If you’ve played a Mario game in the last two decades, you know her voice. It’s that high-pitched, bubbly, and occasionally sassy tone that defines Princess Peach. Samantha Kelly didn't just play a character; she basically built the modern personality of gaming's most famous royal.
But things changed fast.
Lately, the Nintendo community has been buzzing. It’s not just about a new game or a power-up. It’s about a massive shift in the soul of the franchise. Samantha Kelly, the woman who voiced Peach, Toad, and Toadette for nearly 20 years, is no longer the voice of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The Era of Samantha Kelly and Princess Peach
Samantha Kelly stepped into those iconic pink heels back in 2007. Her debut wasn't just a small cameo; it was a total takeover. She hit the ground running with Mario Party 8 and Mario Strikers Charged. Before her, Jen Taylor had the role, and while Taylor was great, Kelly brought a specific kind of "refined energy" that Nintendo stuck with for over 70 titles.
Think about that. Seventy games.
She voiced Peach through the Wii era, the Wii U's struggles, and the massive success of the Switch. When you hear Peach say "Peachy!" in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, that’s Sam. When Toad screams in terror—which happens a lot—that’s also Sam. Honestly, her range is kind of insane. She managed to give Toad a frantic, raspy charm while keeping Peach sounding like literal royalty.
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Beyond the Pink Dress
Kelly wasn't just Peach. She was the voice of the Toads. All of them. Mostly. She voiced:
- Princess Peach (The main gig)
- Toad (The panicked protector)
- Toadette (The pink-pigtail powerhouse)
- Baby Peach (The high-pitched infant version)
- Pink Gold Peach (The heavy, metallic variant)
It’s rare for a voice actor to become so synonymous with a brand. Fans grew up with her. She was a constant. Then, June 2025 happened.
The Recasting That No One Saw Coming
The way it went down was... well, it was a bit messy.
On June 5, 2025, Nintendo launched the Switch 2 along with its flagship title, Mario Kart World. Fans started digging through the credits immediately. They noticed something weird. Samantha Kelly's name wasn't there.
Usually, when a legendary actor leaves, there’s a big "thank you" tour. Look at Charles Martinet. When he stepped down as Mario, Nintendo made him a "Mario Ambassador." He got a video with Shigeru Miyamoto. It was a whole thing.
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With Samantha Kelly? It was different.
She reportedly found out she had been replaced the very day the game came out. Imagine voicing a character for 18 years and finding out you’re done because your name isn't on the screen anymore. She posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, "I truly would have wanted to voice Peach and Toad forever." It was graceful, but you could tell it stung.
Why the change?
Nintendo hasn't given a straight answer, but the "New Direction" theory is the big one. With the hardware leap to the Switch 2, they seem to be refreshing everything. They did it with Mario (Kevin Afghani took over for Martinet), and now they’ve done it with Peach and Toad. Courtney Lin has since been identified as the new voice behind the crown.
Some fans think it’s about pay or contracts. Others think Nintendo wants voices that can do more "cinematic" dialogue rather than just "wahoo" and "oh did I win?" Whatever the reason, it marks the end of an era.
Why Samantha Kelly Matters to Gaming History
Voice acting in games used to be an afterthought. In the 80s and 90s, it was often just developers yelling into a mic. Samantha Kelly helped turn Princess Peach into a fully realized person.
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In Princess Peach: Showtime!, which was one of her final major performances in 2024, she had to play a dozen different versions of the character. Cowgirl Peach, Ninja Peach, Detective Peach—Kelly had to tweak the performance for every single one. It showed that Peach wasn't just a "damsel" anymore. She had agency. She had a personality that felt consistent even when she was swinging a sword or solving a mystery.
The E-E-A-T Perspective: Is the Change Good?
From an industry standpoint, recasting is inevitable. But from a fan perspective, it’s a loss of continuity.
- Nuance: Kelly’s Toad had a specific grit to it that's hard to replicate without sounding like a parody.
- Emotional Connection: For Gen Z and late Millennials, Kelly is the voice of their childhood.
- The "Mario Wonder" Shift: Even in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, you could hear a slight shift in direction. Nintendo is moving toward a more expressive, talkative style of gameplay.
The Future of the Mushroom Kingdom
Courtney Lin has big shoes to fill. If you've played Mario Kart World, you’ve heard the new take. It’s similar—Nintendo clearly wanted to keep the "vibe" the same—but it’s not Sam Kelly. It’s a bit crisper, maybe a bit more modern.
As for Samantha, she’s still a powerhouse in the VO world. She’s worked for massive brands like Amazon, Microsoft, and Nordstrom. She isn't going anywhere; she's just moving on from the castle.
If you’re a fan, the best way to honor her run is to actually look at the credits. Voice actors are the unsung heroes of gaming. They provide the "soul" of the pixels we love. Sam Kelly gave Peach a soul for nearly two decades.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors
- Follow the Talent: If you miss Sam's voice, follow her professional updates. Many voice actors from Nintendo titles frequent the convention circuit (like PAX or various Comic-Cons).
- Study the Craft: If you're into voice acting, listen to the transition between Mario Party 7 (Jen Taylor) and Mario Party 8 (Samantha Kelly). Notice how the pitch stayed similar but the "attitude" changed. It’s a masterclass in character maintenance.
- Check the Credits: Don't just skip the scrolling text. With the Switch 2 era in full swing, more legacy voices might be changing. Keeping an eye on the credits is the only way to know who is actually behind your favorite characters in this new "New Direction" era.
- Support the Newcomers: While it's sad to see a legend go, the new cast members are often fans themselves. Recasting is a standard part of the industry, and welcoming the new voices helps the community stay positive during these big transitions.