I’ll admit, news of Nintendo switching out longtime voice actors always makes me uneasy. This week, it’s Samantha Kelly-the voice behind Princess Peach and Toad since the Wii era-who’s packing up her virtual crown and mushroom cap. It’s big, weirdly emotional news for anyone who’s spent years jumping through the Mushroom Kingdom. But what’s actually happening here, and why does it seem like Nintendo is making a habit out of these reshuffles?
Let’s cut through the nostalgia and get to what matters for the gaming community: Samantha Kelly, who’s been the voice of Peach and Toad since Mario Strikers Charged (2007) all the way to Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024), is now officially out. She announced it on Instagram, sounding genuinely thankful but clearly saddened: “I’m grateful to have voiced them for so many years. Peach and Toad are such strong, beautiful characters—I hope they live forever, no matter who voices them. Much love.”
Publisher|Nintendo
Release Date|TBA (Succession begins after June 2024 announcement)
Genres|Platformer, Party, Racing, Action-Adventure
Platforms|Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Future Nintendo platforms
This isn’t just about swapping out a voice actor. When Charles Martinet, the original “It’s-a me, Mario!” departed in 2023, it felt like the end of an era—now with Kelly’s exit, it’s impossible to ignore the generational hand-off happening at Nintendo. Why now? Hard not to see the timing with the Switch 2 launch and Mario Kart World as more than coincidence. Nintendo’s big new hardware moment is also an inflection point for its most iconic voices.
But let’s put aside the company line. For most of us, these voices are pop culture touchstones, subtly shaping our entire experience of Mario’s universe. Kelly’s Peach—playful, assertive, and more characterful than ever in recent games—helped modernize the Princess beyond her old “damsel” origins. Toad’s energetic squeals (yes, sometimes annoying, but always distinct) have become part of the Mario DNA. It’s not just about new hires: it’s about tearing out and replanting some of the emotional roots of the Mushroom Kingdom for a whole generation of players.
As with Martinet, Nintendo’s process here has an oddly clinical feel. Telling Kelly on the day of major product launches feels like a calculated move—it buries the news beneath the Switch 2 hype cycle, but also signals ruthless brand management. The message to fans? The show goes on, with or without the people behind the scenes. It’s a tough pill, especially for those of us who appreciate the artistry and continuity behind Nintendo’s magic.
Why the shift? Both Martinet’s and Kelly’s departures suggest Nintendo wants a refresh—new voices likely mean slightly new interpretations, potentially aligning with broader content plans (think more cinematic games, animated series, global marketing pushes). But there’s also apprehension: Nintendo’s track record with change is hit-or-miss (anyone remember Fox McCloud’s new voice in Star Fox: Assault? Mixed, to say the least). With flagship characters, even subtle differences become impossible to ignore.
If you’re a lifelong Mario player or just someone who likes their Mario Kart races with a side of nostalgia, this is a big deal. The new Peach and Toad voices will debut on the Switch 2 era—whether in Mario Kart World or a fresh platformer. That means, once again, we’ll all be holding our collective breath: do the new performances capture the same spirit, or will this be another case of fans endlessly dissecting every “Here we go!” on forums?
For Nintendo, this is a calculated risk. There’s a chance to attract younger audiences and reenergize the brand—but there’s also the potential for backlash if the transition feels off. Gamers remember when Sonic’s voice actors changed or when beloved JRPGs swapped out casts; sometimes it works, sometimes it’s the worst kind of distraction. At the very least, expect some wild internet discourse when the replacement is finally revealed.
Samantha Kelly’s exit as Princess Peach and Toad is more than corporate HR news—it’s a signal Nintendo’s gearing up for a brand reset as the Switch 2 era begins. Whether this fresh start brings new energy or lost magic comes down to that next “Hi, I’m Peach!” For fans, it’s worth paying attention: the voices behind the Mushroom Kingdom are changing, and the way we experience Nintendo’s world might never sound the same.