It’s the most recognizable voice on the planet. Honestly, you could play a half-second clip of a high-pitched "Wahoo!" in a crowded airport, and half the people there would instinctively look for a gold coin. For nearly thirty years, that voice belonged to one man: Charles Martinet. But things have changed. If you’ve picked up a Nintendo Switch lately, you might have noticed the "It’s-a-me!" sounds just a little bit different.
That’s because we’ve entered a new era.
The search for the super mario voice actor used to have a one-word answer. Now, it’s a bit more complicated. Kevin Afghani is the new guy in the red hat, taking over a legacy that feels almost impossible to fill. It isn't just about mimicry; it’s about capturing the soul of a character who has been the face of gaming since the eighties.
The Charles Martinet Era: How a Crashed Audition Changed History
Charles Martinet didn't even have an invitation to the audition. He literally walked in as they were closing up. The prompt was simple: "You're an Italian plumber from Brooklyn." Most actors would have gone for the gravelly, "Hey, I'm walkin' here!" vibe. Martinet thought that would be too harsh for kids. He wanted something softer, something like a "Wahoo!" that sounded like a hug. He kept talking until the tape ran out.
He got the job.
Initially, he wasn't in the games. He was a 3D face on a screen at trade shows, talking to kids in real-time through a motion-capture rig. It was weird. It was experimental. But it worked. When Super Mario 64 launched in 1996, his voice became canon. It’s hard to overstate how much he defined the character. He wasn't just Mario; he was Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and the babies.
He did it for 27 years.
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Think about that. In an industry where voice actors are often swapped out for celebrities or cheaper talent, Martinet was the constant. He became a "Mario Ambassador," a title he still holds today. It’s basically a lifetime achievement award that lets him travel the world and meet fans without the strain of recording "It's-a-go time!" for the ten-thousandth time in a booth.
Enter Kevin Afghani: The New Voice of the Mushroom Kingdom
When Super Mario Bros. Wonder was announced, fans immediately started squinting with their ears. Something was off. The "Wowie Zowie!" sounded familiar, but the pitch was slightly higher, the energy a bit more... youthful? Nintendo kept it a secret for months. They didn't put the name in the credits of the demo. They wanted the gameplay to speak for itself.
Then we got the name: Kevin Afghani.
He’s a young guy. He’s a fan. Before landing the biggest role in gaming history, he was doing voice work for Genshin Impact (he played Arnold) and various commercials. Taking over for Martinet is like being the guy who replaces Derek Jeter or Tom Brady. You aren't just doing a job; you’re managing a global icon.
Why the Change Happened
Nintendo is notoriously private, but it’s pretty clear this was a natural transition. Martinet is in his late 60s. Mario is, well, eternally energetic. The physical toll of screaming "Yippee!" in a high falsetto for hours on end is real. Plus, with the Super Mario Bros. Movie using Chris Pratt, there was a brief moment of panic where fans thought the "Hollywood-ification" of Mario was coming to the games.
Thankfully, Nintendo stuck to their guns. They wanted a dedicated super mario voice actor who could carry the torch for the next thirty years. Afghani’s performance in Wonder and Mario & Luigi: Brothership proves he can do the range. He’s got the Mario "Woo!" down, but his Luigi is where he really shines—capturing that nervous, shaky energy that makes the younger brother so relatable.
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The Chris Pratt Controversy: Why the Movie Was Different
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Chris Pratt in the room. When Illumination and Nintendo announced the movie casting, the internet basically exploded. People wanted Martinet. They felt he earned it.
But movies are a different beast.
A 90-minute film where the protagonist speaks exclusively in high-pitched catchphrases would be, frankly, exhausting. You need a speaking voice that can handle dialogue, emotion, and plot exposition. Pratt’s "Brooklyn-lite" accent was a callback to the original Super Mario Bros. Super Show from the 80s, where Captain Lou Albano played the plumber with a much deeper, grittier tone.
It was a divisive choice. However, the movie made over a billion dollars. Clearly, the general public didn't mind as much as the hardcore fans on Reddit did. Martinet still got a cameo (actually two), playing Mario’s dad and a character named Giuseppe. It was a passing of the baton, even if it wasn't the one people expected.
How to Tell the Voices Apart
If you’re a real nerd about this, you can start to hear the technical differences between the two main game actors.
- Vibrato: Martinet’s Mario had a slight, gravelly vibrato when he held out notes. Think of the way he says "Thank you so much for-a playing my game!"
- Pitch: Afghani sits a little higher in the throat. His Mario feels "lighter."
- The "W" sounds: Listen to the way they say "Wonder." Afghani has a very clean, crisp attack on his consonants.
It's sorta like when a new singer takes over a legendary band. At first, you only hear what’s different. After a few hours of gameplay, you stop noticing and just enjoy the ride. That’s the mark of a good super mario voice actor. If you forget there's a guy in a booth and just see the plumber, they've won.
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Is the Voice All Digital Now?
There’s a common misconception that Nintendo just uses an AI or a soundboard of old Martinet clips. This is 100% false. Nintendo is incredibly old-school about their craft. Every "Wahoo" in a new game is a fresh recording. They value the "human" element of the performance—the slight cracks in the voice, the breath, the timing.
While AI technology could probably mimic the voice perfectly at this point, the legal and ethical nightmare of doing so isn't something a company like Nintendo wants to touch. They want a living, breathing performer who can show up to events, do interviews, and bring a personality to the role.
What This Means for the Future of Nintendo
With Mario & Luigi: Brothership and Super Mario Bros. Wonder out, Afghani has solidified his spot. He isn't a "replacement" anymore; he’s the guy. We’re likely going to see him voice Mario in the next "Switch 2" (or whatever it ends up being called) flagship 3D Mario title.
The transition shows that Nintendo is thinking about the long game. They are future-proofing their most valuable asset. By bringing in a younger actor now, they ensure consistency for the next two decades. For a generation of kids playing Wonder as their first Mario game, Kevin Afghani is Mario. Just like for 90s kids, Charles Martinet was the only one that mattered.
What to Do if You're a Fan of the Voice
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the super mario voice actor, there are a few things you can actually do to appreciate the craft:
- Watch "The Mario Masterclass": There are several old videos on YouTube of Charles Martinet explaining his process. It’s a masterclass in improv and vocal health.
- Check the Credits: Don't just skip them. Look for names like Samantha Kelly (Peach/Toad) and Kenny James (Bowser). These actors have been in their roles for years and deserve the recognition.
- Listen to the "Brothership" Dialogue: Pay close attention to the "gibberish" Italian-sounding talk Luigi and Mario do in the RPGs. It’s much harder to act than the standard catchphrases because it requires pure emotional inflection without real words.
- Follow the New Talent: Kevin Afghani is active on social media and often shares his excitement about the role. Supporting the new era helps ensure the community stays positive during this massive transition.
The voice of Mario isn't just a sound effect. It's a legacy of joy. Whether it's the classic Martinet "Mamma Mia!" or the new Afghani "Wowie Zowie!", the goal remains the same: making you feel like a kid again, jumping for a flagpole in a world made of blocks and mushrooms.