Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto Explain Charles Martinet's New Mario Ambassador Role
Highlights
Charles Martinet, the iconic voice actor behind Mario, is stepping aside from his role in the upcoming game Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but will remain involved with Nintendo in a new position. Nintendo fans were saddened by the news that Martinet would no longer be voicing Mario, as he has been the character’s voice since 1996’s Super Mario 64. In his new role as an ambassador for Nintendo, Martinet will continue to participate in international events, interact with fans, and perform the beloved voices fans adore.
In an official announcement from Nintendo of America, Shigeru Miyamoto explained the new role that Charles Martinet, the renowned voice actor who had previously brought Mario and some other iconic Nintendo characters to life, will be taking on. Today, through an emotional video message, both of them shared with fans what they can expect from Charles Martinet in his new capacity. While he is stepping aside from his former role and won’t be present in the upcoming video game Super Mario Bros. Wonder, he will remain involved in a new position.
Back on August 8th, Nintendo had announced that the well-known voice actor Charles Martinet would no longer be voicing the iconic and most recognized character in Nintendo. This saddened fans, knowing that the actor who had accompanied the beloved plumber for so many years wouldn’t be heard in the upcoming game Super Mario Bros. Wonder or in any future titles of the franchise. It won’t be until this particular release that the audience will have the opportunity to hear Charles’s successor.
Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles Martinet revealed what the legendary voice actor’s new position as an ambassador for Nintendo will entail. Miyamoto announced that in this new role, Charles will continue to participate in international Nintendo events. He will have the chance to sign autographs and interact with his fans while performing the voices that his fans adore. In other words, this isn’t a definitive farewell to Mario.
Miyamoto reiterated in this statement that some characters’ voices in Super Mario. Wonder will be new and encouraged users to stay tuned for that. He then proceeded to share a humorous anecdote about Charles Martinet and the time he bumped his head in Kyoto. Finally, he thanked him for his work and good wishes and invited all fans to participate in upcoming events to celebrate the renowned voice actor.
Despite being an informative and entertaining video, a slight tinge of nostalgia is felt when bidding farewell to the person who has been voicing Nintendo’s most iconic character since the highly successful and memorable game Super Mario 64 released in 1996. With his characteristic charisma, Charles expresses his immense gratitude at the end of the video to each and every Mario fan. “It’s been such an honor, and such a joy, for so many years, that I look forward to continuing to bring that joy and help us all remember our innocence, and our happiness, and our joy, through great games.” While fans will still be able to see Martinet and interact with him at future events, his absence will undoubtedly be felt in future Super Mario games.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder launches on October 20, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.