Hey Nintendo fans! After diving deep into the original Donkey Kong explanation, I knew I had to share more of my thoughts on the rich, albeit sometimes confusing, lore surrounding everyone's favorite ape. It's truly fascinating to unravel the different iterations of Donkey Kong we've seen over the years, and how they all connect (or don't!) to the current Cranky Kong. Many people don't realize that the 'Donkey Kong' we play as today isn't actually the original one! From what I’ve gathered and seen in games, the first Donkey Kong, the one who famously captured Pauline and was thwarted by Jumpman (who we now know as Mario!) in the arcade classic, is actually Cranky Kong. Yes, our grumpy old friend with the cane! It really makes you rethink the initial rivalry, doesn't it? Then, Cranky's son, Donkey Kong Junior, took the spotlight for a bit, often seen in games like Mario Tennis or Super Mario Kart. He was the hero trying to save his dad from Mario! And finally, the Donkey Kong we all recognize and love today – the strong, tie-wearing hero – is often considered the grandson of Cranky Kong. It’s like a royal lineage of Kongs, each carrying on the name. This distinction is super important when we talk about the overall story and character development, especially when thinking about games like the new Bananza title. Now, let's get into the really wild part – my time-traveling fan theory, especially as it relates to Cranky Kong and Pauline. The OCR text really got my wheels spinning when it pointed out the tricky timeline issue: how can a young Pauline exist at the same time as Cranky Kong, who is supposed to be the original Donkey Kong from her abduction? It doesn't quite add up with a linear timeline. My theory is that Cranky Kong, burdened by the troubles he caused Pauline in his youth (as the original Donkey Kong), somehow travels back in time. Imagine this: Cranky, in his elder years, perhaps fueled by regret, finds a way to go back to when Pauline was young and vulnerable. But instead of capturing her, he influences events, perhaps even subtly helping her, ensuring she doesn't get lost in that pit, or at least setting things right. The goal? To bond with her somehow, ensuring that his past self (the younger Donkey Kong) wouldn't feel the need to capture her later. It’s a way for him to rewrite history, not by changing major events, but by subtly altering the emotional connection, hoping to prevent the cycle of capture and rescue. It’s almost like a secret mission for him, a personal endeavor to atone. This theory could even hint at something deeper within the "Donkey Kong Bananza" game. What if there are subtle "Pauline expressions" or interactions that only make sense if you consider this time-traveling Cranky? Maybe a wistful look, or a moment of unexpected connection, hinting at a hidden storyline. And a "secret ending" in a future game could even reveal Cranky's true motive for his actions, or the success (or failure) of his temporal intervention. Nintendo isn't always big on strict continuity, as the OCR notes, so a fan theory like this helps bridge some of those narrative gaps and adds a layer of depth to the characters that I personally find super compelling. What do you all think? Could Cranky be a secret time-traveler?