Charles Martinet has been the original voice of Mario in Nintendo games for a long time, as far back as Super Mario 64. Charles is now moving into the brand new role of Mario Ambassador. With this transition, he will be stepping back from recording character voices for our games, but he'll continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!

It has been an honour working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him. Please keep an eye out for a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles himself, which we will post at a future date

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[–] exoplanetary@lemmy.world 34 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Honestly that’s fair. Dude’s getting old, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect him to voice Mario forever. I’m glad they’ve got him as an ambassador though, for now at least. I’d imagine he’ll help whoever next voices Mario get it right so his voice isn’t too radically different.

[–] EsheLynn@lemmy.blahaj.zone -5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It's just a shame he's been downgraded to what appears to be a sideshow piece. I mean, if he's happy doing it, more power to him. He's been Mario for, like, 20 years? Good luck to the next Mario. Those are some big overalls to fill.

[–] MrZee@lemm.ee 23 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I recall correctly, he says it is hard on his vocal chords to do the voice. Have you read something where he says he wants to keep doing the voice acting? Or might he be happy to move to an easier role?

[–] EsheLynn@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

No, not at all. Just sad cuz nostalgia is all. Cool he wants to travel and meet fans of him and the franchise, it's just.... Again, kinda feels like a bit of a travelling sideshow attraction is all. Maybe it would be better if he retired is my point of view. It would bother me to be reduced to what feels like a circus act or county fair attraction. "Come see the Bearded Lady, after that, get Charles Martinet's autograph!" Ya know?

Edit to add: at the same time, I do get that this is apparently Martinet and Nintendo wanting to continue to work together. Hell, maybe I should take my nostalgia glasses off. He gets to travel the world on Nintendo's dime, and get paid to do it. Probably not too bad of a retirement I guess.

[–] magic_lobster_party@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

He started at Nintendo 1991, so more than 30 years.

[–] crashoverride@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

30, almost 30 years. You lost a decade somewhere bro