMA}}
{{MVDKMLM}}
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{{SMO}}
{{MTA}}
{{MKT}}
{{MGSR}}
{{MSBL}}
{{TSMBM}}
{{MK8}}}}
[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Allies]]
[[Category:Mayors]]
[[Category:Playable characters]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (game)]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong (Game Boy)]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong characters]]
[[Category:Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move]]
[[Category:Mario Golf: Super Rush characters]]
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[[Category:Mario Strikers: Battle League characters]]
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[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]
[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!]]
[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!]]
[[Category:Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars]]
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[[Category:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate spirits]]
[[Category:The Super Mario Bros. Movie characters]]
[[de:Pauline]]
[[it:Pauline]]

Latest revision as of 16:14, November 27, 2024

Pauline
Pauline artwork from Mario Tennis Aces, later reused in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass and Super Mario Party Jamboree
Artwork of Pauline for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass
Species Human
First appearance Donkey Kong (1981)
Latest appearance Super Mario Party Jamboree (2024)
Latest portrayal Kate Higgins (2017–present)
“I like music that brings people together and gets them moving!”
Pauline, Super Mario Odyssey

Pauline (originally known as Lady or the lady[1] and the Beautiful Girl[2]) is the damsel-in-distress in the arcade game Donkey Kong, the installment that marked her debut in both the Donkey Kong and Super Mario franchises, along with Mario and her titular kidnapper (confirmed in later games to be a younger Cranky Kong). She was Mario's first love interest.

After a long absence, Pauline reprises her damsel-in-distress role in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. In Super Mario Odyssey, she plays a prominent supporting role, being the mayor of New Donk City, as well as singing the theme song of the game, "Jump Up, Super Star!" She has since appeared as a playable character in various Mario spin-off games, such as Mario Tennis Aces, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Mario Strikers: Battle League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Party Jamboree.

Pauline is named after Polly James, wife of Nintendo of America's warehouse manager, Don James,[3] a fact later confirmed by Don James himself at Nintendo's E3 2018 Treehouse Live event.[4] The name was chosen by Nintendo of America's president, Minoru Arakawa, who mistakenly thought James' wife was actually called "Pauline".[5]

Pauline is currently voiced by Kate Higgins, since Super Mario Odyssey. She has been voiced in games prior to this, though her voice actors remain unknown.

History

Donkey Kong series

Donkey Kong

Sprite of Pauline from Donkey Kong (Arcade)
Lady/Pauline
Lady
Lady
Lady
Lady as she appears in various different versions of Donkey Kong

Lady, as the character was known at the time, makes her debut appearance in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong as one of the first damsels-in-distress in any video game.

Lady is kidnapped by Donkey Kong, a pet who was owned by her boyfriend Mario.[6][7] She is taken up onto a building and loses various articles (such as her parasol, hat and bag, which can be collected for bonus Points) on the way. Mario then climbs up the building, avoiding all the hazards in the way, to rescue her. However, when Mario reaches the top of the building, Donkey Kong grabs Lady and takes her higher up, forcing Mario to do another level. After four levels, Donkey Kong is trapped as Mario removes the bolts from the platform, sending Donkey Kong plummeting. Lady is finally saved by Mario, and they share a special moment together.

She was originally intended to speak and two audio samples are buried in the arcade version's code.[8] She was portrayed by actress Sally Klein in the 1982 commercial for the ColecoVision, Atari 2600, and Intellivision ports.[9]

Donkey Kong (Game & Watch)

Lady also appears in the Game & Watch game Donkey Kong. Like in the arcade game, she was kidnapped by the titular Kong and brought to a construction site, with the objective being to have Mario rescue her by cutting wires holding Donkey Kong's platform together.

Donkey Kong (Game Boy)

Solo picture of Pauline from Donkey Kong for the Game Boy

Eventually, Pauline is given a revised appearance and is featured in the Game Boy rendition of Donkey Kong. Mario pursues Donkey Kong and his son Donkey Kong Jr. as Pauline is carried across a variety of locales. Once more, Pauline is eventually rescued by Mario. The two are then shown in a setting resembling the Mushroom Kingdom from Super Mario Bros., where Pauline supplies Mario with a Super Mushroom. Donkey Kong then attempts to best Mario one last time, but the tables turn when the crushed Mario lifts Donkey Kong as Super Mario, alarming his son. Afterwards, the group has their photo taken at one of the previous levels, Rocky-Valley.

The Nintendo Character Manual used from 1992 to 1994 suggests that Pauline willingly reprises her appearance in this game, because of her belief that "life without Donkey Kong and Mario is pretty dull".[10]

Donkey Kong (coloring/activity books)

Pauline as she appears in a 1983 issue of Donkey Kong Strikes Again!: Coloring & Activity Book.
Pauline singing at her club in Donkey Kong Strikes Again!

The earliest known appearance of the name Pauline in licensed print media comes from two series of activity books comprising of five books each released by Modern Promotions/Publishers in 1982 and 1983. One book from each series contain only activities while the other four has a plot. In the Donkey Kong series, Pauline is a singer at Video Land Amusement Park and is the subject of unrequited love from little Mario the carpenter and Donkey Kong, the new attraction. Donkey Kong breaks free and kidnaps her leading to Mario having to rescue her. In the sequel series Donkey Kong Strikes Again! she has become very successful and owns a club in which she also sings. Mario seeks out Pauline after Donkey Kong has escaped again because she is the only one he would listen to. This only leads to her being captured again.

This is the earliest depiction of her as a singer, predating the 1983 Japanese ads for the canceled Famicom game Donkey Kong no Ongaku Asobi, where Lady would presumably act as the second player using a hammer to play the piano, and as the lead singer in the Donkey Band group (which would have utilized the microphone option for the Famicom). She would not be seen as a singer again until Super Mario Odyssey.

Saturday Supercade

Pauline in Saturday Supercade
Pauline in an episode of Saturday Supercade

Pauline appears as a regular character in the Donkey Kong episodes within the Saturday Supercade show. Voiced by Judy Strangis[11], Pauline plays the role as Mario's assistant or partner and is often seen to be alongside him in the various episodes. The two work together to capture Donkey Kong throughout the series. Pauline can also be seen helping Stanley in the penultimate episode.

A lookalike, Belle, appears in the episode "Mississippi Madness".

Pinball / VS. Pinball

Lady

Lady,[12] also referred to as Pauline[13] and generically as a lady[14] or the lady,[14][15] appears in the Bonus Stage of Pinball and VS. Pinball. Lady runs back and forth across the top of the screen. When the floor below her becomes too short for her to jump across, she falls down and must be caught by Mario before she hits the floor. If she reaches the exit, she reappears at the top of the screen. This is the first game depicting the character in her standard brunette appearance, rather than her blonde appearance.

Family BASIC

Lady is a usable sprite in the Family BASIC accessory for the Family Computer. The Family BASIC allows users to make their own programs. Her default appearance as seen on the Message Board is similar to Pinball but in Family BASIC V3, she appears in one of the mini-games sharing the same palette as Mario.

Super Mario-kun

Super Mario-kun strip showing Donkey Kong, Lady and Mario. Lady prefers Donkey Kong over Mario.
Lady in the 2nd volume of Super Mario-kun

In the recap chapter found in the 2nd volume of Super Mario-kun, Lady is shown in her usual damsel-in-distress role in the context of the arcade Donkey Kong plot. When Mario comes to save her, he is so bruised up from the barrels he took to the face that Lady jumps in DK's arms, claiming "he is better."

Pauline appears in volume 11 of Super Mario-kun for the Game Boy Donkey Kong chapter. She is described as a person whose appearance is "brighter" and "more gorgeous" than Peach. She runs a shop called "Pauline's Fashionable Store", that sells various Mario power-up suits. Donkey Kong later enters the store to buy a new tie. Mario recommends Donkey Kong to buy a collar. Donkey Kong gets furious and takes a tie and Pauline to the top of a construction site, locking her in a chamber. Mario and Yoshi defeat DK, but later have to search the key in the crumbled construction site they destroyed in the process.

Super Mario (Kodansha manga)

In the Super Mario manga anthology by Kazuki Motoyama, Lady appears in volume 15 where she is a mechanic that sells items and engine upgrades to Mario on credit so he can win a race in the Super Mario Kart arc. She also rides with him and later Yoshi in a couple of short scenes. After his victory, she is one of the creditors who seizes his cash earnings. She returns briefly in volume 16.

Volumes 29 and 30 are a self-contained two volume story arc which covers the Game Boy rendition of Donkey Kong. Pauline is the star acrobat at Peach's circus and regularly performs with Donkey Kong Jr., who was kidnapped by Peach from his island. When Donkey Kong frees his son, Junior convinces his father to take Pauline with them because he believes she is his mother. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad attempt to rescue her but in the end, Pauline decides to stay to take care of Junior. A decade later, after Bowser has extorted all of the circus' money, they head back to the island to get Pauline to return. She turns them down as she has gained weight and is happy on the island. Peach's circus is forced out of business.

Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special

Pauline and Donkey Kong as seen in the Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special story "A Blast From The Past".
Pauline kicking Donkey Kong.

Pauline is featured in the Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special comic "A Blast From The Past". The comic starts with a reporter coming into Cranky Kong's cabin, asking if he recalls anything about Pauline. Cranky does, and proceed to tell the reporter about the last time he saw her.

Pauline is carried by a younger Cranky Kong as he climbs to the top of a construction site. She asks him why he likes to climb tall buildings, to which Donkey Kong replies it is something he saw in a movie. An electrician hears the commotion and also climbs to the top of the construction site, fearing Pauline may be in danger. After the electrician manages to startle Donkey Kong by popping out of the barrel he is holding, Pauline admonishes the two and proceeds to kick Donkey Kong, claiming she is tired of his antics and is looking for a way to "get even".

In the present, Cranky Kong ends his story, but the reporter reveals to him that Pauline wrote a successful book about the events, titled "The Girl and the Gorilla", and got a movie deal titled "The Adventures of Pauline". Furious at how he is depicted and with a promise from the reporter to be paid for telling his side of the story, Cranky Kong claims that he will tell the truth about Pauline, warning the reporter that "it isn't pretty". He proceeds to start talking about the first time he carried Pauline to the top of a building; however, the comic ends there.

Game & Watch Gallery series

In Game & Watch Gallery 2 and Game & Watch Gallery 4, Pauline herself does not appear in the Modern version of Donkey Kong (that role instead being taken over by Princess Peach), but she does appear in the game's Classic mode, re-enacting the same role as in the game.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong series

Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

Pauline
Pauline in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis

After twelve years of absence, Pauline makes her next reappearance in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. The game starts with the grand opening of the Super Mini Mario World theme park, where Pauline is Mario's guest of honor. The game's manual suggests that Mario and Pauline are just friends at this time.[16] Donkey Kong is an employee of the Mario Toy Company[17] who attends the opening. When he sees Pauline, he becomes infatuated and presents her with a Mini Donkey Kong. When she chooses Mario's Mini Mario over his gift, however, Donkey Kong becomes enraged and kidnaps Pauline, escaping to the roof of Super Mini Mario World.

After Mario defeats Donkey Kong on the roof, he opens a door to find Pauline surrounded by presents, revealing that she is safe. Pauline makes peace between Mario and Donkey Kong by accepting Donkey Kong's Mini.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

A screenshot of the Intro movie from Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, depicting Donkey Kong snatching Pauline in rage.
Pauline in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

Pauline appears again in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!. Once again, Pauline is assisting Mario in the opening of an expansion of Super Mini Mario World. However, Pauline is kidnapped by Donkey Kong after he is too late to receive a ticket to the expansion. Mario attempts to stop this, ripping Pauline's dress in the process, but Donkey Kong escapes to the roof with Pauline. Mario then sends the Mini Mario toys in pursuit of Donkey Kong to rescue Pauline.

Mario eventually reaches the top floor, where he opens a door to find Pauline by a window in a small room. However, Donkey Kong turns the lights off and escapes through the window with Pauline, and Mario once more gives chase through another round of floors. Once Mario makes it to the end of these floors, he finds Pauline in a similar room, but this time, she is holding a clipboard and standing happily next to Donkey Kong. She informs Mario that the Mini Mario toys have passed the test run, revealing that she was only kidnapped by Donkey Kong simply to test the performance of the toys.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

Pauline in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!

Pauline makes another appearance in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Mario and Pauline are welcoming customers to the grand opening of Mini-Land by giving away Mini Pauline toys to the first 100 customers. Donkey Kong excitedly charges his way to the front wanting a Pauline Mini toy for himself, but when he arrives, Mario sternly tells him that they are out of stock. Donkey Kong becomes enraged and kidnaps Pauline instead, heading into the theme park. Mario once again gives chase immediately, with assistance from the Mini-Land toys.

After navigating the Minis though all the theme park's attractions, Mario locates Pauline standing just below a Ferris wheel. She welcomes Mario warmly before Donkey Kong surprises them both by jumping from the top of the Ferris wheel to scoop Pauline up once again, forcing Mario to pursue him through more of the theme park's attractions.

After chasing Donkey Kong through the theme park again, Mario finally finds Pauline once more under the Ferris wheel; this time, however, when Donkey Kong appears to confront him, Mario presents him with a Mini Pauline toy. Donkey Kong is overjoyed, and Pauline ultimately finds the whole thing very sweet. She makes her way to the Ferris wheel, where she, Donkey Kong, Mario, and the Minis enjoy a ride in celebration.

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

Pauline and Donkey Kong in a hot air balloon.
Pauline with Donkey Kong in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move

Pauline reappears in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. Pauline is not kidnapped by Donkey Kong in this game; instead, she teams up with Donkey Kong to run a game arcade called Mini Arcade, as part of the Mini Toy Carnival hosted by the Mario Toy Company. In the Mini Games mode, Pauline congratulates players on their score alongside Donkey Kong at the end of a minigame.

Pauline's face appears as an icon in the Mini Target Smash minigame. Smashing a Pauline target can cause the player to lose 100, 200, or 300 points, depending on how far away the target is.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Both of Pauline's appearances in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Both of Pauline's appearances in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
Both of Pauline's appearances in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Pauline briefly appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. In the game's intro cutscene, Pauline is kidnapped by Donkey Kong, although no motivation is given. Mario quickly gives chase with his Mini Mario toys, in hopes of rescuing Pauline.

In the game's ending cutscene, Pauline and Donkey Kong are revealed to have been giving Mario a surprise party.

Super Smash Bros. series

SmashWiki article: Pauline

Pauline appears in the Masterpiece demo of the original Donkey Kong included in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. In every installment as of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, one of Peach's alternate costumes depicts her with a red dress that is similar in colorization to Pauline's dress.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Pauline appears as a sticker that increases Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong's attacks.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

A trophy of Pauline appears in both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, while Pauline herself appears in the latter version in her original role in the Donkey Kong Masterpiece. Pauline is also alluded to in the Event match titled "1988": "DK and Diddy have gone back in time. Now Mario's angry at them for kidnapping Pauline...but he's got the wrong guys!" An additional inclusion is in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U where she is mentioned in one of the randomly generated tips that appear on loading screen or in the tips section in the Original Games / Settings category (shown with a blue border), and reads: "Mario's Ex-Girlfriend(?) The woman kidnapped by DK in the original Donkey Kong was Mario's first love, Pauline. Originally, she was just called "Lady." We've come a long way."

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Pauline along with the band appears in the background of New Donk City Hall in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate if "Jump Up, Super Star!" is selected as the stage's background music. The song's vocals are absent at first, and Pauline appears randomly on a propeller platform as the stage's main platform ascends the tower. If a fighter jumps past her, she starts to sing, and later appears in the plaza with the rest of the band.

Pauline also appears as two Legend-class spirits: one as a grab-type, primary spirit together with Donkey Kong (under the name "Donkey Kong & Lady") using their original artwork, which slightly increases the power of grabs and throws when equipped; and one as a support spirit by herself using her artwork from Super Mario Odyssey, which allows the user to recover health when an opponent attacks their shield. The latter can be obtained in the World of Light, where the player must defeat her puppet fighter, Peach, in 1 minute and 30 seconds while avoiding Mario with a Hammer (in his wedding outfit) and a giant Donkey Kong (in his red-furred alternate costume, resembling the original Donkey Kong) on 75 m.

Super Mario series

Super Mario Odyssey

Mario (in his "classic" look) and Pauline
Pauline with her band and Mario in Super Mario Odyssey

Marking her debut in the main Super Mario series, Pauline appears in Super Mario Odyssey as the mayor of New Donk City (addressed as Mayor Pauline).

She first appears shortly after Mario arrives at New Donk City, where she, alongside several New Donkers, observes Bowser's Airship in the sky and the city being hit by a rainstorm. She then explains to Mario she cannot talk with him at the moment because New Donk City is currently in a crisis: she explains that Bowser had arrived at the city and has been causing chaos, and admitted she was not impressed with him plastering posters advertising his planned wedding with Princess Peach, stating it was "tasteless". Afterward, she then thanks Mario for saving the city as it meant everything to her, and invited him to set up the city festival.

Prior to the upcoming city festival itself, Pauline asks Mario to help rebuild her band, for which she serves as the lead singer. After that, she then tasked Mario with checking out the underground power plant and restore power. Ultimately, by the time Mario arrived at the power plant, Pauline was present, as she decided to assess the situation herself and deduced Bowser was responsible for the sabotage. They then fixed the power together, and then she personally invited Mario for the New Donk City festival as the guest of honor to repay him for making the festival possible. She is the interpreter of "Jump Up, Super Star!", the theme song of the game. One of the dance moves she does during her performance mimics her sprite animation from the original Donkey Kong game. In addition, the reason she returns and acts as mayor of New Donk City is to avert the idea that the presence of a kingdom necessarily means that the people in charge are royalty.[18]

She is later seen at the wedding between Bowser and Peach in the Wedding Hall, being among various characters forced by Bowser to attend. When Mario arrives, she tells him he is "just in time."

In the post-game, Pauline is able to quiz Mario on facts about herself. She says that her hat is her favorite possession, she loves eating cake, and that her capture in Donkey Kong was "traumatic", although it helped her grow as a person. She also indicated that she had already seen Seaside Kingdom by the time she met up with Mario, and desired to see Cloud Kingdom next, due to it having "clouds that go on forever."

She later appears at Darker Side alongside the band and various other characters to root for Mario as he undergoes the rigorous challenge. After the Multi Moon is collected, she replaces her hat with a hat similar to that of Mario's own hat.

When the harder version of the final boss is beaten, Pauline appears on the picture with the other major characters of the game at the Mushroom Kingdom that is rewarded to the player after the ending credits.

Her original design from the Donkey Kong's cabinet also makes a cameo in New Donk City as part of some graffiti art and, once the festival mission is completed, on various billboards. The graffiti was suggested to be a connection of New Donk City with the events of the original Donkey Kong game.[19][20]

Quiz questions and answers

These questions are asked in a random order, and Mario must get four questions in a row right to pass.

Question Answer 1 Answer 2 Answer 3
What am I bad with? Festivals. Fixing machines. Talking to people.
What do I plan to eat for dinner tonight? Fried Mushrooms Leaf Salad Flower Stew
What kingdom would I most like to visit right now? Wooded Kingdom Cloud Kingdom Seaside Kingdom
What kind of music do I like? You don't like music. Relaxing music. Peppy music.
What do I do on my days off? Garden! Fix machines! Practice singing!
What is my most treasured possession? A purse. A hat. An umbrella.
Which of these things did I actually do a long time ago? Raised sheep. Wore raccoon suit. Captured by ape.
What do you think my hobby is? Going on walks. Driving RC Cars. Flower arranging.
What do I just adore? Machines. Cake. Flowers.
Give me your honest opinion-how am I doing as mayor of this city? OK, I guess... Badly. Fantastic!

Super Mario Run

A statue of Pauline appears as a building in Super Mario Run. It was added for the Super Mario Odyssey event that ran between November 14, 2017 and November 19, 2017, and is based on her appearance in the New Donk City festival. It has since been made available through the Remix 10 mode. When the statue is tapped, it plays the last line of the chorus of "Jump Up, Super Star!". It cannot be tapped again until the line is almost finished.

Mario Tennis Aces

Pauline performing her Special Shot, the Showstopper
Pauline executes her "Showstopper" Special Shot

Pauline reappears in Mario Tennis Aces as a playable character that was first available by participating in the March 2019 tournament.[21] This marks her first fully playable appearance in the Mario spinoff game installments as a whole, as well as her first appearance in a Super Mario sports title. She wears a sport outfit akin to that of Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina. She is classified as a Speedy type character, having the fastest movement in the game combined with low traction, but she is easily pushed back by returned shots. Her voice clips are reused from Super Mario Odyssey. Her Special Shot, named Showstopper, involves her dancing atop a building similar to the New Donk City Hall as it gets taller, with a crowd of New Donkers surrounding it; during this Special Shot, "Jump Up, Super Star!" plays. Her emblem resembles a pair of red lips stylized into a heart shape. Prior to version 3.0.0, Pauline's name was erroneously written entirely in capital letters in the English version.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart Tour

Pauline in Mario Kart Tour
Pauline in Mario Kart Tour

Pauline makes her debut in the Mario Kart series in Mario Kart Tour as a High-End playable character. Although she was officially confirmed in the first episode of the Mario Kart Tour News video series on September 24, 2019 (one day prior to the game's release), her name was accidentally shown on the game's App Store story page on August 27, confirming that she would appear in some capacity,[22] but was later removed.[23] Her special item is the Lucky Seven. She was introduced in the New York Tour as a tour-exclusive character, but starting with the 2019 Holiday Tour, she became a regular character, while also gaining her own self-themed cup. Additionally, she has a High-End variant called Pauline (Party Time), who wears a silver party outfit representing the New Year and also debuted in the 2019 Holiday Tour, with her special item being the Coin Box. This makes her the first newcomer in Mario Kart Tour to receive a variant in the game. A second variant for Pauline themed around Valentine's Day called Pauline (Rose) was introduced in the Peach vs. Daisy Tour as a High-End character, with the Fire Flower as her special item. Both of these costumed variants were added to regular tour pipes in the Battle Tour. A third variant for Pauline called Pauline (Cowgirl) was introduced in the Pipe Tour, once again classified as a High-End driver. Her special item is the Boomerang Flower.

Pauline and her variants usually have the Yellow Taxi and/or its variants as their signature karts. Her association with the New York Minute tracks is most likely an indirect reference to her status as the mayor of New Donk City, which is based on New York City.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Pauline in her biker suit in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Pauline racing on Mario Kart Stadium in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Pauline was added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as a playable character through the sixth and final wave of the Booster Course Pass DLC, alongside Diddy Kong, Funky Kong, and Peachette. Here, her earrings are noticeably larger than in Mario Kart Tour. Pauline also has a new alternate racing outfit when using bikes and ATVs, similarly to Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina, though with notable differences. She is among the lightest heavyweight characters, sharing statistics with Rosalina, King Boo, and Link. A CPU controlled Pauline uses the same kart combination options as Mario, which include the Standard Kart, B Dasher, P-Wing, and Comet.

Mario Golf: Super Rush

Pauline appears in Mario Golf: Super Rush as a Control character with average stats, marking her first appearance in the Mario Golf series. She sports a new golfing outfit with a newsboy cap. Her Special Shot is known as the Songbird Stinger and her Special Dash is known as the Diva Dash.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Pauline artwork for Mario Strikers: Battle League
Pauline in Mario Strikers: Battle League

Pauline makes her Mario Strikers debut in Mario Strikers: Battle League, as a playable character added through the version 1.2.0 update alongside the returning Diddy Kong.[24] Her strongest attributes are her strength and speed; without any gear applied on any characters, she has the highest strength statistic in the game. However, her other statistics rank among the worst in the game. Her team number is 7, and her Hyper Strike is Swing Solo.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Pauline in The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Pauline being interviewed on TV
“Everything's under control, I promise you. We are very close to fixing this.”
Pauline, The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Pauline appears as a minor character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, in which she is the mayor of New York City. A TV news headlineMedia:Giuseppe TSMBM.png states that she has been re-elected in a landslide victory. She wears the same outfit as in Super Mario Odyssey, albeit without her hat.[25] She first appears in the movie in a TV interview, reassuring citizens that an issue of sewer flooding is under control and that they're close to fixing it, though she is instantly proven wrong when a manhole bursts like a geyser behind her, causing her to smile sheepishly. Near the end of the movie, she is among the crowd of citizens in Brooklyn congratulating Mario and Luigi for defeating Bowser and his army. An update to the SMBPlumbing.com website after the film's June home video release revealed Pauline gave the Mario Brothers a "Key to the City" and proclaimed a day of celebration on June 13, 2023.

Super Mario Party Jamboree

Pauline debuts in the Mario Party series as a playable character in Super Mario Party Jamboree. Like the game's other newcomer, Ninji, she is unlockable by viewing her while in the Hot-Air Balloon.

Other appearances

Pauline never makes an appearance in Donkey Kong Jr. itself, although the back flyerMedia:DKJ Arcade Flyer Reverse.jpg does reference Donkey Kong's earlier abduction of her, citing that Mario's motive for imprisoning Donkey Kong was namely to make sure Donkey Kong cannot abduct her or any other woman again. In addition, the arcade version's transition scene between the Jump Board Scene and Mario's Hideout has the titular son of Donkey Kong pursuing Mario's helicopter while riding a parasol resembling Pauline's parasol.

Pauline appears briefly at the beginning of a commercial for Mario's Cement Factory.[26]

Voice actor Jo Belle Yonely portrays Pauline for Ralston's Donkey Kong branded breakfast cereal in 1983.[27][28]

She appears in televisionMedia:G&WCM - Mario Bros. and Pauline.jpg and printMedia:G&W print ad.jpg advertisements for the Game & Watch in 1983.[29]

Pauline is a pizza delivery girl in a retelling of the original Donkey Kong game in the Donkey Kong Goes Home album.

She was given an indirect mention in the Nintendo Comics System story Cloud Burst, where Mario alluded to a past girlfriend who was comparable to Princess Toadstool as well as to some extent Luigi and Bowser.

Although Pauline herself does not make an appearance in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, she, and more specifically Cranky Kong's abduction of her in the original game was alluded to in the manual (intro in the GBA version) where Cranky, while lecturing Donkey Kong, said "Whisking off maidens and throwing barrels around the place seven days a week, I was."

Pauline, or more accurately her debut role, was given an indirect reference in Baten Kaitos Origins, where the character Guillo sarcastically asks Gibari, "What are you, some monkey who's run off with a pretty wench?" after witnessing the latter take out several guards with a barrel.

She appears in Game & Watch Collection in a recreation of Donkey Kong, serving the same role.

Pauline makes small appearances in the Nintendo Monopoly and Donkey Kong Jenga board games.

Pauline also appears in both WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase and WarioWare Gold in the microgame Donkey Kong, where she plays her role from the original Donkey Kong arcade game. She appears in the same stance in another Donkey Kong-based microgame from WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!.

She also makes a cameo in Nintendo Land, where she is seen in the background while playing the Donkey Kong's Crash Course attraction.

Pauline also appears in the Puzzle Swap panel "Nintendo Heroines/Starlets" in StreetPass Mii Plaza, alongside Peach, Rosalina, Zelda, and Toon Zelda.

In NES Remix, she appears in most of the challenges and remixes based on Donkey Kong and Pinball. She also has the same role in Ultimate NES Remix, which combined games from both NES Remix and NES Remix 2 for Nintendo 3DS.

Pauline appears in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS in a cameo on one of Uptown, Downtown's billboards.

General information

Pauline in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games

Development

Pauline's original design for the Donkey Kong arcade release was based on Shigeru Miyamoto's artwork which graced the arcade cabinetsMedia:DK Artwork Cabinet bezel.png and appeared in Japanese marketing material such as flyersMedia:DK Japanese Flyer.jpg and print adsMedia:DK 1981 alt print ad.jpg. His Lady is a blonde or orange-haired woman with long puffy hair wearing a deep pink to red strap dress and ankle-strap pumps of the same color. In her sprite in Donkey Kong for Game & Watch, she was given short curly orange hair, and had on a pink blouse and purple pants (in the Game & Watch Gallery versions, she instead has blonde hair and either a red dress, or otherwise a red blouse and yellow skirt depending on the specific game version).

While Miyamoto's rendition defined the appearance of Lady in Japan, the North American market was heavily influenced by her look in Zavier Leslie Cabarga's flyerMedia:DK Arcade Flyer Front.jpg. Coincidentally, both Miyamoto and Cabarga's designs for Mario and Donkey Kong were inspired by Popeye and Bluto respectively. However, Cabarga's muse for Pauline was Betty Boop, albeit with a smaller head.[30] His Pauline has more of a wavy hairstyle and her cocktail dress is torn with her face expressing greater distress. Most Donkey Kong merchandise in North America from 1982 to 1984 was based on Cabarga's design. Some exceptions include Topps collectible stickers which depicted her with long orange-colored hair (she remains blonde in the packaging as it was designed by Cabarga).[31][32] In 1983, the debut of Saturday Supercade revised Pauline's appearance to make her look more youthful. The last official use of Cabarga's flyer was for Ocean Software's ports of Donkey Kong for European home computers in 1986.

Since Donkey Kong for Game Boy, Pauline's appearance was updated closer to her more current appearance with only minor difference to her most recent look. This redesign was suggested in the American version of her Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U trophy to be an attempt to differentiate herself from Princess Peach. Her original redesign gave her a ribbed-chest red halter neck dress, black Mary Jane high heels, dark brown hair, red lips and violet eye shadow. This appearance would be refined over the years to her final look.

In Super Mario Odyssey, her face is slightly refined even more; her eyes, her head and her earrings are somewhat smaller than in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games and her face is more rounded, while her makeup is more vibrant. She is shown to be very tall compared to the other characters in the game (a feature shared with the New Donkers) and her waist is subtly wider. According to the developers, she was given a new design that reflected the current view of the world while handling the original features with great care.[33] Subsequent games bring back many elements of her Mario vs. Donkey Kong appearance, resulting in a mixture between the two designs.

Identity

In the US, the name Pauline first appeared in 1982 through the Donkey Kong activity books and Coleco's figurineMedia:Pauline figurine.jpg. Her name was further spread through Saturday Supercade and was eventually used in the MS-DOS, Apple II, Coleco Adam, and NES ports; however, in Japan, she was still known as Lady in the Famicom version. Because the name Pauline was not used universally until her return in the Game Boy game where she was redesigned, the original version of the character and redesigned version were treated as separate characters in certain media in Japan, with the original version of the character being known as Lady and the new version being known as Pauline, although the two incarnations are never shown meeting together. This is likely due to the fact that Pauline was described as a "new heroine" when Donkey Kong for Game Boy was released in Japan,[34] despite the fact that Shigeru Miyamoto and game director Masayuki Kameyama acknowledged in an interview that Pauline was previously used as the name of Lady outside Japan, as well as stating that the game was intended to be a prequel to Super Mario Bros. since Pauline was Mario's "old flame" (昔の彼女) before meeting Peach.[35] Additionally, an early title screen uses the phrase "Save the Lady from Donkey Kong" from arcade materials,[36] further indicating that Pauline was intended to be Lady. After the release of the Game Boy game, the name Lady retained usage to refer to the original version of the character in Japan; for example, during the Cat Mario show's coverage of some NES games, Cat Mario, when asked by Cat Peach about the woman's identity, simply identified her as Lady.[37]

An artist rendering of Lady from the original Donkey Kong.
Artwork of Lady from Mario Character Encyclopedia.

In the Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten, published in 1994 by Shogakukan, Lady and Pauline are given separate entries. Curiously, both of them have "New York" listed as their place of origin, but Lady's personality is described as "docile" (おとなしい) while Pauline's personality is "vigorous" (活発).[38]

Kazuki Motoyama's Super Mario manga introduced Lady during the Super Mario Kart story arc as Mario's childhood girlfriend who established an automobile repair shop and volunteers to become Mario and Luigi's mechanic during the kart race. Later on, during the Donkey Kong story arc, Pauline was introduced as an acrobat hired by Peach for her circus alongside Donkey Kong Jr.

Volume 2 of Yukio Sawada's Super Mario-kun featured a gag in which Lady leaves Mario for Donkey Kong. However, Volume 11 of the same manga would introduce Pauline as a clerk in a clothing store that Mario frequents with no mention of her having a prior romantic relationship with Mario (or Donkey Kong for that matter).

Within Nintendo Land, the chalk drawing of the original design of the character is labeled as Pauline instead of Lady.[39] Both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U would then make it clearer to Japanese players that Pauline and Lady are indeed one and the same on Pauline's trophy description, though not in international releases. Similarly, in Nintendo Badge Arcade, Arcade Bunny has dialog introducing the arcade character as Pauline instead of Lady, even in non-international releases.

Due to the initial name Lady sometimes being mistaken in translation as the generic word lady,[40] Pauline has several naming discrepancies across media. In at least two print ads by UK distributor CGL for the Game & Watch version of Donkey Kong, Pauline was referred to as Louise.[41][42] However, the instructions leave her unnamed. NES information packs, mailed as late as April 1986, referred to her as Paula instead.[43]

Character description

Pauline is depicted as having light blue eyes, which had a violet hue before her appearance in Super Mario Odyssey, long wavy dark brown hair (slightly darker in Mario Golf: Super Rush), and fair skin. She has large slanted eyes with four long eyelashes at the top and three smaller lashes at the bottom (a total of seven), coupled with long defined arching eyebrows. Her face is oval in shape with a triangular nose and pointed chin. She is typically shown wearing violet eye shadow, dark red lipstick, and matching nail polish.

Pauline has an hourglass figure, in comparison to other human female characters. She has been shown as average height when compared to other human women in the Super Mario franchise, such as in StreetPass Mii Plaza's "Nintendo Heroines/Starlets" 3D puzzle showing her to be as tall as Peach, but is also shown to be taller in other games like in Super Mario Odyssey, where her overall proportions have been changed to match the New Donk City populace, making her particularly tall, especially in comparison to Mario. In Mario Tennis Aces, she appears to be very slightly shorter than Rosalina and taller than Peach by the same amount. In Mario Kart Tour, Pauline occupies the large kart driver classification like Rosalina.

Clothing

Pauline wears a fitted, ankle-length red halter-neck dress with a bow knot connecting the straps behind her nape and a low cut back, black high heels with ankle straps, small golden round earrings with a teardrop hanging from each, and a golden bangle on her left arm. Her dress has been depicted as torn in earlier artwork, most notably in Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special. In Super Mario Odyssey, she also wears a red wide-brimmed hat, and her dress is also slightly sparkly; in the same game, as a mayor, she wears a red pantsuit and a purple hat with a red strap. This outfit also appears in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Her other alternate outfits in later games such as in Mario Kart Tour, Mario Tennis Aces, and Mario Golf: Super Rush are variations of her usual outfit or draw their colors from it. In Mario Kart Tour, she received three alternate outfits: Party Time, Rose, and Cowgirl. When driving a bike in Mario Kart, Pauline wears a fitting white jumpsuit similar to those worn by Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina, and her hair is tied back in a low ponytail.

Personality

Until Super Mario Odyssey, Pauline did not have much character development. She is shown to be friendly, happy, kind, and even business minded, seen when she tests the quality of the Mario Toy Company’s Mini Mario toys in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! She is also quick to forgive others, especially apparent when it comes to Donkey Kong’s numerous abductions of her. She is also implied to enjoy games, which is shown when she opens a gaming theme park called Mini-Land with Donkey Kong in Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. Pauline also acts as a mediator between Mario and Donkey Kong. As mayor, she is apparently adept at city planning, as one of the residents of New Donk City mentioned that he was surprised at how fast she managed to get the city up and running again. In Super Mario Odyssey Pauline has been given more character (re)development overall. She enjoys peppy and jazz music because it brings people together, frequently practices singing to prepare for the next New Donk City Festival, has such a love for New Donk City that she often takes walks to admire it all, and also mentions she adores cake, stating that "It has to be 'good' cake and 'not that package stuff'". On another hand, however, she admits that she is not good at fixing machinery, and implies that she is also bad with flowers. She also goes on walks as a hobby due to her love for New Donk City and has indicated that she likes Fried Mushrooms and Flower Stew (the former due to being a massive Mushroom fan), but is not fond of Leaf Salad.

Relationships

Pauline, Mario, and Donkey Kong getting along

While Mario and Pauline's relationship was implied to be romantic during the Donkey Kong arcade game and outright stated in most home port manuals, Pauline was soon dropped as Mario's love interest and replaced with Princess Peach. In the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, it is stated that the two are friends, with her attending Mario's Mini Mario business and theme park events as a VIP, and his racing to her rescue when Donkey Kong kidnaps her at said events. Later, she takes a more active role in Mario's business ventures and helps run his Mini-Land theme park.

In these games, Donkey Kong has an unrequited crush on Pauline, flying into childish rages and kidnapping her when he feels rejected in favor of Mario or does not get what he wants. While Pauline is apprehensive of Donkey Kong when he kidnaps her, he never hurts her and she does not bear him ill-will for his impulsiveness (Donkey Kong Jungle Action Special contradicts this however, where Pauline kicks Donkey Kong and threatens him with vengeance for ruining her dress and dragging her to the top of buildings), being quick to forgive him once Mario curbs his behavior and he shows remorse. Aside from the kidnapping incidents, the two get along well, and while Pauline does not return Donkey Kong's affections, it is implied that she finds his gestures sweet. In two instances, Pauline also plots with Donkey Kong for the latter to "kidnap" her in order to test the abilities of the Mini Mario line and lure Mario to a surprise party.

She is shown to not be fond of Bowser, especially when his wedding plans resulted in New Donk City being attacked and him plastering billboards for his forced wedding to Peach all over the city (which she deemed tasteless, especially in light of the city's crisis). In addition, when Mario arrived at the Wedding Hall after Pauline and other characters were forced by Bowser to act as "guests" for the wedding, Pauline tells Mario that he was "just in time", implying she was not happy with Bowser forcing her to attend the wedding.

Profiles and statistics

Main article: List of Pauline profiles and statistics

Super Mario Run

Item description

  • Pauline Statue: The singing mayor of New Donk City, immortalized in statue form.

Mario Tennis Aces

  • Type: Speedy
  • Trick Shots: Spin Stroke (forward/backward), One-Up Girl (side)
  • Special Shot: Showstopper
  • Trait: Fastest movement with low traction and easily pushed back from returned shots

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Spirit
#79 Pauline
Artwork of Pauline from Super Mario Odyssey Series/game Super Mario Series
Type Support
Slots 2
Class Legend
Strength / effect(s) Healing Shield
How to obtain World of Light (The Light Realm); Spirit Board
Spirit battle Opponent(s) Peach, Mario, Donkey Kong
Conditions

Rule: Jump Power ↓

  • Defeat the main fighter to win
  • You have reduced jump power
  • Reinforcements will appear during the battle
Stage 75 m
Song Jump Up, Super Star!
Spirit
#137 Donkey Kong & Lady
Donkey Kong & Lady spirit from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Series/game Donkey Kong Series
Type Primary
Slots 3
Class Legend
Strength / effect(s) Grab
Throw Power ↑
How to obtain Spirit Board
Spirit battle Opponent(s) Giant Donkey Kong
Conditions

Rule: Item Tidal Wave

  • You lose if your CPU ally is KO'd (Peach)
  • The enemy has super armor and is hard to launch or make flinch
  • Timed Stamina battle
Stage 75 m
Song Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Jr. Medley

List of appearances

Title Description Release date System/Format
Donkey Kong Non-playable character 1981 Arcade
Crazy Kong Non-playable character 1981 Arcade
Crazy Kong Part II Non-playable character 1981 Arcade
Donkey Kong Non-playable character 1982 Game & Watch
Pinball Non-playable character in bonus area 1984 Nintendo Entertainment System
Family BASIC Cameo in message board, programmable sprite 1984 Family Computer
Family BASIC V3 Non-playable character in mini-game, programmable sprite 1985 Family Computer
Donkey Kong Classics Non-playable character in port of Donkey Kong 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System
Donkey Kong Non-playable character 1994 Game Boy
Donkey Kong Non-playable character 1994 Nelsonic Game Watch
Game & Watch Gallery 2 Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch Donkey Kong 1998 Game Boy, Game Boy Color
Donkey Kong 64 Non-playable character in port of Donkey Kong 1999 Nintendo 64
Doubutsu no Mori Non-playable character in emulation of Donkey Kong and Pinball 2001 Nintendo 64
Animal Crossing Non-playable character in emulation of Donkey Kong and Pinball 2001 Nintendo GameCube
Game & Watch Gallery 4 Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch Donkey Kong 2002 Game Boy Advance
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! Cameo in microgame 2003 Game Boy Advance
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! Cameo in microgame 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Junior/Mario Bros. Non-playable character in port of Donkey Kong 2004 Arcade
Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong Non-playable character 2004 Game Boy Advance
Tetris DS Cameo 2006 Nintendo DS
Game & Watch Collection Non-playable character in port of Game & Watch Donkey Kong 2006 Nintendo DS
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Non-playable character 2006 Nintendo DS
Super Smash Bros. Brawl Non-playable character in demo of Donkey Kong 2008 Wii
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase Cameo in microgame 2009 WiiWare
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! Non-playable character 2009 DSiWare
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! Non-playable character 2010 Nintendo DS
Nintendo Land Non-playable character in Donkey Kong's Crash Course 2012 Wii U
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move Non-playable character 2013 Nintendo 3DS (eShop)
Puzzle Swap Cameo in Puzzle Swap image Heroines (Nintendo Starlets) 2013 Nintendo 3DS (StreetPass Mii Plaza)
NES Remix Non-playable character 2013 Wii U
NES Remix Pack Non-playable character in NES Remix 2014 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U Cameo as trophy 2014 Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Ultimate NES Remix Non-playable character 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars Non-playable character 2015 Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Super Mario Odyssey Non-playable character 2017 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Run Cameo as statue 2017 iOS / Android
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Cameo in a billboard in Uptown, Downtown 2018 Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS
WarioWare Gold Cameo in microgame 2018 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Non-playable character and as a spirit 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario Tennis Aces (version 2.3.0) Playable character 2019 Nintendo Switch
Tetris 99 Cameo in the Donkey Kong theme 2019 Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart Tour Playable character 2019 iOS / Android
Ring Fit Adventure Cameo 2020 Nintendo Switch
Mario Golf: Super Rush Playable character 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario Strikers: Battle League (version 1.2.0) Playable character 2022 Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass, Wave 6) Playable character 2023 Nintendo Switch
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition Non-playable character 2024 Nintendo Switch

Quotes

  • "Donkey Kong, those guys are criminals! That was a prison break, not a health class!" - Saturday Supercade episode "The Great Ape Escape"
  • "Mario, come back here! Donkey Kong's getting away!" - Saturday Supercade episode "How Much is That Gorilla in the Window?"
  • "Oh, uh, nice rhino...good rhino...bye, rhino! DONKEY KONG!" Saturday Supercade episode "Hairy Parent"
  • "Oh Mario, my hero!" - Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
  • "I'm sorry, but I really don't have time to chat right now. I need to figure out a way to save my city. Things have been in utter chaos since that brutish monster showed up. And he has the nerve to be advertising this wedding of his all over New Donk City?! A bit tasteless, if you ask me." - Super Mario Odyssey
  • "New Donk City really means the world to me... I just can't thank you enough for all of your help, Mario!" - Super Mario Odyssey
  • "Go Mario! Jump, man!" - Super Mario Odyssey
  • "Just in time!" - Super Mario Odyssey
  • "I’ll be sure not to lose this one." - Super Mario Odyssey
  • "I'm a 1-UP Girl!" - Mario Kart Tour
  • "Not too shabby!" - Mario Kart Tour

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Pauline.

Audio samples

Audio.svg Donkey Kong (Game Boy) - "Help, HELP!" - When Donkey Kong takes Pauline to another level in Super Game Boy mode (Unknown, 1994)
File infoMedia:DKGB Pauline Calls For Help.oga
0:01
Audio.svg Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! - "Help, HELP!" - When Donkey Kong kidnaps Pauline (Unknown, 2009)
File infoMedia:MvDKMMA Pauline Help.oga
0:01
Audio.svg Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! - "Please, save me!" - Before a boss level starts (Unknown, 2010)
File infoMedia:MVDKMLM Pauline Calling For Help Audio.oga
0:02
Audio.svg Super Mario Odyssey - "Yeah!" - When Mario talks to Pauline when she is happy (Kate Higgins, 2017)
File infoMedia:SMO Pauline Voice Yeah.oga
0:00
Audio.svg Mario Kart Tour - "I'm a 1UP girl!" - When Pauline wins a race (Kate Higgins, 2019)
File infoMedia:MKT Pauline Voice 1UP.oga
0:02
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Main article: List of Pauline names in other languages
Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ポリーン[44]
Porīn
Pauline
Catalan Pauline[45] -
Chinese (simplified) 宝琳[?]
Bǎolín
Pauline
Chinese (traditional) 波琳[46]
Bōlín
Pauline
Dutch Pauline[?] -
French Pauline[?] -
German Pauline[?] -
Italian Pauline[?] -
Korean 폴린[?]
Pollin
Pauline
Portuguese Pauline[?] -
Russian Полина[?]
Polina
Russian equivalent of the name Pauline
Spanish Pauline[?] -

Trivia

  • "Lady" is Nintendo's third female video game character. She was preceded by Manhole's "alarm lady"[47] released months earlier and another damsel-in-distress also called Lady in the 1979 arcade game Sheriff. While the bezel art for the upright cabinets called this brunette Betty, the Japanese flyer,[48] magazine ads,[49] and reviews[50] used Lady instead. Shigeru Miyamoto worked on the art design for both Sheriff and Donkey Kong.[51] In Family BASIC V3, Lady's embrace of Mario in one of the minigames reproduces a cutscene from Sheriff between Betty and the Sheriff.[52][53] Betty reappears in the Sheriff minigame in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!.
  • Pauline currently holds the record for the most years between a character's original debut and their first playable appearance in the Super Mario franchise, with nearly 38 years between Donkey Kong and Mario Tennis Aces.

References

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  2. ^ Donkey Kong Junior back flyerMedia:DKJ Arcade Flyer Reverse.jpg
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  4. ^ Nintendo of America (June 15, 2018). Arcade Archives Gameplay - Nintendo Treehouse: Live | E3 2018 (09:02). YouTube (English). Retrieved July 12, 2024.
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  10. ^ February 27, 2015. The Official Nintendo Character Manual From 1993. That Eric Alper (English). Retrieved May 8, 2023.
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  13. ^ Pinball Nintendo Switch Online description
  14. ^ a b 1985. Pinball instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 8.
  15. ^ Arcade Archives: Pinball in-game manual, Bonus Stage (P.05/10)
  16. ^ "Mario’s glamorous friend." – 2006. Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 7 (Pauline description).
  17. ^ "The Mario Toy Company’s hairiest employee." – 2006. Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 7 (Donkey Kong description).
  18. ^ Hi, I’m Mr. Koizumi, Producer of Super Mario Odyssey. AMA!. Reddit (English). Retrieved June 24, 2024.
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  22. ^ @Tracker_TD (August 27, 2019). Although she’s not actually pictured, the preorder spotlight thing for Mario Kart Tour mentions Pauline. I’m gueeeeessing given the image shows off the costume gimmick for characters that she’ll be playable, assuming this isn’t an outright blunder. X (English). Retrieved June 24, 2024.
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  25. ^ @NE_Brian (November 28, 2022). Lots of posters and images for The Super Mario Bros. Movie seemingly leaked. Nintendo Everything. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
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  30. ^ Ryan, Will (Spring 2022). Zavier & Boop. Issuu (English). Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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  33. ^ November 25, 2018. おはようございます。こちらは「ポリーン市長」の最終デザインのスケッチです。歴史のあるキャラクターですので、元の特徴を大切にしつつ今作の世界観に合わせて新しくデザインしました!. X (Japanese). Retrieved June 24, 2024.
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  36. ^ Hard4Games (August 15, 2020). Nintendo LaserDisc! | Nintendo Power Previews LaserDisc V7 Preservation. YouTube. Retrieved August 25, 2020. ScreenshotMedia:Game Boy Save The Lady From Donkey Kong Title Screen.png.
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  38. ^ Perfect Edition of the Great Mario Character Encyclopedia. Shogakukan (jp). Page 24.
  39. ^ Nintendo Land internal filename (content/Common/Package/Dkb_Cmn.pack/Common/Model/Dkb_Chalk_Pauline.szs)
  40. ^ Donkey Kong instruction pageMedia:DK Instruction Page.jpg
  41. ^ November 1983. Computer & Video Games 25. Page 138.
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  50. ^ November 15, 1979. Game Machine. Page 28.
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