The Legacy of Princess Peach: Jocelyn Benford’s Forgotten Role in Hotel Mario and Nintendo’s Philips CD-i Era

Princess Peach—sometimes recognized as Princess Toadstool—stands as one of gaming’s most enduring and iconic characters since her debut in Nintendo’s 1985 classic Super Mario Bros.

Over the decades, few figures in video game history have maintained such prominence, with Princess Peach continually serving as a symbol of the Super Mario franchise across numerous platforms, including the popular Nintendo Switch.

While many fans recall her central role, fewer are aware of Jocelyn Benford, the first actress to voice Peach in a video game—specifically, in the lesser-known Hotel Mario for the experimental Philips CD-i console. Hotel Mario was released in 1994, emerging from an unusual partnership between Nintendo and Philips.

The collaboration was born from a failed agreement to create a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

Although the hardware project never materialized, Philips retained rights to license Nintendo’s characters for its CD-i system, resulting in a handful of Nintendo spin-off titles outside the company’s usual development pipeline. Jocelyn Benford, based in New York City, shared reflections on her experience voicing Princess Peach in an interview.

She recalled that her introduction to Nintendo began at home, noting, “We had a Game Boy and I was familiar with Mario Bros, though I spent a lot of time on Tetris and puzzle games.” Her journey to Hotel Mario stemmed from connections within the industry.

Benford’s husband, Michael Ahn, served as one of the producers at Philips Interactive and they were acquainted with several game developers working on the project.

"I had a reputation for breathing life into scripts through stage readings, so even as an unknown in video games, I was given the chance.

Princess Peach didn’t have much dialogue, anyway," Benford explained. The recording atmosphere was notably relaxed.

Veteran voice actor Marc Graue, who portrayed Mario, Luigi, and Bowser, contributed to the positive environment, keeping morale high with humor during the sessions.

The director guided Benford through variations of Peach’s voice until the right fit was found.

For her contribution, Benford noted, “I was paid a bit, but more importantly, I became eligible for the Screen Actors Guild.

I was already part of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, before those unions merged.” Upon the game’s completion, there was a sense of anticipation and pride among the team, as Hotel Mario was intended to showcase the new Philips CD-i technology.

Although the console did not achieve widespread success, Benford acknowledged, “We were proud of our work.

The technology was fresh and untested.

It’s remarkable that Hotel Mario still has devoted fans three decades later.” Benford’s career shifted after Hotel Mario.

She and her husband relocated to Seattle following his new role at Microsoft.

Over the subsequent years, she appeared in commercials and stage productions, even earning recognition in theater.

Eventually, Benford transitioned away from acting, dedicating two decades to teaching in elementary schools across Seattle and New York City.

Today, Jocelyn Benford is a successful visual artist, exhibiting her paintings at galleries and leading workshops.

Although she fondly recalls her brief stint as Princess Peach, she mentioned, "I loved doing voiceovers, but my voice is not as strong or flexible as it once was, so I think it’s unlikely I’d reprise the role." Jocelyn Benford’s unique contribution to Nintendo history is a testament to the lasting power of Princess Peach and the collaborative efforts that shape video game culture—even within unexpected chapters like the Philips CD-i era.

Her legacy endures, connecting gaming history with the broader world of the arts, and reminding fans of the diverse journeys behind every iconic character.

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