“These are my boys” Charles Martinet uttered, signifying the last line he will say in the Mario world. Mario ‘Jumpman’ Mario, has been in the gaming scene for over four decades, being in a variety of titles, he has taught typing, saved the Mushroom Kingdom on numerous occasions, and has played just about every type of sport known to man. Ever since his appearance in Donkey Kong, Mario has been the face of Nintendo and a prominent figure on the Mount Rushmore of gaming. No man has captured the essence of Mario as much as Charles Martinet.
Charles Martinet, a Californian-born voice actor, was given the voice role of Mario in 1994, after his rocky audition in 1991. Martinet earned this part by doing a different take on the role than most would give. He decided to do a more kid-friendly performance of the Brooklyn Italian plumber, while most of the other potential Marios gave a more hearty performance.
It was a gamble that paid off in the most spectacular fashion. Martinet’s portrayal of Mario, with his infectious enthusiasm and iconic catchphrase, “It’s-a me, Mario!” became the voice of a generation. From that moment forward, whenever players embarked on a new adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom, they knew they were in for a delightful, larger-than-life performance by Martinet.
For nearly three decades, Charles Martinet’s voice provided the soundtrack to countless gaming experiences. He didn’t just voice Mario; he breathed life into him. Martinet’s talent extended beyond just Mario; he voiced other beloved characters in the franchise, including Mario’s loyal brother, Luigi, the mischievous Wario, and his partner in crime Waluigi. Each character had its own unique charm and personality, thanks to Martinet’s versatile vocal skills.
But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. At the reveal of the next game in the Mario franchise titled “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”, fans realized that the Mario they heard in the trailer was not the Mario they’d come to expect. Shortly after, Nintendo made an official announcement stating that Charles Martinet would be retiring as the voice of Mario, but in turn, a new position was formed for him, entitled Mario Ambassador.
The role of the Mario Ambassador is a testament to Martinet’s enduring impact on Nintendo and the gaming world as a whole. What the role of Mario Ambassador will entail exactly isn’t known, but what is, is that Charles Martinet will be able to continue to bring joy to many through being the voice of multiple generations’ childhoods.
At the end of the day, Charles Martinet’s retirement as the voice of Mario marked the end of an era, but it was also the start of a new chapter in the character’s history. His contributions to the world of gaming are immeasurable, and his upcoming role as the Mario Ambassador is a fitting tribute to his decades of dedication. While the voice of Mario may be changing, the enduring love for the character and his adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom will remain unchanged, thanks to the indomitable spirit of both Mario and Charles Martinet.
