Princess Peach and Toad Recast: Samantha Kelly Confirms Departure Amid Nintendo Voice Cast Changes

Nintendo has officially recast Samantha Kelly, the longtime voice actor for Princess Peach and Toad (including Toadette), marking a significant transition in the beloved Mario universe.

The news follows a series of recent shifts in Nintendo’s iconic voice cast, impacting several mainstays of the franchise and sparking widespread conversation across the gaming community. In the latest update, what was once mere fan speculation turned into official news: Samantha Kelly’s name was absent from the newly released Mario Kart World's credits, alerting fans to a possible change.

Shortly after, Kelly herself addressed the development on social media, stating that she had only been notified about Nintendo’s decision one day prior.

Expressing her gratitude, Kelly remarked that she is saddened by the end of her journey as Princess Peach and Toad, but thankful for the years spent bringing these characters to life. Kelly wrote, "Thank you for so many years of friendship and joy.

I’m sad that it’s over; I truly would have wanted to voice Peach and Toad forever.

Nintendo let me know yesterday that they decided to recast these roles.

I’m grateful that I got to do these voices for so many years.

Peach and Toad are such strong and beautiful characters that I hope they continue to thrive, no matter who voices them.

So much love." This change is part of a broader wave of updates within the Mario series cast.

Another notable recasting is Takashi Nagasako, the voice behind Donkey Kong.

Koji Takeda, previously recognized for his work as Donkey Kong in the Japanese version of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, has now stepped into the role domestically.

These cast updates follow the 2023 transition of Charles Martinet, the original voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi, who passed the torch to Kevin Afghani. Nintendo’s continued evolution of its voice roster comes as the Mario franchise persists as a cornerstone of both the Nintendo Switch library and the global gaming market.

Games like Mario Kart World and the ongoing releases highlighted in recent Nintendo Direct presentations have ensured that Mario and his friends remain at the forefront of industry conversation.

The recasting of central voices signals a new chapter for these storied characters, as Nintendo strives to balance legacy and renewal. Princess Peach, Toad, and other classic characters not only play starring roles in high-profile games but also anchor franchise sales milestones.

The Super Mario series, having sold over 380 million units worldwide as of 2023, exemplifies Nintendo’s dedication to quality and innovation across its hardware platforms, from classic consoles to the versatile Nintendo Switch and the eShop digital marketplace. As the Mario voice cast enters a new era, fans and industry watchers alike will be paying close attention to future releases and Nintendo Direct announcements to see how these changes translate in-game.

For now, Samantha Kelly’s heartfelt farewell marks the end of a significant era, but also underscores Nintendo’s enduring commitment to reinventing its most iconic properties for the next generation.

Nintendo Switch Peach Nintendo Mario Switch Toad Princess Peach Samantha Kelly Toadette Mario Kart World Charles Martinet Kevin Afghani Koji Takeda Takashi Nagasako Super Mario Bros. Movie