Mario voice actor steps down

WEB DESK: Nintendo fans around the world are in for a surprise as Charles Martinet, the iconic voice behind the beloved character Mario, is stepping down from his role.

Since 1996, Martinet has been the voice of the lovable Italian plumber in Nintendo’s video games, starting with the iconic Super Mario 64. However, this year’s movie saw a change as Chris Pratt took on the role of Mario in the film adaptation.

The gaming giant shared the news on their official platform, expressing their gratitude for the years of collaboration with Martinet. Despite his departure from voicing the character, Martinet, 67, will remain associated with Nintendo as a “Mario ambassador.”

In response to his new role, Martinet expressed his enthusiasm. The latest game in the series, titled Super Mario Bros. Wonder, was announced earlier this year. However, its trailer sparked speculation among fans about Martinet’s involvement, as some questioned whether he had been replaced.

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Nintendo’s statement assured fans that while Martinet would no longer be recording character voices for their games, he would continue to spread the joy of Mario worldwide and engage with fans. The announcement also hinted at a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, and Charles Martinet himself, to be released in the future.

Martinet’s portrayal of Mario has become synonymous with the character, lending his voice to various games including the Mario Kart and Mario Party series. Apart from Mario, he lent his voice to other characters within the Mario universe, such as Mario’s brother Luigi, rivals Wario and Waluigi, and even the baby versions of the characters.

This year has been significant for the Mario franchise, with the Mario movie achieving enormous success at the box office, grossing over $1 billion. Exciting releases are also in the pipeline for Nintendo Switch users, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and a remake of Super Mario RPG, both scheduled for later this year.