Kevin Afghani Clarifies Nintendo Direct Rumors After Taking Over as Mario’s New Voice
Kevin Afghani, recently introduced as the voice of Mario and Luigi in the Nintendo Switch hit title Super Mario Bros.
Wonder, has directly addressed persistent online speculation regarding his association with Nintendo Direct presentations.
Afghani, who succeeded the long-standing Mario voice actor Charles Martinet following Martinet’s retirement, spoke candidly about his journey and public perception during an interview with USA Today. Since launching in October 2023, Super Mario Bros.
Wonder has marked a new era for the Mario franchise on the Nintendo Switch, delighting fans with fresh mechanics and Afghani’s debut performance.
Along with worldwide acclaim for the game, which swiftly climbed Nintendo Switch eShop sales charts after its release, attention has focused on Afghani’s successor role and the broader impact on Nintendo’s iconic characters. Addressing the widely-shared rumor about his past involvement with Nintendo Direct, Afghani unequivocally denied the reports.
In clear terms, he stated he never provided narration for any previous Nintendo Direct livestreams or presentations.
Afghani explained that before voicing Mario and Luigi, he had not collaborated with Nintendo on any official project.
"Contrary to some internet rumors, I was not part of any Nintendo Direct presentations, as a narrator or otherwise.
My first work with Nintendo began with taking on the voice roles for Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros.
Wonder," he told USA Today. Afghani also reflected on the increasing recognition he has received from fans.
In the interview, he noted that public awareness of his work has grown, both for voicing Mario and Luigi and for his other roles, such as Amir in Warframe.
"I'm still adjusting to the public attention.
It feels incredibly surreal," he shared. Discussing his longstanding connection with the franchise, Afghani revealed his deep-rooted enthusiasm for Mario games.
Having played classics like Mario Kart, Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Party, and both 2D and 3D entries, Afghani spoke about his lifelong appreciation: "I have played almost every Mario game since childhood.
I absolutely love the entire series, from the platformers to the Mario sports games." Kevin Afghani’s transition into the voice of Mario exemplifies Nintendo’s commitment to maintaining beloved game icons for new generations.
With Super Mario Bros.
Wonder’s successful release on Nintendo Switch and Afghani’s vocal performances, the franchise continues to thrive on both gameplay innovation and a strong sense of tradition.
For more industry news and ongoing updates about Nintendo and its celebrated franchises, stay tuned to our latest coverage.
Wonder, has directly addressed persistent online speculation regarding his association with Nintendo Direct presentations.
Afghani, who succeeded the long-standing Mario voice actor Charles Martinet following Martinet’s retirement, spoke candidly about his journey and public perception during an interview with USA Today. Since launching in October 2023, Super Mario Bros.
Wonder has marked a new era for the Mario franchise on the Nintendo Switch, delighting fans with fresh mechanics and Afghani’s debut performance.
Along with worldwide acclaim for the game, which swiftly climbed Nintendo Switch eShop sales charts after its release, attention has focused on Afghani’s successor role and the broader impact on Nintendo’s iconic characters. Addressing the widely-shared rumor about his past involvement with Nintendo Direct, Afghani unequivocally denied the reports.
In clear terms, he stated he never provided narration for any previous Nintendo Direct livestreams or presentations.
Afghani explained that before voicing Mario and Luigi, he had not collaborated with Nintendo on any official project.
"Contrary to some internet rumors, I was not part of any Nintendo Direct presentations, as a narrator or otherwise.
My first work with Nintendo began with taking on the voice roles for Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros.
Wonder," he told USA Today. Afghani also reflected on the increasing recognition he has received from fans.
In the interview, he noted that public awareness of his work has grown, both for voicing Mario and Luigi and for his other roles, such as Amir in Warframe.
"I'm still adjusting to the public attention.
It feels incredibly surreal," he shared. Discussing his longstanding connection with the franchise, Afghani revealed his deep-rooted enthusiasm for Mario games.
Having played classics like Mario Kart, Luigi’s Mansion, Mario Party, and both 2D and 3D entries, Afghani spoke about his lifelong appreciation: "I have played almost every Mario game since childhood.
I absolutely love the entire series, from the platformers to the Mario sports games." Kevin Afghani’s transition into the voice of Mario exemplifies Nintendo’s commitment to maintaining beloved game icons for new generations.
With Super Mario Bros.
Wonder’s successful release on Nintendo Switch and Afghani’s vocal performances, the franchise continues to thrive on both gameplay innovation and a strong sense of tradition.
For more industry news and ongoing updates about Nintendo and its celebrated franchises, stay tuned to our latest coverage.
