Nintendo has taken to social media to share a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto (creator of our favourite plumber) and Charles Martinet, the man who gave Mario a voice for nearly 30 years to clarify what exactly lies in Charles’ future.
It was announced back in August that Charles Martinet would no longer be providing the aforementioned voice, with the details mentioning his transition to a ‘Mario Ambassador’ role. Charles later quipped that he wasn’t fully across what that meant – but was obviously optimistic.
It turns out that a Mario Ambassador will be an advocate for the brand, so Charles will get to continue travelling and meeting with fans – something he has often shared is a passion for him. Basically a fan-centric spokesman, licensed and paid to deliver crisp high-fives to all.
Here’s a special video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Charles Martinet regarding the change of Mario’s voice actor, announced on 8/21. pic.twitter.com/4mOpD2Cx3a
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 7, 2023
The video is a heartfelt commemoration and thank you to Charles Martinet, for what is easily considered an iconic performance. Miyamoto also takes the opportunity to thank the actor for all that he has provided for Nintendo’s icon:
“The very first time you voiced Mario in a Super Mario game was Super Mario 64 back in 1996! Whenever we’d meet, you would always call me ‘Papa!’ and I also remember filming PR videos together.”
It’s sweet beyond words, and well worth a watch if you appreciate the unique relationship that a juggernaut of entertainment like Nintendo has fostered with such a kind and humble individual. I think Charles is an iconic human, one of those prototype people that breaks the mould of their industry.
Seriously, look at how he personifies Wario when doing a quick greeting:
I love when he did the Wario voice pic.twitter.com/zKjhaqX1sV
— Sᴀᴍᴇʀ Kʜᴀᴛɪʙ (@snowconesolid) September 7, 2023
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A legend by every metric, it is such a joy to hear that his new job is to basically celebrate the characters he loves and interact with the fans that adore him. What a gig – and what a guy.
What is your favourite Charles Martinet character voice? Is it Waliugi? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
Known throughout the interwebs simply as M0D3Rn, Ash is bad at video games. An old guard gamer who suffers from being generally opinionated, it comes as no surprise that he is both brutally loyal and yet, fiercely whimsical about all things electronic. On occasion will make a youtube video that actually gets views. Follow him on YouTube @Bad at Video Games
