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by Domagoj Belancic
"Mamma Mia!" - Original voice of Mario retires after more than 30 years
22.8.2023
Translation: machine translated
Charles Martinet, the original Mario voice actor, is retiring at the age of 67. His iconic voice can be heard in 130 Nintendo games.
In a tweet, Nintendo announces that Charles Martinet is stepping down as the spokesperson for Mario and other Nintendo characters. In future, he will be travelling the world in the role of "Mario Ambassador". Nintendo has not yet revealed exactly what his new function will entail.
Most Nintendo fans didn't get to enjoy Martinet's voice until Super Mario 64 in 1996. The first 3D Mario game was the starting point for iconic voice clips such as "Mamma mia", "let's-a-go" and "yahooooo".
Martinet's voice can be heard in a total of 130 (!) Nintendo games. In addition to Mario, he has also voiced other characters from the Mario universe, including Luigi, Waluigi, Wario and the baby versions of Mario and Luigi. Martinet's last appearance was in the strategy game "Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope".
Despite the rumours, the news comes as a surprise to many Mario fans. Just two years ago, Martinet announced at a fan expo: "I want to lend my voice to Mario until I drop dead". It is still unclear who will take on the role of Mario in the future.
Martinet himself thanked his fans in a short tweet. He is looking forward to his new adventure as a "Mario Ambassador".
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Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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