You've heard it a thousand times. That high-pitched, joyous warble coming from your TV speakers. It’s the sound of a childhood spent in front of a CRT monitor or a modern Switch. But honestly, have you ever actually stopped to listen to what’s being said? People think they know the script by heart. They're wrong.
Between the compressed audio of the 90s and the thick "Brooklyn-Italian" accent cooked up by Charles Martinet, what does the Mario say is actually a subject of heated debate, weird urban legends, and one very specific correction from the man himself.
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The Mystery of the Mario 64 Goodbye
If you grew up with a Nintendo 64, you definitely remember the Bowser fights. You grab the tail. You spin. You toss that giant turtle into a floating bomb. As Bowser flies off into the distance, Mario lets out a triumphant farewell.
For over twenty years, the internet was convinced Mario was saying "So long, gay Bowser!" It became a massive meme. It was the kind of thing you’d whisper to your friends at recess, feeling slightly rebellious.
Eventually, the noise got loud enough that Charles Martinet had to step in. In 2019, he took to Twitter to set the record straight. Mario wasn't making a comment on Bowser's personal life. He was saying, "So long, King-a Bowser!"
The "a" at the end of "King" was just that classic exaggerated Italian inflection. Because the N64 audio was so compressed, the "K" sound got buried, and the "ing-a" ended up sounding remarkably like a different word. When Nintendo released Super Mario 3D All-Stars, they actually changed the line to a simple "Buh-bye!" just to avoid the headache. Kinda kills the mystery, doesn't it?
It’s Not Just "It's-a Me"
The phrase "It's-a me, Mario!" is probably the most famous voice line in the history of entertainment. It’s right up there with "Bond, James Bond."
But did you know it was basically an accident?
When Martinet showed up to his audition, the producers were already packing up. They told him he was an Italian plumber from Brooklyn. He didn't want to do a gruff, gravelly voice because he thought it would scare kids. Instead, he channeled a "friendly" version of a character he'd played before. He just started talking about making a pizza pie and never stopped until the tape ran out.
The Sleep Talking Secret
Most people only hear the catchphrases during gameplay. If you’ve ever left Mario standing still for too long in Super Mario 64 or Odyssey, he eventually curls up and takes a nap.
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He doesn't just snore.
He talks in his sleep. He mutters about food. "Nighty nighty... Ah, spaghetti... Ah, ravioli... Mamma mia." It’s a tiny detail that makes the character feel human. Or at least, like a guy who is very, very motivated by carbs.
Beyond the "Wahoo"
Mario’s vocabulary isn't huge. He isn't exactly Shakespeare. But the sheer variety of ways he says "Yahoo" is a feat of voice acting.
- The Triple Jump: "Yah! Hoo! Wahoo!"
- The Damage Sound: "Oof!" or "Mamma mia!"
- The Victory: "Mario number one!"
Lately, things have changed. After 30 years, Charles Martinet stepped down to become a "Mario Ambassador." Now we have Kevin Afghani. When Super Mario Bros. Wonder came out, fans were listening with a magnifying glass.
People were worried. Would it sound like an impersonator?
Afghani brings a slightly higher, more energetic energy to the role. He’s younger, and it shows in the "wahoos." He sounds a bit more like the Mario of the mid-90s than the slightly deeper, older Mario we heard in the late 2010s. It’s a subtle shift, but for the hardcore fans who spend 100 hours in the Mushroom Kingdom, the difference is clear.
The Weirdest Misconception: The Japanese "Isumi" Theory
There’s a bizarre rumor that has been floating around TikTok and Reddit for a few years. It claims that Mario isn't saying "It's-a me," but rather "Its-umi Mario."
The theory goes that "Itsumi" is Japanese for "Super," so he’s actually saying "Super Mario."
Let's be real: this is total nonsense.
First off, Martinet doesn't speak Japanese. Second, the official subtitles in every single Nintendo-approved product say "It's-a me." Third, the grammar doesn't even work in Japanese. It’s a classic example of someone finding a coincidence and trying to turn it into a deep-state conspiracy. Mario is an Italian-American plumber. He says "It's-a me." End of story.
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Why the Voice Matters
Mario's voice is the soul of the franchise. In the early days, he was just a collection of red pixels. He didn't need to speak. But as games got more cinematic, he needed a personality.
He isn't a complex hero with a dark past. He’s just a guy who is happy to be there.
That’s why the voice lines are so short. "Okey-dokey!" tells you everything you need to know about his attitude toward a life-threatening mission to a volcano. He’s ready. He’s optimistic. He’s probably thinking about ravioli.
If you want to experience the evolution of the voice yourself, go back and play Super Mario 64 and then jump straight into Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The hardware changed. The actors changed. But the "what does the Mario say" vibe remains exactly the same: pure, unadulterated joy.
Next Steps for the Mario Fan:
Check out the "Mario Ambassador" videos on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel to hear Charles Martinet talk about the legacy of the voice. If you're feeling nostalgic, fire up an emulator or your Switch and wait for Mario to fall asleep—hearing him mumble about pasta is still one of the best Easter eggs in gaming.