Mario Kart World Launch: Donkey Kong and Princess Peach Voice Actors Replaced After Years

Mario Kart World, the latest installment in Nintendo’s iconic racing franchise, is now available on Nintendo Switch platforms worldwide.

As part of its highly anticipated release, Mario Kart World brings both exhilarating new tracks and characters—alongside a significant change that long-time fans are quickly noticing: the voices behind two of its most beloved characters, Donkey Kong and Princess Peach, have changed for the first time in years. For nearly two decades, Takashi Nagasako provided the voice of Donkey Kong, starting with the character’s role in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in 2004.

Meanwhile, Samantha Kelly became synonymous with Princess Peach, Toad, and Toadette after assuming those roles in 2007.

Their performances have become a hallmark of the Mario Kart series, with Kelly’s distinctive voice work shaping Peach’s personality through multiple Nintendo titles, including Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. However, with the launch of Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch, players were quick to note the absence of familiar tones from Donkey Kong and Princess Peach.

This was confirmed when the credits rolled, as neither Takashi Nagasako nor Samantha Kelly’s names appeared in the end credits of the game.

On social media, Samantha Kelly addressed the change, explaining that she had only recently been informed by Nintendo of their decision to move in a new direction.

She stated in a public Instagram post that she received notice from Nintendo just days before Mario Kart World’s release, where she was told her services would no longer be required. At present, Nintendo has not officially announced the new voice actors replacing Nagasako and Kelly.

Though rumors have circulated within the gaming community that Koji Takeda may now be providing the voice for Donkey Kong, this has not yet been confirmed by Nintendo or through the game’s official credits.

Both the company and key figures have not issued further public statements regarding the reason behind the casting change, maintaining a tradition of discretion in their handling of voice talent. This move signifies a rare shift in the Mario Kart series—one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, which enjoys strong sales and massive cultural influence.

Mario Kart World’s release continues to drive significant traffic to the Nintendo Switch, following in the footsteps of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which ranks among the bestselling titles on the platform with over 55 million copies sold globally as of 2024. As fans experience Mario Kart World, the discussion surrounding these voice actor changes highlights the evolving landscape of Nintendo’s character development and game production process.

For now, the community awaits more information from Nintendo, as Mario Kart World cements its place as a landmark title for the franchise.

Gamers eager to explore the latest iteration can find Mario Kart World exclusively on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop and at retail locations worldwide.

Mario Kart Donkey Kong Peach Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Princess Peach Kart Takashi Nagasako Samantha Kelly Koji Takeda Nintendo Switch