You know that high-pitched, sweet-as-sugar "Peachy!" that rings out every time you pick her in Mario Kart? It’s iconic. It’s childhood. It’s also changing. Honestly, most people don’t even realize that the voice of Princess Peach has been a revolving door of talent for decades. It isn't just one person behind that pink parasol.
We’ve officially entered a new era. With the launch of the Switch 2 and the massive release of Mario Kart World in 2025, Nintendo pulled the trigger on a total cast overhaul. It wasn’t just Mario getting a fresh set of pipes with Kevin Afghani. Peach got a new voice too.
And the way it happened? Kinda messy.
Who is the new voice of Princess Peach?
If you've been playing the latest Nintendo titles, you're hearing Courtney Lin. She officially took over the throne as the voice of Princess Peach starting with Mario Kart World in mid-2025.
Lin isn’t a newbie to the industry by any stretch. You might recognize her from Neon White or her work as Draculaura in Monster High. Taking on Peach, though? That’s a whole different level of pressure. She’s also handling Baby Peach, which makes sense given how Nintendo usually bundles these roles.
The transition was a bit of a shocker. Samantha Kelly, who had been the voice for a staggering 18 years, basically found out she was being replaced on the very day the new hardware launched. June 5, 2025. She posted on Instagram that she was "sad that it’s over" but grateful for the run. It felt abrupt. To the fans, it felt like the end of an institution.
The Samantha Kelly Era: 2007–2024
Most of us grew up with Samantha Kelly. She started back in 2007 with Mario Strikers Charged and Mario Party 8. For nearly two decades, she was the definitive Peach.
She didn't just do the main games. She was the voice in over 70 titles. Think about that. Super Mario Galaxy, Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. She also voiced Toad and Toadette. When you think of Peach’s "soft but determined" vibe, you’re thinking of Kelly’s direction.
Nintendo’s decision to recast was likely about longevity. As they move into a "new era" with the Switch 2, they seem to be looking for younger talent who can commit to the next twenty years. It happened to Charles Martinet (Mario), and it happened to Deanna Mustard (Daisy), who was replaced by Giselle Fernandez in 2023.
A History of Royal Voices
Peach hasn't always sounded the same. If you go back to the N64 days, the voice was actually Leslie Swan.
Swan wasn't even a professional voice actress at the time; she was a localization manager at Nintendo of America. She penned the English script for Super Mario 64 and then-director Shigeru Miyamoto basically asked her to step into the booth. She once told Nintendo Power that being asked to sound "sweet" was a bit of a stretch for her. She voiced Peach in the original Mario Kart 64 as well.
Then came the Jen Taylor years.
- 1999–2005: Jen Taylor (yes, the voice of Cortana from Halo) took over.
- The Vibe: Taylor’s Peach was a bit more "classic damsel," very high-pitched and airy.
- The Switch: She eventually stepped away to focus on theater work in Seattle.
There was even a brief stint where Nicole Mills took the reins for games like Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time before Samantha Kelly stabilized the role for the long haul.
The Hollywood Factor: Anya Taylor-Joy
We can’t talk about the voice of Princess Peach without mentioning the movies. In the 2023 The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and its upcoming 2026 sequel, Peach is voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy.
This was a massive departure. The movie Peach isn't a damsel. She’s a leader. A warrior. Taylor-Joy brought a much deeper, more grounded tone to the character. It worked for the big screen, but Nintendo has kept the "game voice" and the "movie voice" separate. You won't hear Anya Taylor-Joy shouting "Bingo!" when you hit a drift in Mario Kart.
Why does the voice change so much?
Nintendo is notoriously tight-lipped about why they swap actors. Usually, it comes down to three things:
- Localization Changes: Back in the 90s, they just used whoever was in the office.
- Contractual Resets: New console generations often lead to new talent contracts.
- Creative Direction: Sometimes they want the character to sound more "modern" or "action-oriented," like the shift we saw in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
What this means for the future
Courtney Lin has big shoes to fill. Fans are picky. If you listen closely to her performance in Mario Kart World, she’s playing it safe—blending the sweetness of Kelly with a bit of the raspiness of the earlier years. It’s a delicate balance.
If you’re a fan or a creator looking to keep up with these changes, here is the move:
- Check the credits: Don't assume. Nintendo often "stealth replaces" actors in spin-off titles.
- Follow the actors: Samantha Kelly and Courtney Lin are both active on social media. They often share "behind the scenes" tidbits that Nintendo officially hides.
- Watch the 2026 Movie: The sequel is expected to further evolve how Peach sounds, potentially influencing the games down the line.
The throne is never empty for long. While we miss the familiar "Have a nice day!" from the Kelly era, the character of Peach is bigger than any one performer. She’s an icon. And she’s finally getting a voice that matches her status as a Nintendo powerhouse.