Mario Kart World replaces Donkey Kong’s voice actor – Peach, Toad, and Toadette voice actor also apparently recast

Following the launch of Mario Kart World, fans have immediately noticed that Nintendo has replaced the voice actor for Donkey Kong.

Previously, Takashi Nagasako was attributed to the role. However, Koji Takeda is now listed in the credits for Mario Kart World. Takeda previously voiced Donkey Kong in the Japanese version of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Nagasako has been voicing Donkey Kong since the GameCube era. Some of his earliest roles included Mario Power Tennis and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. Nagasako was also the voice of Donkey Kong in Mario Kart 8.

This isn’t the only big change for Donkey Kong. The character itself has seen a huge overhaul, which ties in with the upcoming launch of Donkey Kong Bananza.

The news about Donkey Kong may not be the only major development. Samantha Kelly, who has voiced Princess Peach, Toad, and Toadette since 2007, isn’t in the credits for Mario Kart World either. We don’t have confirmation currently, but fans are speculating that Laila Bezins has taken over the role.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has been making other moves in regarding to changing voice actors. The biggest development was in 2023 – Charles Martinet, the beloved voice of Mario, retired from the role, though he’s still working with Nintendo as Mario Ambassador. Kevin Afghani is now voicing Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.