The digital world of the Mushroom Kingdom is buzzing with an unexpected twist: Nintendo has quietly, yet definitively, replaced the longtime voice actors for two of its most beloved characters, Princess Peach and Toad. For years, their voices have been as iconic as the characters themselves, charming players across generations. This sudden shift, however, raises a lot of questions about continuity, character evolution, and the future of Nintendo’s flagship franchise.
Key Takeaways:
- Samantha Kelly, who voiced Peach and Toad since 2007, has been replaced.
- Kevin Afghani, known for his work in Genshin Impact and Dragon Ball R&D, is the new voice of Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
- The first game to feature the new voices for Peach and Toad is Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
- Nintendo has yet to issue an official statement regarding the voice change, leaving fans to speculate.
- This follows Charles Martinet stepping down as the primary voice of Mario.
A Quiet Transition: Who’s Out and Who’s In?
For 17 years, Samantha Kelly’s distinct voices for Princess Peach and Toad became inseparable from the Super Mario experience. Her cheery “Yay!” as Peach and spirited “I’m the best!” as Toad were as much a part of Mario’s world as the jumping plumber himself. So, it’s no small thing that Nintendo has now made a quiet change, ushering in new voices for these characters.
Though the change wasn’t publicly heralded, it was confirmed in the credits of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which revealed that the beloved Peach and Toad voices would no longer be Kelly’s. Who has taken over these iconic roles, though? That’s where the mystery deepens. Nintendo has yet to officially announce the new voice actors, leaving fans scrambling to piece together clues from the game’s credits and comparing performances to identify the new talent. This lack of clarity has fueled a wave of speculation, particularly given Kelly’s long-standing tenure.
The Bigger Picture: A Shifting Soundscape for Mario
The change in Peach and Toad’s voices is part of a broader trend. Earlier, Nintendo revealed that Charles Martinet—who had voiced Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi for over three decades—would step down from his primary voice duties. Martinet, whose iconic “It’s-a me, Mario!” became a cultural touchstone, transitioned into a new role as a “Mario Ambassador.”
In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Kevin Afghani, a newer name in voice acting, takes over as Mario and Luigi. Known for his roles in Genshin Impact and Dragon Ball R&D, Afghani’s involvement is just one piece of a larger puzzle that suggests Nintendo is in the process of refreshing its voice cast. This shift, especially with multiple character voices being replaced simultaneously, could be seen as part of a deliberate strategy to ensure the franchise’s longevity. After all, Mario’s world is constantly evolving, and new voices could be key to connecting with both old and new fans alike.
The Impact on Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The Super Mario Bros. Wonder game is where these new voices first make their debut, alongside a host of new gameplay mechanics and vibrant visuals. While the game itself has been lauded for its innovation, the response to the new voices has been mixed. It’s only natural—after all, change of any kind, especially when it involves such beloved characters, can be jarring. Some fans are already warming up to the fresh takes on Peach and Toad, feeling that the new voices suit the direction of the franchise. Others, however, feel a bit nostalgic for the voices they’ve known for years, highlighting how deeply ingrained these characters have become.
The transition itself has been subtle, especially compared to the more publicized change in Mario’s voice. It feels like Nintendo is allowing the shift to happen gradually, so players can ease into the new performances without it overshadowing the experience. This gentle approach might also be an effort to avoid a drastic break with the past, letting long-time fans adjust to the new soundscape as they explore the fresh gameplay world.
Nintendo’s Silence: A Strategic Choice?
It’s worth noting that Nintendo has kept quiet about these voice changes, which is in stark contrast to the extensive behind-the-scenes insights that many games share nowadays. This decision stands out—and it could be for a few reasons. Perhaps Nintendo simply wants the new voices to be discovered naturally by players, allowing them to form their own opinions without the influence of a major announcement. It could also be a strategy to avoid immediate, heavy scrutiny, giving the new actors time to settle into their roles.
By not making a big deal of the transition, Nintendo might be focusing on what really matters—Super Mario Bros. Wonder itself. The game’s new features and gameplay mechanics are front and center, and by not drawing attention to the voice change, Nintendo is likely prioritizing the overall player experience. It’s a “show, don’t tell” approach that’s been a hallmark of the company’s creative philosophy.
Replacing Samantha Kelly as the voice of Peach and Toad—alongside Charles Martinet’s departure—marks the end of an era for the Super Mario franchise’s vocal identity. These changes are big, but they’re also a reminder that even the most cherished elements of a franchise can evolve over time. As Nintendo continues to innovate with new game concepts and experiences, these new voices will undoubtedly become integral to the franchise’s future.
The coming years will reveal how these new voices resonate with fans and whether they’re able to step into the large shoes left by their predecessors. For now, though, the fans of the Mushroom Kingdom are adjusting to these shifts, welcoming (or perhaps reluctantly accepting) new voices in familiar roles. One thing’s for sure: the voices of Peach and Toad will continue, now guided by fresh talent, as they embark on new adventures in the ever-expanding Mario universe.
