When it comes to iconic video game characters, I think it’s fair to say that they don't get more recognisable than Super Mario, Nintendo’s beloved, stereotypical Italian plumber of the Mushroom Kingdom, or Brooklyn, New York, depending on the source.
There’s a good chance that even if you’re not a gamer, you would have heard his voice say “It’s a-me, Mario”, “Wahoo” or “Let’s-a go!” or, at the very least, recognise his face. I had the chance to speak with the voice of Super Mario, Charles Martinet, about the character that is loved by millions across the world.
It Would Be the Same Without Super Mario
The video game industry could have been very different without the impact of Super Mario. Sure, Nintendo would have still existed and most likely thrived, but would it have thieved as much?
Outside of Nintendo, perhaps the platforming and karting genres may not have evolved as much as they have. Kart racing may not have been as popular without Mario Kart on the SNES. Nintendo still would have had Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong, but without Mario, the world would have been a little less joyful.
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Super Mario Is an Icon of Entertainment
Despite the Super Mario character making his debut in the 1981 arcade game, Donkey Kong, he never starred in his own game until 1983, alongside his brother Luigi in Mario Bros. on arcade machines and the NES.
That being said, it’s widely believed that the character never shot to stardom until Super Mario Bros. in 1985, also on the NES. But Mario wouldn't find his voice until 1996 on the Nintendo 64 with Super Mario 64, and this was the start of an amazing journey for Charles.
“It's been an amazing journey for me. Doing the voice of Mario, I started off crashing an audition where I had never heard of the character or even Nintendo. Yet, I had so much fun at the audition,” Charles recalls.
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“I was simply told to start talking, and when you run out of things to say, that's your audition. I didn't want to do an Italian plumber sounding gruff, mean and nasty or scary to children, like a Mafia member. I didn't know whether the audience would have children in it, but I have a principle of comedy of always being kind.”
“I thought to myself that I'll do something much more silly and fun. I didn't know anything about video games, so I just made things up about food and started talking.
“Once I got the role and started recording his voice, I began to do more things with Mario, and I cemented the idea that he’s going to be optimistic, loving, respectful and comedic. Mario has a positive impact on children, and I think that’s the essence of his character.
“Mario is a hero, but in a way, we’re all heroes. We begin life with such innocence. We have personal battles, difficulties, challenges, and gain new resources as we progress in life. And then you might realise at some point that you’re the hero of your own story. That’s how I’ve always felt about Mario’s character. Being able to bring that joy into children’s and adults' lives has been a tremendous honour.”
Bringing Characters to Life in Video Games and Anime
Charles has not only spent years bringing Mario to life, but he’s also played roles in countless animations. I would assume that the world of TV animation and video games each requires a unique approach.
“All acting is the same. It's all pretending to be something you're not,” says Charles. “It's all suspension of neurone disbelief projecting that piece of yourself, it's only the question of the size and the location. In film, you just have to think or feel something you can never show. Whereas when you're in the studio with a microphone for an animation or a video game, you pull the energy out of the ground and unleash it to the world and the cosmos.”
What Has Given Charles the Most Joy in Life?
“I've travelled a lot and planned a lot of travel. Having time in Paris, London, the Maldives and the Seychelles. Meeting Mario fans at conventions has been a wonderful experience for me,” he rejoices. “When they tell me stories of growing up with Mario, and playing the games with their parents, grandparents and now their children, it gives me such a feeling of joy that cannot be described. I’m just grateful for those moments every day.
“I also like to find all sorts of joy in life. If you put gratitude into the universe, it generates an energy, and the universe will reward you with even more joy. I've recently turned 70, but I feel like I'm 25. I just want to enjoy life, because life can be so brief. Take advantage of every single second of it with joy and love, and try to be happy.”
Topics: Features, Interview, Mario, Super Mario, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Retro Gaming