Nintendo Releases New Video About Charles Martinet’s New Mario Ambassador Role

Nintendo announced last month that long-time Mario voice actor Charles Martinet would no longer be voicing the character. The company stopped short of revealing who is taking over the role, although it did say we’d find out in the upcoming release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which does not feature Martinet as Mario. 

Nintendo released its latest game, titled “Nintendo Switch”. video featuring Martinet and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto discussing their history together, the role of Mario, and Martinet’s new role, Mario Ambassador. 

You can watch the video in full below, but we’ve transcribed most of it for your reading as well:

Shigeru Miyamoto: “It has been quite a long time since I first met you, Charles-San, and since then, we have enjoyed a long journey together through many games and projects involving Mario and his friends. You voiced Mario for the first time in Super Mario 64 in 1996. Whenever we’d meet, you would always call me ‘Papa!’ We also filmed PR videos. You have traveled the world visiting events, joyfully performing the voice of Mario for fans, and putting smiles on people’s faces.

You always put joy first, so I’m sure that you’ll be an excellent Mario ambassador. Charles, in his new role as Mario ambassador, will travel the globe to meet with fans and perform the famous voices, sign autographs and enjoy interacting. Please check out the new voices that some Mario character have. Super Mario Bros. Wonder will be released on October. 

Charles-san’s dedication, talent and height (which I recall from when you nearly hit your head in the restaurant entrance at Kyoto) all make an impression. You have done a wonderful job in making our characters come to life through your voice. I’m very grateful. Looking forward to watching you share the moment with Nintendo fans around the globe. 

Charles-san, thank you very much. Charles-san: “Thank you very much.”

Charles Martinet: “I’m so grateful to you, Papa. For many years, it’s been a privilege to be able to bring your amazingly wonderful characters to life. I’m completely honored and joyed. I’m grateful. My favorite thing in the world is to meet Mario fans, fellow Mario fans like me, because I’m just so grateful for your joy and happiness and enthusiasm. I think all that we’re here to do, or all that I’m here to do, is touch your hearts, to make you smile, to make you laugh, and bring a little bit of that magic of happiness and 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 waiting to learn more about Martinet’s new Mario Ambassador role, read our hands-on impressions of Super Mario Bros. Wonder.