Mario Golf: Super Rush is the next title in the Mario sports series. The cast has remained fairly stable throughout the years, featuring the staple Mario characters and the occasional surprise inclusion. One of Super Rush's characters will be Pauline, who began as a damsel in distress, before coming into her own in Super Mario Odyssey. Here's a look at Pauline's history, her years in obscurity and how this Mario Golf appearance cements her rise to fame.
Like Mario himself, Pauline first appeared in 1983's arcade classic, Donkey Kong. Mario and Pauline were initially known as Jumpman and Lady before receiving their more iconic monikers later on. Introduced as Mario's kidnapped girlfriend, Pauline in this game is blonde, fitting given the title's obvious allusions to King Kong. Once Mario's more popular love interest, Princess Peach, was introduced in Super Mario Bros., Pauline was essentially replaced.
Her only real appearance for several years afterward was Donkey Kong, a Game Boy title which was a sequel to the original arcade game. This new adventure also changed Pauline's appearance, making her into a sultry brunette to contrast her against the blonde, regal Princess Peach. She would subsequently languish in obscurity for over a decade afterward before finally returning in Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis. Although Pauline seemed to be less of a love interest this time, she still found herself captured by a Donkey Kong once again. Later titles in this sub-series also introduced Mini Pauline toys which could be controlled throughout the levels, although Pauline herself was unplayable.
Pauline finally landed a major role in Super Mario Odyssey. This game featured Pauline as the mayor of New Donk City, which still hearkened back to her Donkey Kong days, while also making her a much more empowered figure. Her excellent festival sequence combined with Odyssey's rave reviews and huge sales put all eyes on Pauline. She was finally seen as being in the same league as Peach, Daisy and Rosalina.
This mainstream push meant that she finally became playable in the series' spinoff titles. Pauline was included as DLC in both the mobile game, Mario Kart Tour, and Mario Tennis Aces. Mario Golf: Super Rush, however, will be the first time that Pauline is a launch character in one of these titles. This signifies a major change for Pauline's status in the Mario universe.
Between Mario Golf and Super Mario Odyssey, Pauline is arguably a much bigger character than Princess Daisy, who was only a major character in one mainstream title, Super Mario Land. While Pauline may continue to be a source of affection for Donkey Kong in toy-controlling spinoff titles, she has definitely come a long way since being stuck on top of that construction site.