Voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario and more to retire from Nintendo

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Its-a no longer me... Mario and the other voices being replaced in Nintendo games.

After 27 years of voicing Mario in Mario Kart, Super Mario Bros and all your favourite Nintendo games, Charles Martinet is retiring.

Nintendo announced the news to fans on social media that "the original voice of Mario" was stepping back from voicing for the game.

And you can't talk about Mario without mentioning his brother, the other half of the Italian-plumber-duo, Luigi.

He'll also be sounding a little different as he was voiced by Martinet, as were their evil nemeses Wario and Waluigi.

Did Charles Martinet voice Mario in the film?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, 'Lets-a go' ... Around the world as a 'Mario Ambassador'

Martinet has voiced the character since 1996, appearing in many games such as the Mario Kart and Mario Party series.

But actor Chris Pratt voiced Mario in 2023 movie, with Martinet providing voices for Giuseppe and Mario's dad instead.

What's next for Martinet, the voice of Mario?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The brother double act were both voiced by the same man

While this news might seem sad, things are looking princess-peachy for the American voice actor.

Nintendo thanked him for his work bringing Mario to life and announced that he would still be working with them, only now as a "Mario-ambassador".

That means he will get to travel the world "sharing the joy of Mario" and greeting people with his famous phrase "It's a me, Mario" for some time to come.