Kicker: Let’s a-go retire

AUDIO: I’m the voice of Mario. Mamma-mia, woo-hoo!

NICK EICHER, HOST: A 32-year run comes to an end!

But I guess Mario just had one too many Goombas to smash or Chain Chomps to dodge.

No doubt by now you know: It’s game over for the voice of Nintendo’s video-game Mario, also known as voice actor Charles Martinet.

MARTINET: Yeah, it was just, you know, I thought, you know, Italian plumber from Brooklyn. Hey, how you doing? You know, I'm under your sink here. Well, that's a little too gruff and I like to really be fun and more playful than that. So, what just popped into my mind was mama-mia! Let's make a game together. Wahoo!

Heard probably too often when my kiddos were kiddos.

Nintendo announced on Monday that Martinet will be leveling up as “Mario Ambassador,” whatever that means. Suffice it to say, I don’t think he’ll need Senate approval for the position.

But he may have to win just one more battle to rescue Peach from the clutches of Bowser!

And then it’s onna to the nexta level.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.