In the special video message issued today, September 7, Miyamoto recalled when Martinet made his debut as the voice of Mario in 1996’s seminal 3D platformer, Super Mario 64, his penchant for calling the Nintendo legend “papa!”, as well as the many trips the pair had taken together promoting Mario and Nintendo across the globe.

Miyamoto said he was “deeply grateful” for Martinet’s work bringing Nintendo characters to life for nearly 30 years. “Charles-san, thank you very much,” Miyamoto said.

  • @pimento64@sopuli.xyz
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    272 years ago

    “Thanks for recording all the data for our Mario Voice language model. Now, in the grand tradition of Nintendo, cease and desist”.

    • Endorkend
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      -52 years ago

      They don’t need him anymore, so they retired him.

      He’s one of the first victims of AI and automation.

      • ExploratrixLunae
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        192 years ago

        If you have a source on this, please share it - I have not found anything to corroborate that he is being replaced by AI, although the idea that this is happening is plausible and believable.

        • nantsuu
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          12 years ago

          Super Mario Wonder and the new WarioWare already seem to have a different (probably human) voice actor, you can hear it in clips.

        • geosocoOP
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          12 years ago

          I think this was intended as a joke about the current state of things.

      • Bri Guy
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        02 years ago

        Wait, Nintendo is going full AI for the Mario voice now?? Wild

  • downpunxx
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    -62 years ago

    They did the man dirty, he still wanted to do his thing, his literal life’s work, but they retired him anyway. Bastards.