That ending explained nothing.

So it IS a prequel? Donkey Kong Country series happened chronologically before the original Donkey Kong even though that makes no fucking sense?

Nintendo just doesn't give a fuck at all, yeah, the timeline's fucked for no reason, whatever, Pauline is actually a kid, she wasn't de-aged, this is something that happened in her childhood even though Cranky mentions Mario and he is frequently alluded to in the original DKC games as the DK who kidnapped adult Pauline and fought Mario.

THIS SHIT MAKES NO SENSE! FUCK YOU NINTENDO!