As of now, there is no official confirmation that Princess Peach's voice actor has been replaced on the Switch 2 (or any upcoming Nintendo console) launch, nor that she has been excluded from Mario Kart World. Such a claim would be highly significant and widely reported if true, especially given Princess Peach's iconic status in the Mario franchise. Nintendo has not released any statement regarding a change in voice actors for Princess Peach, and the original voice actress, Sandy Fox, who voiced her in many early games and animated media, has not been officially replaced in any major new releases. More recently, Catherine Cavadini and Kathleen M. Hart have also provided her voice in various games and media, but these roles are typically part of long-standing casting decisions rather than abrupt changes. If a major voice actor change were to occur, it would likely be announced through official Nintendo channels, media interviews, or confirmed by voice actor sources. As of now, all available information suggests that Princess Peach remains a central character in upcoming Mario games, including Mario Kart World, which is expected to feature her in her traditional role. Therefore, the claim you mentioned appears to be unverified or potentially false—possibly stemming from rumors, misinformation, or satire. For accurate updates, always refer to official sources like: Nintendo’s official website Nintendo Direct presentations Verified interviews with developers or cast members Stay tuned for official announcements, but for now, Princess Peach is very much still in the Mario universe—on the Switch 2 and in Mario Kart. 🍄👑

This story highlights a poignant moment in video game history — the quiet, emotional end of an era for one of Nintendo’s most beloved and enduring voice actors, Samantha Kelly, who has voiced Princess Peach and Toad in over 70 games since 2007.

Her departure from the role, confirmed not through a public announcement or farewell message from Nintendo, but via fan discovery in the credits of Mario Kart World — the launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 — underscores a growing pattern of lack of transparency in Nintendo’s credit practices. The absence of her name, coupled with her own heartfelt Instagram post, has sparked deep emotional reactions from fans and industry observers alike.

Key Points from the Story:

• Longevity & Legacy:
  Kelly has been the voice of Peach and Toad across multiple consoles — DS, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, and Switch — and in a vast array of franchises:

  • Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Odyssey, Super Smash Bros., Luigi’s Mansion, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, Princess Peach: Showtime!
  • Mario + Rabbids series (Ubisoft)
  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Sega)
  • LEGO Super Mario toys
  • Super Nintendo World theme parks
  • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) — where she voiced Toad and other Toad variants

• Emotional Farewell:
  Her Instagram message was brief but powerful:

  "Thank you for so many years of friendship and joy... 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."
  This suggests she was not informed in advance — a shocking and jarring way to end a 18-year tenure.

• Industry Context:
  This isn’t isolated. Charles Martinet, who voiced Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi for nearly 30 years, stepped down in 2022 — also with little fanfare or clear explanation. Nintendo said he’d remain as “Mario Ambassador,” but he later expressed confusion about the role, fueling speculation about how the company handles legacy talent.

• Another Veteran Missing:
  Fans have also noticed that Takashi Nagasako, who voiced Donkey Kong since 2004, is absent from Mario Kart World’s credits. In contrast, Koji Takeda, the Japanese voice actor for DK in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is credited — suggesting Nintendo may have synced voice lines to the film's Japanese version, while dropping long-time English voice actors without replacement.

• Nintendo’s Credit Policy:
  The company has long been criticized for withholding developer and voice actor credits until launch (e.g., Donkey Kong Bananza trailers show no credit list). This opacity makes it difficult for fans to track contributions — and for performers to know their roles have been replaced until it’s too late.

What’s Next?

• Who will voice Peach and Toad in Mario Kart World?
  Unknown. No official casting announcement has been made.

• Will Kelly return?
  Unlikely, given her emotional farewell and no indication of future involvement.

• Industry Reaction:
  Many fans and media outlets have expressed sadness and concern over the lack of respect for veteran performers. The silence from Nintendo — especially after Martinet’s ambiguous exit — raises questions about how much value the company places on long-term contributors.

A Bittersweet End to an Era

Samantha Kelly didn’t just perform for these characters — she defined them for a generation. Her warm, playful, and expressive tones shaped the emotional core of the Mushroom Kingdom for millions.

The fact that her exit was revealed not in a tribute, but through a simple absence from the credits, feels like a failure of storytelling — not just for the game, but for the people who made it possible.

As fans mourn the end of her tenure, they’re also asking:

"How long before we see another beloved voice actor quietly replaced — without a word, without a goodbye?"

Nintendo has built a global empire on nostalgia, charm, and character — but if it continues to treat its creators like invisible hands behind the curtain, it risks losing not just talent, but trust.

In short:
Samantha Kelly’s departure marks more than the end of a voice role — it’s a cultural moment.
A reminder that behind every smile, every "Mamma mia!" and "Toad! It's me!" — there was a real person who made magic for years, only to be erased from the story at the very moment it was meant to celebrate her.

And now, as Mario Kart World races forward, one question lingers:

“Who’s gonna say ‘It’s-a me, Mario’ now?”
— And more importantly, “Who’s gonna say it with soul?”

Note: As of now, Nintendo has not responded to inquiries from IGN or other media outlets regarding Kelly’s departure, casting changes, or future credit practices.