Character Sheet: Pauline (Main 3D Games)

PAULINE

Now that we're done with all of the major 3D Mario titles, I think we need to now go through and update our characters, starting with revisions for any characters included so far that appeared in any of these games. Out of the 24 so far, 17 need revision:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
6. Pauline
7. Princess Toadstool
8. Toad
9. Yoshi
10. Bowser
13. Koopa Troopa
13e. Dry Bones
14. Shy Guy
15. Goomba
16. Piranha Plant
17. Boo
18. Lakitu
19. Hammer Bro
20. Chargin' Chuck
21. Magikoopa

Today, let's revisit Pauline. We last saw Pauline back in the days of the original Donkey Kong arcade game, where she acted mostly as the living goalpost who had been abducted by the big ape himself. In Super Mario Odyssey, the character gained a whole new lease on life, acting as mayor of New Donk City, lead singer of a band, and the voice behind the game's iconic "Jump Up, Super Star" and "Break Free (Lead the Way)."

Before, Pauline mainly acted as a reference character, built on references to the original arcade game and not on anything the character did herself. In this game though, Pauline still acts mainly as an NPC, so you would in theory not be able to do much with her, yet she also acts as the primary representative of the New Donkers, the realistic humanoid race inhabiting the Metro Kingdom, and, as such, anything New Donkers can do, she can do too. This can include driving cars, scooters, and little remote control cars, as well as jumping rope. A number of music based abilities might also arise from the band she plays with in the game. It's not much, but let's see what we can do.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Barrel

I decided we could keep the barrel move from Donkey Kong, as its one of the most iconic images of the original arcade game, and serves as a solid projectile attack.

Side B: Scooter

Pauline will hop on a scooter that can charge up. Once charged it will speed across the stage, knocking any it encounters out of the way. Pauline will ride it, but can hop off if need be.

Up B: Jump Rope
Two New Donkers will appear on each side of Pauline, a jump rope in between them. Pauline can use this like a spring to launch herself with, or can bounce on it multiple times for higher altitudes.

Down B: Brown Note

Pauline's band will appear and play one loud note that will create an area of damaging affect around them. Sort of a mini-version of Donkey Kong's old final smash that only lasts a second or so.

Final Smash: The New Donk City Festival

This one is sort of remixed from Pauline's old final smash, combining it with the best scene from all of Odyssey. Pauline will leave the stage, appearing with her band in the background playing "Jump Up, Super Star" as 8-bit versions of Mario and Donkey Kong appear on the stage, recreating their climactic battle from all those years ago, the other characters getting caught up in the mayhem.

Entrance: I think she could still be carried in by an 8-bit Donkey Kong. It would still be fairly fitting.

Taunts: One could feature the heart that appears when Mario saves her. Another one needs to include the little "woo!" you hear from her in Odyssey. Maybe the little dance moves she does when Mario dances beside her in Odyssey.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow we'll be covering Mario's other girlfriend, Princess Peach!