Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Koji Kondo's Surprising Voice Role Revealed on Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Bros.

Wonder: Koji Kondo's Surprising Voice Role Revealed on Nintendo Switch Super Mario Bros.

Wonder, the latest 2D platformer sensation from Nintendo, has captivated players since its initial release on October 20, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch.

Lauded for its imaginative level design, innovative gameplay mechanics, and fresh energy, the game represents the first original side-scrolling entry in the Mario series in over a decade.

While much of the launch attention was focused on Kevin Afghani’s debut as the new voice of Mario, a remarkable hidden talent of the game’s development recently made headlines. Koji Kondo, legendary composer for Nintendo and the creative mind behind iconic soundtracks for franchises like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox, revealed an entirely new facet of his artistry—voice acting.

In a presentation at the 2024 Game Developers Conference (GDC), Super Mario Bros.

Wonder director Shiro Mouri shared fascinating details about Kondo’s involvement in the game’s audio design.

According to Mouri, Kondo originally proposed a unique "Wonder effect" for the game, in which a live-action Mario with human proportions would appear on stage, humming background music and performing sound effects vocally as he traversed the level. Though the live-action Mario concept was ultimately set aside, a version of Kondo’s vision endured.

The game’s final unlockable "Sound Off" Badge faithfully captures the spirit by replacing in-game sound effects with vocalizations performed by a human.

Intriguingly, as Mouri disclosed, "the individual responsible for the Sound Off Badge’s vocal effects was Mr.

Koji Kondo himself." In the finished product, players who discover and equip this badge are treated to an array of classic sound cues—such as jumps, item collections, and environmental noises—all humorously rendered by Kondo’s own voice. This Easter egg not only surprises series fans but also serves as a playful tribute to Kondo’s versatility as a composer and his enduring influence on Nintendo’s legacy.

With decades of contributions to some of the most memorable soundtracks in video game history, Kondo was recently recognized with induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame, cementing his status among industry greats. Super Mario Bros.

Wonder continues to celebrate the creative spirit and collaborative ingenuity at the heart of Nintendo’s development philosophy.

For fans, discovering Koji Kondo’s vocal cameo is yet another delightful example of the depth and personality woven into every corner of this modern Mario adventure. Sources: GamesRadar, Game Developers Conference

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