Game over: voice of Mario retiring after three decades, Nintendo announces

Charles Martinet was the original voice of the Italian plumber, but is now stepping back' from voicing characters for the Japanese game giant

The voice of Mario is stepping back" from the role after 27 years as the Nintendo character, the Japanese game company has announced.

Charles Martinet, 67, was the original voice of the Italian plumber, starting with the 1996 instalment Super Mario 64. He also provided other voices in the game series including Mario's twin brother Luigi and the villainous Wario and Waluigi.