Kevin Afghani, the voice of Mario, shares his emotional reaction to hearing himself in Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2. A heartfelt tribute to the game that shaped his childhood. After nearly two years of voicing Mario, Kevin Afghani continues to share his excitement about taking on one of the most iconic roles in gaming. In a new post, Afghani reflected on his work in Mario Kart World, calling the experience “incredible” and deeply personal—especially considering how much the franchise meant to him growing up.
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Hearing myself in Mario Kart is truly an unbelievable experience. Mario Kart was an absolute pillar of my childhood. I cannot believe how lucky of a person I am to be able to be a part of games that mean so much to me.
I hope you all are having an incredible time with the game.
— Kevin Afghani (@KevinAfghani) June 16, 2025
“Hearing myself in Mario Kart is an incredible experience,” Afghani wrote. “Mario Kart was a foundational part of my childhood. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be in games that meant so much to me. I hope everyone’s having a blast with it.”
A Voice That Carries Joy
Afghani took over the role of Mario after Charles Martinet stepped down following Super Mario Bros: Wonder. While his voice lines in Mario Kart World might seem simple—classic shouts like “Yippee!” and “Let’s go!”—they carry an emotional weight that’s easy to underestimate. For Afghani, it’s about more than pitch-perfect delivery. It’s about capturing the spirit of Mario’s joy and the shared nostalgia that connects players across generations.
With Mario Kart World now available on Nintendo Switch 2, fans are hearing Afghani’s take on Mario in a high-speed setting full of new tracks, massive vehicles, and returning characters. And while the action on-screen is fast and chaotic, it’s the iconic voice shouting encouragement behind the wheel that helps make it feel like Mario Kart.
Part of a New Era
Afghani’s heartfelt message comes as part of a wave of new updates around the game. From sticker customization to expanded multiplayer modes, Mario Kart World is already proving itself as a bold new entry for the franchise on Switch 2. His role may be a single voice in a crowded kart, but it’s one that fans will hear at the start of every race, and it’s clear that he doesn’t take that for granted.
🎤 Kevin Afghani on Mario Kart World
“Hearing myself in Mario Kart is an incredible experience… I can’t believe how lucky I am to be in games that meant so much to me.”
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