Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario for nearly 30 years, has announced his retirement
Martinet, 66, made the announcement on Twitter, saying that it was time for him to "pass the torch" to a new voice actor.
"It's been an incredible honor and privilege to be the voice of Mario for over 30 years," Martinet said in a statement.
"I've had so much fun bringing this character to life and I'm so grateful to the fans for their support over the years.
But it's time for me to pass the torch to a new voice actor. I'm confident that they will do an amazing job.
Martinet's first role as Mario was in the 1990 game "Super Mario Bros.
He has since gone on to voice the character in over 200 games, as well as in television shows, movies, and commercials.
He is also known for his energetic and enthusiastic performances, which have helped to make Mario one of the most popular video game characters of all time.
The search for a new voice actor for Mario is already underway .
Nintendo has said that it is looking for someone who can "capture the same energy and enthusiasm" that Martinet brought to the role.
Martinet's retirement is a significant loss for the Mario franchise. However, he leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match.
He will be remembered as one of the most iconic voice actors in video game history.