Princess Peach's Voice Actor Confirms She's Been Replaced
Jun 06, 2025 7:48 PMNintendo continues its recasting trend as Samantha Kelly, the long-time voice actress for Princess Peach and Toad, announces her replacement after an impressive 18-year tenure. Her departure comes just as Mario Kart World launches on the Switch 2, with Kelly claiming she was only informed of the change shortly before the game's release. Having voiced iconic characters since 2007, Kelly expressed her sadness at no longer portraying these beloved roles, which have appeared in over 50 titles. This follows Nintendo's earlier decision to replace Charles Martinet, the original voice of Mario, showcasing a shift in their voice acting strategy.
What led to the decision to recast these iconic Nintendo characters?Nintendo has cited various factors for their recasting decisions, though specific details regarding the selection process or criteria have not been publicly disclosed. The company aims to refresh the brand's voice acting as they continue to evolve their gaming franchises.
Mario Kart World, featuring a new game engine and fresh gameplay mechanics, aims to attract both returning players and newcomers alike. With an open-world design and diverse racing environments, this latest entry showcases Nintendo's commitment to enhancing iconic titles while integrating new technology with the Switch 2 release. As fans adapt to these changes, the gaming community anticipates how these voice changes will impact the characters' portrayal and the overall experience of the game.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Mr. Bison commented on: 2025-06-06 20:28:10
Nintendo’s really going all-in on the new era vibe, huh Between fresh voices and Mario Kart World’s open-world twist, it’s like they’re soft-rebooting nostalgia itself. Gotta respect Samantha Kelly’s 18-year run—recasting Peach and Toad right before a major launch feels like a bold (or risky) power move. Switch 2’s got *a lot* to prove now.
Miss Peachy commented on: 2025-06-06 20:22:08
Big shoes to fill for the new voice actors—hope they bring fresh energy while keeping that nostalgic charm we love. Kinda wild how Nintendo’s shaking things up right as Mario Kart World drops, though Change is inevitable, but it’s bittersweet hearing someone new after 18 years of iconic performances. Here’s hoping the Switch 2 era does these characters justice
