Nintendo Announces Charles Martinet’s Transition from Mario Voice Actor to Mario Ambassador

Nintendo Officially Moves Charles Martinet from Voice of Mario to Mario Ambassador In a major announcement that marks the end of an era, Nintendo has revealed that Charles Martinet—the iconic voice behind Mario and several other Super Mario characters—will be retiring from his role as principal voice actor.

Martinet, whose legendary performances have defined Nintendo's flagship franchise since "Super Mario 64" released on the Nintendo 64 in 1996, will now take on a new position as Mario Ambassador. The transition was shared on August 21, 2023, via a statement published by Nintendo of America’s official Twitter account, accompanied by a special video message directed to fans of the Mushroom Kingdom.

The message thanked Martinet for his contributions and expressed pride in his ongoing association with Nintendo, even as he steps away from voicing the beloved character.

In their announcement, Nintendo confirmed, "Charles Martinet will now serve as Mario Ambassador, continuing to travel the world, share the joy of Mario, and connect with fans in exciting new ways." Over nearly three decades, Charles Martinet has solidified his legacy as one of the most prominent voice actors in video game history.

His work shaped the identity of Mario across platforms from the Nintendo 64 and GameCube to the present-day Nintendo Switch.

Martinet’s personality and artistry have become inseparable from Super Mario’s global success, a franchise that has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and become synonymous with the brand’s identity. The exact scope of Martinet’s new role as Mario Ambassador has not yet been fully detailed by Nintendo.

However, the company assured fans that he will remain an integral part of their community outreach efforts, appearing at official events, conventions, and special Nintendo Direct presentations.

This move ensures that while Martinet will no longer provide the in-game voice for Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi, his presence will still be felt by longtime followers of the series. Nintendo’s decision comes at a pivotal time for the company, following recent milestones in the success of the Nintendo Switch and the enduring popularity of Mario games such as "Super Mario Odyssey" and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe." The Super Mario franchise continues to be a cornerstone for the company’s strategy across consoles and the growing Nintendo eShop platform. The gaming community’s response to the news has been one of gratitude and celebration for Martinet’s immense contributions.

As Nintendo turns the page to a new era, both the company and its fanbase look forward to seeing how Charles Martinet’s legacy will continue to inspire new generations of players as Mario Ambassador. Stay tuned to Nintendo Direct and official Nintendo news channels for further updates regarding Charles Martinet’s activities and the future of the Super Mario franchise.

Nintendo Mario Super Mario Charles Martinet Nintendo Switch Nintendo of America