The iconic voice of Mario, Charles ‘Chaz’ Martinet, steps down after 27 years
Fans express admiration for Martinet, praising his interactions with fans and his role as a spokesperson for Nintendo. Martinet will transition into a new position called Mario Ambassador, which could involve PR and special events. Many users hope that Nintendo will take care of Martinet, recognizing his contribution to the success of the Mario franchise.
“I’ll still be a part of Nintendo, but as a Mario Ambassador,” Martinet says in the Nintendo Direct. “I’ll still be doing appearances, and going to conventions, and doing signings, and meeting fans, and doing what I’ve been doing for 27 years.”
Some users argue that Martinet’s genuine excitement for the role cannot be replicated or bought. Others speculate on the potential benefits and drawbacks of Martinet’s new role as Mario Ambassador.
“I can’t see how they couldn’t replace him with a professional voice actor,” one user writes. “A voice actor who can do a large number of different voices, rather than just Mario.”
“[Nintendo] will just get a voice actor to imitate Charles,” another user replies. “I don’t think they’ll get someone who can match his inflections.”
“[I] hope they don’t replace him with a professional voice actor,” another user writes. “It’s Charles’s enthusiasm that makes him so perfect for Mario.”
“[I] hope they don’t hire someone who has tons of experience doing Voice Acting for video games,” another user replies. “The catchphrases are iconic because of Charles’s delivery.”
“[I] hope they replace [Arlo] with a Pikmin ambassador,” another writes.
“I’ll still be a part of Nintendo, but as a Mario Ambassador,” Martinet says.
The news of Martinet stepping down evokes mixed emotions from fans, with some feeling sad and others seeing it as a natural progression.
“I’m really sad he’s leaving,” one user writes. “He is the voice of Mario to me.”
“[I] feel bad,” another replies. “[I] wish he could stay, but it’s understandable.”
“[I] never liked Mario’s voice,” a third user writes. “[I] always preferred Lou Albano, [Mario’s voice actor] from the cartoons.”
“[I] just hope it’s not Chris Pratt,” another user replies.
“[I] wish that we could just leave Mario alone and let him be,” another writes. “[I] know it’s impossible but it’s just so strange that he has to keep changing.”
“[I] hope he didn’t say anything else besides ‘Thank you Mario, but our princess is in another castle’,” another user replies.
“Mario has many voices,” another user writes. “[I] hope they keep Luigi and Wario.”
“Mario has many voices,” another user writes.
There are also humorous comments referencing Chris Pratt’s upcoming portrayal of Mario in the animated film:
“I’m so sad,” one user writes. “Mario will never be the same.”
“[I] just want to tell you that I love you,” another replies. “[I] love your voice and your personality.”
“[I] love you too,” the original poster responds.
“Great, now I’m never going to be able to hear Mario’s ‘thank you’ without thinking of Chris Pratt,” another user writes.
“[I] bid you farewell,” another replies. “[I] hope you enjoyed the game…”
One user shares the following comment, which may or may not be a joke:
“I hope he’s not saying anything bad about Nintendo,” another user writes.
“[I] wonder if he’s said anything other than the iconic catchphrases associated with Mario,” another replies.
