In a recent exclusive interview with USA Today, Kevin Afghani, the new voice actor for Mario, opened up about his experience inheriting one of the most beloved roles in gaming history.
Following the legendary Charles Martinet, who voiced Mario for over three decades, Afghani now stands at the forefront of Nintendo’s flagship character, bringing Mario’s iconic charm to the Nintendo Switch and beyond. Charles Martinet, widely recognized as the original voice of Mario, first lent his talents to the character in “Super Mario 64” in 1996.
Since then, he has remained synonymous with the series for almost 30 years, voicing Mario, Luigi, Wario, and several other characters across dozens of titles, including “Super Mario Odyssey,” “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” and the long-running “Super Smash Bros.” franchise.
His distinctive delivery made Mario a household name and helped shape Nintendo’s identity in the gaming industry. When asked about taking on such a high-profile role, Afghani candidly shared his feelings about stepping into Martinet’s shoes.
He expressed deep admiration for Martinet’s work, stating, "Charles, in my view, truly IS Mario.
He created something incredibly iconic and did so with unmatched mastery.
If I weren't nervous about this, then I wouldn't be the right person for the job." Afghani emphasized the profound respect he holds for his predecessor, noting, "I am the second voice actor to portray Mario.
Charles is the original, and there’s an immense level of respect for everything he accomplished.
He’s simply incredible." The transition comes at a pivotal moment for Nintendo, as the company continues to innovate on the Nintendo Switch platform, with new mainline Mario titles maintaining robust sales.
According to recent industry data, "Super Mario Odyssey" has sold over 26 million copies worldwide as of June 2023, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch.
The eShop and frequent Nintendo Direct presentations continue to spotlight Mario as a core pillar of Nintendo’s game lineup. Kevin Afghani’s heartfelt approach signals continuity and reverence for the character’s legacy.
As Nintendo fans look to the future, Afghani’s commitment suggests that Mario’s next adventures will be in capable hands, balancing tradition with renewed energy.
With the support of the gaming community and the foundation laid by Martinet, Mario’s voice remains as iconic as ever in Nintendo’s ever-evolving universe.
Following the legendary Charles Martinet, who voiced Mario for over three decades, Afghani now stands at the forefront of Nintendo’s flagship character, bringing Mario’s iconic charm to the Nintendo Switch and beyond. Charles Martinet, widely recognized as the original voice of Mario, first lent his talents to the character in “Super Mario 64” in 1996.
Since then, he has remained synonymous with the series for almost 30 years, voicing Mario, Luigi, Wario, and several other characters across dozens of titles, including “Super Mario Odyssey,” “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” and the long-running “Super Smash Bros.” franchise.
His distinctive delivery made Mario a household name and helped shape Nintendo’s identity in the gaming industry. When asked about taking on such a high-profile role, Afghani candidly shared his feelings about stepping into Martinet’s shoes.
He expressed deep admiration for Martinet’s work, stating, "Charles, in my view, truly IS Mario.
He created something incredibly iconic and did so with unmatched mastery.
If I weren't nervous about this, then I wouldn't be the right person for the job." Afghani emphasized the profound respect he holds for his predecessor, noting, "I am the second voice actor to portray Mario.
Charles is the original, and there’s an immense level of respect for everything he accomplished.
He’s simply incredible." The transition comes at a pivotal moment for Nintendo, as the company continues to innovate on the Nintendo Switch platform, with new mainline Mario titles maintaining robust sales.
According to recent industry data, "Super Mario Odyssey" has sold over 26 million copies worldwide as of June 2023, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch.
The eShop and frequent Nintendo Direct presentations continue to spotlight Mario as a core pillar of Nintendo’s game lineup. Kevin Afghani’s heartfelt approach signals continuity and reverence for the character’s legacy.
As Nintendo fans look to the future, Afghani’s commitment suggests that Mario’s next adventures will be in capable hands, balancing tradition with renewed energy.
With the support of the gaming community and the foundation laid by Martinet, Mario’s voice remains as iconic as ever in Nintendo’s ever-evolving universe.
