Charles Martinet, renowned for voicing Mario for more than a quarter-century, will no longer lend his voice to the legendary Nintendo character, as revealed in a recent Nintendo tweet. This change has sparked speculation among fans, especially after they noticed a variation in Mario’s voice in the promotional materials for the upcoming “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” game. Nintendo has affirmed that Martinet will not be involved in voicing Mario for the new game set to release on October 20th. The company shared its appreciation for Martinet’s immense contributions over the years in the following statement:
“It has been an honor working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him.”
Martinet’s New Adventure
In a significant development, Martinet is transitioning from voicing Mario to a brand-new role termed the “Mario Ambassador”. In this role, Martinet will travel globally, fostering the joy of Mario and interacting with fans everywhere. Expressing his enthusiasm for this new journey, Martinet responded on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying, “My new adventure begins! You are all Numba One in my heart! #woohoo !!!!!!!”
Martinet’s Legacy
Martinet’s association with Nintendo and Mario dates back to the 1990s. His first venture as Mario’s voice was not in a game but at trade shows. He was tasked with conversing with attendees as a 3D version of Mario. Martinet’s debut in a Nintendo video game was in “Mario Teaches Typing” in 1994. However, it was “Super Mario 64”, released in 1996, that garnered him worldwide fame. His vocal prowess didn’t stop at Mario; he voiced other iconic characters like Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Metal Mario, and more. Reflecting on his journey in 2021, Martinet once remarked, “I want to voice Mario until I drop dead.”
Although he won’t be voicing Mario in future games, fans can still find solace knowing he will spread joy with that iconic voice in his new role.
Looking Ahead
Nintendo’s announcement has inevitably stirred discussions and speculations, especially in the light of the newly released “Super Mario Bros.” movie which grossed a billion dollars. In the film, Mario was voiced by Chris Pratt, and Luigi by Charlie Day. However, Martinet still made a mark with two memorable cameos.
As for what’s next, Nintendo hinted at an upcoming video message from Martinet and Nintendo’s CEO, Shigeru Miyamoto, which will be made available to fans soon. No specific release date for this video has been provided as of now.
In conclusion, while fans might miss Martinet’s iconic voice in the new games, they can eagerly await his contributions as the Mario Ambassador. This new role will allow him to remain closely linked with Mario, fostering the legacy that he has helped create over the past three decades.
Further Reading
For more insights into Charles Martinet’s journey with Mario and Nintendo, you can visit Polygon to explore in-depth articles and interviews, which chronicle his enduring relationship with Nintendo and the character that has made him a household name in the gaming community.
