Who Did Mario Love Before Peach? The Story of Pauline
The Original Love Interest: Before Princess Peach, Mario (then called Jumpman) was romantically linked to Pauline, the damsel in distress from the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong.
Pauline: Mario's First Lady
Pauline's history with Mario includes:
- Debuted in Donkey Kong (1981) as Mario's girlfriend
- Originally unnamed, just called "Lady" in game files
- Named after Polly James, wife of Nintendo's warehouse manager
- In early lore, she worked as a carpenter with Mario
- Disappeared from games after 1982 until her modern revival
Pauline vs. Peach: Character Comparison
Pauline
- Mario's original love interest
- Damsel in Donkey Kong (1981)
- Dark hair, red dress
- Modern role: Mayor of New Donk City
- Appears in Mario vs. Donkey Kong series
Princess Peach
- Mario's current love interest
- Introduced in Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- Blonde hair, pink dress
- Role: Princess of Mushroom Kingdom
- Main series damsel/heroine
Pauline's Timeline
Donkey Kong: Debuts as Mario's girlfriend needing rescue from the ape
Donkey Kong Jr.: Last classic appearance as Mario's captive
Mentioned in Nintendo Power comics but absent from main games
Returns in Mario vs. Donkey Kong as a successful businesswoman
Super Mario Odyssey: Major comeback as Mayor of New Donk City
Why Did Peach Replace Pauline?
The shift occurred because:
- Super Mario Bros. (1985) rebooted Mario's universe
- Peach better fit the new Mushroom Kingdom setting
- Pauline's damsel role was tied to the Donkey Kong storyline
- Nintendo wanted to distance Mario from his "Jumpman" past
- Peach's princess status allowed for more fantasy adventures
FAQ About Mario and Pauline
Are Mario and Pauline still together?
No. Modern games portray them as old friends rather than romantic partners. Mario's primary love interest is now Princess Peach.
Does Pauline remember her history with Mario?
In Odyssey, Pauline references their past when she calls Mario "old friend," suggesting she remembers their Donkey Kong days.
Was there ever a love triangle?
No official games have featured a romantic conflict between Pauline, Mario, and Peach. They exist in separate continuities.
Why did Pauline return after 25 years?
Nintendo began embracing its full history, and Pauline's strong, independent modern characterization made her appealing for new stories.
Conclusion
Before Princess Peach became Mario's iconic love interest, Pauline held that role as the original damsel in distress from Donkey Kong. Though she disappeared from games for decades after Mario transitioned to the Mushroom Kingdom, her surprising return in modern titles has reintroduced her as one of Nintendo's most sophisticated characters - no longer just a love interest, but a powerful mayor and businesswoman.
While Mario's heart now belongs to Peach, Pauline remains an important part of his history - the woman who started it all in that first fateful barrel-jumping adventure. Her evolution from damsel to leader mirrors how Nintendo's storytelling has grown over four decades, even as it maintains connections to its arcade roots.