Charles Martinet Clarifies Mario Voice Policy at Public Events: Integrity and Fan Experience Take Center Stage

Charles Martinet, the enduring voice actor behind Nintendo’s iconic mascot, Mario, has recently addressed a wave of confusion online regarding his participation at public events.

The discussion took root after content creator Ricky Berwick noted on social media that Martinet appeared to avoid voicing Mario or his other iconic characters in recorded settings during a recent convention appearance.

Such rumors have led fans to speculate about restrictions imposed on the beloved actor’s public performances, but Martinet himself has stepped forward to set the record straight. Martinet, who famously lent his voice to Mario for more than three decades, responded directly to concerns about his convention conduct.

According to Martinet, he continues to delight fans with the famous Mario voice at live events; however, he refrains from improvising phrases or dialogue outside established Mario canon, and this restraint is entirely his own decision.

"I always maintain the integrity of the character.

I just don’t improvise non-Mario phrases or dialogue.

That’s my choice to be sure," Martinet clarified in a recent social media post.

He encouraged fans to meet him at Comic Cons or fan expos for a live taste of the Mushroom Kingdom’s superstar, assuring them that their convention experiences would still feature signature Mario lines—just not off-script improvisations. Maintaining character integrity has long been a priority for Nintendo and its affiliated talent, ensuring that beloved characters like Mario are consistently portrayed in line with the brand’s values.

As Martinet further explained, his approach is about respect: for both Nintendo’s legacy and the fans who cherish Mario’s established persona.

While Martinet cheerfully interacts with enthusiasts and even hums the iconic Mario theme song during events—such as when Ricky Berwick shared a video featuring both of them—he chooses not to lend Mario’s voice to phrases that wouldn’t be authentic for the character, particularly in front of cameras. This policy comes on the heels of Martinet’s formal transition to the role of “Mario Ambassador” in 2023, an honor bestowed by Nintendo in recognition of his decades-spanning contribution.

After his appearance at Nintendo Live 2024, Martinet passed the baton to Kevin Afghani, who is now the official Mario voice in recent releases, including the anticipated Switch 2 title, Mario Kart World.

Afghani’s seamless integration has marked a new era for Mario, ensuring continuity in voice acting for upcoming Nintendo Switch games. Meanwhile, other developments in Nintendo’s voice acting stable have made headlines.

Just last week, the long-standing voice actress for Princess Peach announced her departure from the series after an impressive 18-year tenure, signaling further changes in the Mushroom Kingdom’s vocal landscape. For fans attending upcoming conventions or Nintendo events, Martinet remains a passionate and enthusiastic presence.

While recording restrictions and a careful maintenance of Mario’s voice are in place, the essence of Mario—complete with iconic phrases and heartfelt fan interaction—continues to shine at every event where Martinet appears. As Nintendo continues to expand its legacy through new hardware like the upcoming Switch 2, preserving the authenticity of its cherished characters remains a top priority.

Thanks to the dedication of talents like Charles Martinet, fans around the world can rest assured that the Super Mario voice will always sound just right, whether it’s in-game, at Nintendo Directs, or on the fan expo stage.

Nintendo Mario Charles Martinet Super Mario Kevin Afghani Mario Kart World Nintendo Switch Comic Con Fan Expo Nintendo Live