Courtney Lin Officially Announced as New Voice of Princess Peach in Mario Kart World

Nintendo fans were recently introduced to a pivotal change in one of the company’s most beloved franchises: Courtney Lin has been officially revealed as the new voice actor for Princess Peach in Mario Kart World.

Lin steps into the iconic role at a turning point for the series, joining a distinguished line of voice actors who have helped shape the character for generations of players on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and beyond. Courtney Lin's debut voice work for Princess Peach was recorded for Mario Kart World, the latest entry in the beloved Nintendo racing series.

Notably, Lin also lent her talents to the role of Baby Peach for the same title, continuing Nintendo’s tradition of casting versatile actors in multiple roles throughout the Mario universe.

The news closes a chapter of speculation and discussion within the community following Princess Peach's voice actor transition, especially as the change coincided with the game's launch and prominent marketing on the eShop and during recent Nintendo Direct presentations. In a heartfelt statement shared with fans via her personal social media channels, Lin expressed deep gratitude and respect for the opportunity to voice one of gaming’s most enduring heroines.

She emphasized the legacy of Princess Peach and paid tribute to those who previously portrayed the character, saying that the roles extend beyond the individual performer and are part of something much larger than themselves.

Lin pledged to approach every opportunity with dedication, reflecting her appreciation for the responsibility and her commitment to continuing the tradition.

She also spoke directly to the fans, thanking them for their support and expressing her hope that they enjoy playing Mario Kart World. The transition in voice acting follows some controversy over how Nintendo communicated the change, particularly with outgoing actress Samantha Kelly.

It was revealed that Kelly, who had been the voice of Princess Peach since the mid-2000s, was notified of her recasting just a day before Mario Kart World’s global launch.

This abrupt timing prompted discussion among fans and industry observers about transparency and best practices in talent management—a notable moment in the franchise’s long and storied history on Nintendo platforms. Princess Peach’s recasting is not the only recent voice talent shake-up within the broader Mario franchise.

Donkey Kong also saw a recent transition, with Kouji Takeda, previously the voice of Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, reprising his role in Donkey Kong Bananza.

This consistent approach across Nintendo properties underscores the company’s commitment to evolving and maintaining its stable of iconic characters for current and future generations. With Mario Kart World now available on the Nintendo Switch and featuring Courtney Lin’s voice as Princess Peach, Nintendo continues to showcase its legacy of character-driven storytelling and innovation across its world-renowned franchises.

Fans can look forward to more updates and character appearances in upcoming Nintendo Direct showcases and on the eShop as Mario Kart World cements its place as a mainstay in Nintendo’s celebrated gaming catalog.

Mario Kart Peach Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Princess Peach Kart Courtney Lin Nintendo Switch Samantha Kelly Donkey Kong Bananza Super Mario Bros. Movie Kouji Takeda