Charles Martinet to retire as Mario (and co) voice actor

[GRWHAMMY the 2nd]

but he'll still be with Nintendo as a "Mario Ambassador"

We have a message for fans of the Mushroom Kingdom. Please take a look. pic.twitter.com/U1ASicOuTO

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 21, 2023

[crinos43]

While it sucks to know Charles won't be the voice of Mario and company anymore, I'm happy to hear that he is still with Nintendo in some way.

[priceguy]

Interesting. I wonder if Nintendo wants Chris Pratt (or a soundalike) to voice Mario in the games now too. That would make sense for consistency.

[whowouldeverhurtawhammy]

As a side note, Martinet did not voice Mario in the recent film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie; however, he did voice Mario's dad and Giuseppe (the Italian man playing the arcade game early on, who sounds exactly like Mario in the games) in the film.

[Trevor Tuominen]

Interesting. I wonder if Nintendo wants Chris Pratt (or a soundalike) to voice Mario in the games now too. That would make sense for consistency.

Seeing as Mario's falsetto has become his iconic voice at this point (even movie Mario does the falsetto voice in the Plumber Rap commercial in the film), I'm guessing a Martinet soundalike would be more likely.

Best of luck to Charles, and whoever succeeds him as the new Mario (plus Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi).

[Trevor Tuominen]

Apologies for the bump, but Kevin Afghani is the new Mario:

Incredibly proud to have voiced Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Thanks to Nintendo for inviting me into the Flower Kingdom!

— Kevin Afghani (@KevinAfghani) October 13, 2023