You may be surprised to find out that Pauline, New Donk City’s double threat as mayor and effortlessly incredible singer, is actually one of the longest-running characters in the entire Mario series. She’s been around since her first appearance way back in the original Donkey Kong arcade game. Back then, her name was Lady, and her character development received roughly the same amount of effort from her creators.
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Or maybe you already knew. This isn’t exclusive information. But she only just recently graduated into the ranks of playable characters after her big break in Super Mario Odyssey. Since then, she’s found herself on the front lines of several games, with undoubtedly many more on the way. But what makes Pauline special, aside from her unfairly good singing voice and impeccable sense of style? Considering how Mario’s own expertise tends to embody “can jump real good,” you’d think that would be enough. Even so, she brings the magic in every game.
Updated on October 28th, 2024, by Dan Conlin: With the release of Super Mario Party Jamboree on the Nintendo Switch, Pauline has one more playable appearance under that stylish pantsuit belt. It serves as not only the latest time players can pick her as their character but also her first foray into the long-running Mario Party series. It’s sure to not be the last we hear from the multi-talented Pauline on either front.
1
Mario Tennis Aces
New Donk City’s Best Thwacker
Pauline’s playable debut came in 2018’s Mario Tennis Aces on the Nintendo Switch, but strangely enough, she didn’t actually appear in the game until the game introduced a tournament in 2019 that brought in several new characters. Thankfully, she was added a month later as free DLC for anyone who missed it, because greatness should never be restricted.
Having released relatively soon after Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Tennis Aces naturally includes references to the game surrounding Pauline’s playstyle. Most notably, her Special Shot “Showstopper” sees her riding a rising building surrounded by New Donk City citizens as her endlessly catchy tune “Jump Up, Super Star!” from Odyssey plays; if you’ve got it, you might as well flaunt it.
2
Mario Kart Tour
Mayoral Duties Come Second To The Vroom
Since Mario Kart Tour had already added seemingly every other Mario character under the sun, it was clearly long overdue for Pauline to join the party. This mobile title initially made her difficult to obtain through the game’s gacha system, but she was worth it, and the feeling of finally pulling a big one like Pauline after legions of babies is like arriving at the buffet just in time for the fresh mac and cheese.
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Pauline has several variants in the game, including the snazzy Party Time, the Valentine’s Day-themed Rose, and the probably-needs-a-wash Cowgirl; you can’t deny her charm as she pulls off her tricks throughout the races, and those outfits (especially the New Year-themed Party Time) go a long way in establishing her presence. Thoughts on Mario Kart Tour aside, there’s no denying Pauline deserved a spot kicking up dust alongside all the Super Mario friends, enemies, and Monty Mole.
3
Mario Golf: Super Rush
That Voice Deserves More Than A Golf Clap
4.0/5
Mario Golf: Super Rush
- Platform(s)
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Switch
- Released
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June 25, 2021
- Developer(s)
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Camelot Software Planning
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- ESRB
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E For Everyone due to Mild Cartoon Violence
Never content with being a jack of a few trades, Pauline then decided to show off her golf prowess in the Nintendo Switch’s Mario Golf: Super Rush. After serving as a mayor for so long, a change of scenery is all but required, and this particular stick sport fits the bill. Because when you’ve already done everything else, you do golf.
And do golf she does, even though she hasn’t quite done everything else (yet); Pauline’s stats are on par with the rest, and she breaks out a brief musical number (you’ll never guess which song) for her Special Shot. The viability of hitting a golf ball with a microphone is admittedly questionable, but hey, if you could power yourself up by crooning out a sick tune, you’d do it, too.
4
Mario Strikers: Battle League
Goooooooooooal!
It took a few years for the Mario games to realize what an absolute beast Pauline clearly is beneath all that poise. Mario Strikers: Battle League on the Nintendo Switch brought her in during one of its updates, and this soccer title that goes way harder than it probably ever needed to has been all the better for it.
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Pauline’s base strength stat is higher than any other player in the game, and yours would be, too, if you had to carry New Donk City’s entire fashion game on your back. She’ll also smack the ball with a microphone as her special skill, which might be an illegal play, but are you going to be the one to tell her?
5
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Speed Up, Super Star
As arguably the most anticipated addition to the roster, Pauline really made an impact when she finally joined Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch via the last of its Booster Pass DLC packs. After spending a few years as Mario Kart Tour’s most eligible vroom, she was ready for the big time; just look, she already had the biker outfit.
Pauline also found herself in the game’s heavyweight category, not exactly in its highest rungs, but it was an honor just to be nominated. Frankly, anyone would need a little heft to be able to belt out their signature song while flying at unsafe speed.
6
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Fashionably Late To The Party
After she was first re-introduced with that powerful glow-up of hers in Super Mario Odyssey, it didn’t take Pauline long to scoop up new playable appearances left and right like a buffet that never knew what hit it. But somehow, it took the better part of a decade to finally land one particularly big fish.
It almost makes sense that Pauline would wait until Super Mario Party Jamboree, hailed by many as a return to form for the Mario Party series. But finally, you can play as New Donk City’s savvy mayor in the series that ironically destroys diplomacy among families. She’s technically a secret character in Super Mario Party Jamboree, but the best things in life always require a little work.
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