It was the "Wahoo!" heard 'round the world. For nearly thirty years, one man defined the sound of childhood for millions of people across every continent. If you closed your eyes and thought of the most famous plumber in history, you heard the high-pitched, joyful tenor of Charles Martinet. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the landscape shifted.
In 2023, Nintendo dropped a bombshell that felt like the end of an era. Martinet was stepping down. The search for the new voice actor of mario became the biggest mystery in the gaming industry for months. Fans scrutinized every trailer for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, analyzing the subtle pitch shifts in a single "Wowie Zowie!" to figure out who was behind the mustache.
The Passing of the Torch: From Martinet to Afghani
It’s impossible to talk about the current state of Nintendo's mascot without looking at Kevin Afghani. He's the guy who took on what might be the most high-pressure job in entertainment history. Honestly, can you imagine the nerves? You aren't just voicing a character; you’re voicing the face of a multi-billion dollar brand.
Afghani’s debut in Super Mario Bros. Wonder was a fascinating moment for the community. Most people actually didn't notice a massive difference at first, which is a testament to his skill. He captures that same whimsical energy, though if you listen closely, his delivery is a bit punchier, maybe a slightly different resonance in the "Let’s-a go!" than what we were used to for decades.
Before Afghani, the voice actor of mario was, for all intents and purposes, a single man named Charles Martinet. He didn't just play Mario. He was Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi. The guy was a one-man symphony of Italian-accented joy.
Martinet’s story is legendary in the industry. He showed up late to an audition, crashed the room, and was told to play an Italian plumber from Brooklyn. Instead of the gruff, raspy voice everyone expected, he went for something light, kind, and approachable. He figured if he was going to be talking to kids, he should sound like someone they’d actually want to hang out with. That whim changed the course of pop culture history.
Why the Change Happened
Nintendo has been pretty tight-lipped about the "why" behind the transition. They officially moved Martinet into a "Mario Ambassador" role, which basically means he travels the world, meets fans, and signs autographs without having to spend hours in a recording booth at 68 years old. It makes sense. Recording those high-energy lines is physically taxing. Screaming "Mama Mia!" at the top of your lungs for four hours is a young man's game.
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Kevin Afghani represents a new chapter. He’s younger, energetic, and brings a slightly modern crispness to the role. What's interesting is that Nintendo didn't go for a celebrity. They didn't hire a Hollywood A-lister for the games—though they did for the movie, which is a whole different can of worms. They chose a dedicated voice actor who could respect the legacy while making the role his own.
The Chris Pratt Controversy and the Movie Universe
We have to address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Chris Pratt in the room. When Illumination and Nintendo announced that Chris Pratt would be the voice actor of mario for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the internet basically melted down.
People were livid. Why not Charles?
The reality of film marketing is often different from game development. Studios want a "bankable" name on the poster to pull in general audiences who might not care about gaming history. Pratt’s performance was... fine. It was different. He played Mario as a regular guy from Brooklyn, leaning into those 1980s roots rather than the high-pitched whimsical version from the N64 era. It worked for a ninety-minute narrative film where Mario needed to have actual conversations and emotional arcs, but it’s definitely not the "canon" voice for the interactive games.
Interestingly, Martinet did have a cameo in the movie as Mario’s dad and a character named Giuseppe. It was a classy way to tip the hat to the legend while moving the brand into a new medium.
The Secret History: Mario Wasn't Always "Wahoo!"
A lot of younger fans think Mario always sounded like Charles Martinet. Nope. Not even close. Before the mid-90s, Mario’s voice was all over the place.
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- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989): Captain Lou Albano gave Mario a gruff, gravelly Brooklyn accent. This was the definitive Mario for a generation of kids who grew up on Saturday morning cartoons.
- The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3: Walker Boone took over the role, keeping that tough New York vibe.
- Hotel Mario (1994): Marc Graue voiced him in what is widely considered one of the weirdest (and most memed) games in the franchise.
- Mario Teaches Typing (1992): This was actually one of Martinet's first times in the hat, but it wasn't yet the "standard" version.
It wasn't until Super Mario 64 in 1996 that the world collectively decided: "Okay, this is what he sounds like now." That game was a paradigm shift. For the first time, Mario wasn't just a sprite; he was a personality. He talked to you. He fell asleep and muttered about ravioli if you left the controller alone.
What It Takes to Be the Voice Actor of Mario
You might think it’s just about doing a funny accent. It isn't. To be the voice actor of mario, you have to maintain a very specific "energy profile."
Mario is perpetually optimistic. Even when he’s falling into lava or getting hit by a blue shell, there’s an inherent kindness to the character. Kevin Afghani had to study decades of Martinet’s work to ensure the transition wasn't jarring for players. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, his work is subtle. He handles the power-up sounds, the grunts of exertion, and the short catchphrases with a precision that honors the past.
There's also the technical side. Nintendo is notoriously perfectionistic. They don't just record a "Yippee!" and call it a day. They record dozens of variations. Each one has to fit the timing of the jump, the intensity of the action, and the specific vibe of the level. It's grueling work that requires incredible vocal control.
The Evolution of the "Mario Voice"
Over time, the voice has actually softened. If you go back and listen to the earliest Martinet recordings, they’re a bit sharper, almost more cartoonish. By the time we got to Super Mario Odyssey, the voice had become more rounded, more "musical."
Kevin Afghani seems to be leaning back into that musicality. In Wonder, the game itself is very rhythmic, and the voice acting reflects that. It's bouncy.
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Why We Care So Much
It sounds silly to get worked up over who says "It’s-a me!" But Mario is more than a character. He’s a digital constant. In a world where everything changes—consoles get discontinued, companies go bust, graphics get outdated—Mario stays. His voice is the sound of comfort for multiple generations.
When the voice actor of mario changes, it feels like a member of the family is being replaced. That’s why the transition from Martinet to Afghani was handled with such care. It wasn't a firing; it was a graduation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors
If you're following the career of Kevin Afghani or just want to appreciate the craft more, there are a few things you can do to really hear the nuance in the performance:
- A/B Testing: Play Super Mario Odyssey for thirty minutes, then immediately switch to Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Pay attention to the "landing" sounds (when Mario hits the ground). You'll notice Afghani uses a slightly different breath support than Martinet.
- Check the Credits: Kevin Afghani isn't just Mario. He's also the voice of Arnold in Genshin Impact. Listening to his other roles shows you his range and helps you appreciate how much work goes into "masking" his natural voice to become the plumber.
- Follow the Legacy: Charles Martinet is still active on social media and at conventions. If you ever get the chance to see him speak about his "Ambassador" role, do it. His philosophy on "finding the joy" in a character is a masterclass for any creative professional.
- Support the New Era: Voice acting is a volatile industry. Welcoming new talent like Afghani ensures that these characters can live on for another forty years without becoming stagnant or relying on AI-generated clips, which Nintendo has thankfully avoided.
The transition is complete. Kevin Afghani is our Mario now. He’s earned his cap, and based on the success of the recent games, the "Wahoo!" is in very safe hands. Whether you grew up with Captain Lou's gravelly tones or Martinet's operatic joy, there's room for everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom. Just remember: it's not the overalls that make the man; it's the heart behind the "Mama Mia."
Next Steps for Gaming Enthusiasts:
To get a deeper look at how the voice actor of mario is chosen, you can research the history of Nintendo's localization team, specifically "Treehouse," which oversees the voice direction for the North American market. You can also track the credits of upcoming titles like Mario & Luigi: Brothership to see how Kevin Afghani continues to evolve the role across different sub-franchises. Following the SAG-AFTRA developments regarding voice actors in gaming will also give you a better understanding of the labor and rights issues currently facing performers like Afghani and his peers.