For almost three decades, actor Charles Martinet provided the iconic voice of Nintendo’s beloved character, Mario. He also voiced other popular characters such as Luigi and Wario. However, in August, Nintendo confirmed Martinet’s retirement from the role, leaving fans wondering who would take over the legendary character’s voice in the upcoming game, Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
The level of interest in Mario’s voice was unprecedented, particularly for a single character in a video game. Fans eagerly analyzed a one-second clip of Mario saying “Wonder” in an attempt to determine if Martinet was still involved. Mario and Martinet have been inseparable since Martinet’s first role as Mario in the educational game, Mario Teaches Typing, in 1994. Martinet has become the voice of fans’ childhood and a passionate advocate for the character. He has been the subject of numerous press features, panels, and interviews, embracing the role as the defining one of his career. Martinet once joked that he would continue voicing Mario until he “dropped dead,” illustrating his dedication to the character.
The news of Martinet’s departure from the Mario franchise raised two fundamental questions among fans. Firstly, why would Nintendo dismantle a successful relationship that had benefitted both parties? And secondly, who could possibly replace an actor so beloved by fans?
Initially, Nintendo remained tight-lipped about the identity of Mario’s new voice actor. Even outlets like IGN devoted entire investigations to uncovering the actor’s identity. According to Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser, the company deliberately chose not to reveal the new voice actor to allow players to “discover and be surprised” when they played Super Mario Bros. Wonder. However, some fans couldn’t wait and dataminers managed to leak the credits, divulging the new voice actor’s name.
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On October 13, the mystery was finally solved when voice actor Kevin Afghani announced on Twitter that he was “incredibly proud” to have voiced Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Afghani, known for his work in Genshin Impact and Dragon Ball R&R, may not have the same level of household recognition as Martinet or even Chris Pratt, who voiced Mario in this year’s animated film. The low-profile announcement suggests that Nintendo did not feel the need for a grand reveal, possibly because Afghani’s voice was not drastically different from Martinet’s signature portrayal of Mario.
The secrecy surrounding Afghani’s casting prompted many to wonder why Nintendo chose to keep it under wraps. When asked about this, Doug Bowser emphasized that Nintendo’s priority was ensuring players’ enjoyment of the gameplay experience rather than highlighting the voice actor. Bowser stated that what mattered most to them was how players responded to the game and its art style, voice acting, and other aspects.
Nevertheless, Afghani’s new role is significant. He is now the official voice of Mario, a character that represents Nintendo in movies, theme parks, and various other media. His transition into this iconic role marks a significant moment following Martinet’s departure.
In conclusion, Charles Martinet’s retirement as the voice of Mario left fans eagerly anticipating the announcement of his replacement for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. While Nintendo initially kept the casting a secret, Kevin Afghani eventually confirmed his role as Mario’s new voice actor. The secrecy surrounding the casting may have been intentional to prioritize players’ enjoyment of the game experience rather than overshadowing it with discussions about the change in voice actor. Afghani’s portrayal of Mario will now carry on the legacy established by Martinet and serve as a significant moment in the character’s history.
