New claims have emerged regarding Charles Martinet’s departure as the voice of Mario, stirring renewed speculation about the circumstances surrounding his transition from the role. Popular internet personality Ricky Berwick shared a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that Martinet is allegedly prohibited from performing any of his familiar Mario character voices at conventions or public appearances.
Berwick claims to have learned this directly from Martinet during a personal encounter at a convention. According to Berwick’s post, despite Martinet now serving as the official “Mario Ambassador” for Nintendo, legal restrictions prevent him from using the voices he made famous for nearly three decades. This unexpected revelation has fueled ongoing discussions among fans, many of whom have suspected that Martinet’s retirement from voicing Mario may not have been entirely voluntary.
The issue traces back to August 2023, when Nintendo formally announced that Martinet would step down from voicing Mario and transition into the newly created ambassadorial position. At the time, Nintendo issued a statement explaining that while Martinet would no longer provide voice work for upcoming games, he would remain involved with the brand by appearing at public events and engaging with fans worldwide.
Nintendo’s announcement also revealed that Kevin Afghani had been cast as the new voice actor for Super Mario Bros. Wonder—marking the first mainline Mario title in decades without Martinet’s iconic performance.
Martinet’s legacy with the franchise spans over 30 years, beginning in 1991 with interactive trade show demos. His exuberant portrayal in classics like Super Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 became synonymous with the character, making the transition particularly poignant for long-time fans.
Berwick’s allegation has fueled theories that Martinet’s retirement may not have been entirely voluntary. Critics question why an “ambassador” role—ostensibly created to preserve his bond with fans—would include restrictions on public voice performances. The absence of official clarification from Nintendo or Martinet has only amplified speculation about the circumstances behind this era-ending change.
