Nintendo has finally dropped the curtain on when fans can expect to learn the identity of Super Mario’s next voice actor, who will be taking over the iconic role from Charles Martinet.
Mario Mystery Unveiled
Key Points
- The revelation of Mario’s new voice actor will occur post the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
- Charles Martinet, the revered voice behind Mario since 1994, will relinquish his role but remain closely tied to the franchise as an ambassador.
- The news of a new voice for Mario has generated mixed reactions among players.
The identity of Mario’s new voice will remain a closely guarded secret until players reach the credits of Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Charles Martinet, who initially lent his voice to Mario in 1994’s “Mario Teaches Typing,” has continued to voice not just the beloved plumber but also his brother Luigi, as well as the villainous duo, Wario and Waluigi, throughout the series. Earlier this year, it was announced that Martinet would be stepping down from his iconic voice acting role to take on a new role as an ambassador for the Super Mario Bros. franchise.
Fans began speculating about a new voice for Mario after noticing a distinct change in his vocal tones in the June trailer for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The upcoming mainline Mario game will introduce players to Martinet’s successor. This development has triggered a range of emotions among players, with some expressing nostalgia for Martinet’s portrayal of the spirited, red-clad plumber, while others are eager to hear the fresh voice taking on Mario’s character. The decision to cast Chris Pratt, known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy, as Mario in this year’s animated Super Mario Bros. Movie also sparked controversy prior to the film’s successful release.
Nintendo has now revealed that the new voice actor for Mario will remain a mystery until after the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the Nintendo Switch, scheduled for October 20. In an interview with IGN, Nintendo of America’s president, Doug Bowser, clarified that there will be no formal announcement regarding the new voice actor and that their identity will be disclosed for the first time in the end credits of Wonder.
Doug Bowser also confirmed that Charles Martinet will continue to play a central role in the Super Mario franchise through his new position as a brand ambassador, despite Martinet’s own uncertainty about the specifics of his role. Previous statements from Nintendo have hinted at Martinet’s global travels and interactions with fans, though the exact details remain somewhat unclear at this time.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder will mark a poignant moment for longtime Mario enthusiasts. While the game’s new power-ups and game-changing Wonder Seed mechanics have garnered excitement, it will also be the first Super Mario game since 1994 to feature someone other than Martinet as the iconic voice of Mario. The new actor stepping into the shoes of the titular plumber mascot will face high expectations from players, and their identity will remain a secret until Super Mario Bros. Wonder arrives next month.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on October 20.
