As of now, there is no official confirmation that Princess Peach’s voice actor has been replaced on the Switch 2 (also known as the Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Pro), nor that she has been excluded from Mario Kart World. In fact, such a claim would be highly unusual and unlikely given Nintendo's strong commitment to maintaining continuity in its flagship franchises. Here’s what we know based on current information: Princess Peach is still voiced by Tress MacNeille in most recent Mario games, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario Odyssey. She has been the primary voice of Peach since 2013. Nintendo has not announced any changes to the voice cast for the upcoming Switch 2 or any new Mario Kart titles. The idea of a "Mario Kart World" — a full-scale, global multiplayer online game — has not been officially announced by Nintendo. The franchise continues to release localized versions of Mario Kart on existing platforms. Conclusion: The statement you mentioned appears to be a rumor, satire, or misinformation. As of now, there is no credible evidence supporting that Princess Peach’s voice actor has been replaced or that she’s been excluded from new Mario games. Always check trusted sources like Nintendo’s official website, IGN, GameSpot, or Nintendo Direct presentations for accurate updates. Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of who voices Peach over the years or rumors about the Switch 2!

This is a deeply emotional and significant moment for fans of the Mario franchise — not just because of the departure of a beloved voice actor, but because it reflects a broader, quietly unsettling trend in how Nintendo handles its long-standing creative talent.

Samantha Kelly’s 17-year (and now 18-year) tenure voicing Princess Peach and Toad across over 70 games — from Super Mario Bros. to Mario Kart World, Super Smash Bros., Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, and even The Super Mario Bros. Movie — was foundational to the emotional and tonal identity of the Mushroom Kingdom. Her voice gave Peach her signature blend of elegance, warmth, and quiet strength, and Toad his endlessly cheerful, slightly nervous charm. In games like Princess Peach: Showtime! — where Peach takes center stage as a full-fledged protagonist — Kelly’s performance was a key reason fans connected with the character on a personal level.

And yet, her name was not in the credits of Mario Kart World — the very game that officially marks the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. That omission, confirmed by fans and then by Kelly herself on Instagram, felt like a silent, painful farewell.

“I’m heartbroken it’s over — I truly thought I’d voice Peach and Toad forever. Nintendo told me yesterday they’ve recast these roles.”

That line cuts deep. Not a farewell call, not a personal message, not even a proper send-off. Just silence — until the game launched. Then, the absence.

This mirrors Charles Martinet’s departure in 2022, which was similarly abrupt and shrouded in mystery. Martinet had voiced Mario for nearly 30 years, and his energetic, iconic performance shaped the face of the franchise for generations. His exit was announced with a brief statement, and he was quietly replaced — despite earlier assurances that he’d remain a “Mario Ambassador.”

Now, Takashi Nagasako, who voiced Donkey Kong since 2004, is also missing from the credits of Mario Kart World. Koji Takeda is credited instead — the Japanese voice actor from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This suggests Nintendo may have synced the in-game DK grunts to the film’s version, but not officially retained Nagasako.

This pattern raises serious questions:

• Why keep veteran performers in the dark?
  Kelly and Nagasako were likely still in active service until just before launch. To keep them uninformed until the game dropped — even if it’s standard practice — feels disrespectful. These aren’t faceless freelancers; they’re artists who poured years into bringing joy to millions.

• Where is the gratitude?
  The absence of names in the credits isn’t just a technical oversight — it’s a statement. It says, “We don’t need to acknowledge you anymore.” In an era where fan appreciation is more visible than ever, this silence feels jarring — especially for creators whose voices shaped childhoods.

• Is Nintendo prioritizing secrecy over respect?
  The company’s long-standing policy of withholding developer credits until launch is understandable — it prevents leaks. But now, that policy is being weaponized to obscure personal endings for artists. It’s not just about protecting a game’s reveal; it’s about protecting Nintendo’s image, not the people who made it.

• Who replaces them?
  Unknown. No announcements. No casting call. No public statement. Fans are left to speculate. Is it a new voice actor? A return of Martinet (unlikely)? Or are we seeing a shift toward AI voice generation or centralized voice libraries?

What Fans Are Saying

Social media has erupted in mourning. Fans are sharing clips of Kelly’s performances, thanking her for her work, and demanding transparency. Hashtags like #ThankYouSamantha and #BringBackTheVoice are trending. Many note how different the new Mario Kart trailers sound — a little flatter, less expressive.

One fan wrote:

“I cried when Peach said, ‘Let’s go!’ in the new trailer. It wasn’t her. I knew it was wrong before I even saw the credits.”

A Legacy, Not Just a Job

Samantha Kelly didn’t just “voice” Peach and Toad — she defined them for a generation. Her work helped humanize Mario’s world, giving it heart, humor, and emotional depth. Her absence isn’t just a casting change. It’s a cultural shift.

Nintendo has built a global empire on charm, nostalgia, and warmth. But now, as it moves into a new console era, it risks losing something far more valuable than marketing: trust.

The Way Forward

Nintendo must do better — not just for Kelly, Nagasako, and Martinet, but for all artists who’ve given their voices to its world.

What should happen now?

• Official acknowledgment of Kelly’s and Nagasako’s contributions — even if they’re no longer in the game.
• A public statement from Nintendo: not a PR blur, but a heartfelt thank-you.
• Transparency about future casting — not just for new roles, but for legacy ones.
• Consider honoring legacy voices in future games — perhaps through archival clips, a “Legacy Mode,” or even a digital tribute.

Final Thought

Samantha Kelly once said she thought she’d voice Peach and Toad forever.
She was wrong — not because she wasn’t good enough, but because Nintendo chose not to say goodbye.

And that silence?
That’s the real villain.

But her voice — in every game, every park, every toy, every movie — is still out there.
And as long as fans remember, Peach and Toad aren’t gone.

They’re just waiting to be heard again.

🫂 #ThankYouSamantha
🎮 #VoiceOfTheMushroomKingdom
💔 #MarioKartWorldIsDifferentNow