Mario’s big brown boots have been filled following the departure of longtime Nintendo voice actor Charles Martinet.
The gaming company announced Friday that voice actor Kevin Afghani is the voice of Mario and Luigi in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a new Mario platforming game available on Nintendo Switch on Oct. 20.
Afghani’s credits, as listed on IMDb, include playing Raditz in “Dragon Ball R&R” and Arnold in “Genshin Impact.” According to his website, Afghani is based in Los Angeles and pursued a career in voice acting due to his “absolute love for animation and video games.”
Nintendo declined to comment on whether Afghani would be voicing Mario and Luigi in future titles beyond Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Martinet, who started at Nintendo in 1991, announced last month that he will retire from voicing the red-capped plumber and will transition into the role of Mario Ambassador.
Afghani announced the news on Twitter, writing, “Incredibly proud to have voiced Mario and Luigi in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Thanks to Nintendo for inviting me into the Flower Kingdom!”
Super Mario Bros. Wonder follows Mario and Co. as they leave the Mushroom Kingdom and set out to save another domain in psychedelic twist on the classic Super Mario sidescroller. As Bowser threatens the Floral Kingdom and its inhabitants, Mario runs through a variety of levels, collecting Wonder Seeds and stomping on new enemies along the way. Joining him are Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Toadette, Nabbit, Yoshi and Princess Daisy, who joins the franchise as a playable character for the first time ever.
Nintendo also has an array of Mario titles coming to the Switch in 2023 and 2024, including new games like Princess Peach Showtime! and refurbished classics like Super Mario RPG.
