The new voice actors forMario Kart World’s Peach and Toad have been revealed—with actors Paul Castro Jr. (Toad) and Courtney Lin (Peach) taking to social media to confirm their new roles and thank Nintendo. This revelation follows June 2025 news that the former Peach and Toad voice actor Samantha Kelly would no longer voice the popular characters inMario Kart World.
Mario Kart Worldis the flagship launch title of the brand-new Switch 2, with Nintendo innovating and transforming the smash-hit racing series into an open‑world adventure. The game brings modes like Knockout Tour mode, which is a battle‑royale‑style race with checkpoints and eliminations, and a Free Roam mode where players explore the map to complete missions and more. Players can also take on classic modes like Grand Prix and Time Trial, though these have been enhanced by some new mechanics. Although the game was one of the most anticipated titles on Nintendo’s new console and has received positive reviews,Mario Kart World’s fans have criticized some aspects of its gameplay and have also felt disappointed to learn that one cast member was no longer part of the series.
The 18-year-old veteranSamantha Kelly was told she would be replaced inMario Kart Worldand would no longer voice Peach and Toad. Nintendo hadn’t yet revealed who the new actors voicing the popular characters were until now, when Paul Castro Jr. and Courtney Lin both posted to their Twitter accounts to tell fans about their new roles. Castro—who has also voiced Vegeta (mini) inDragon Ball DAIMA—thanked Nintendo for trusting him with Toad’s role and “letting me live out this childhood dream.”
On the other hand, Lin did the same, revealing she’s thenew voice ofMario Kart World’s Princess Peachand Baby Peach, and expressed gratitude to Nintendo for “trusting me to help carry the legacy of this icon.” She continued saying she “can still hardly believe it” and went on to show her respect for “all of the Peaches that came before me,” promising fans she would do her best with any future opportunity.
Before Castro and Lin, Samantha Kelly had voiced these two iconic characters in more than 70 games across Nintendo’s various consoles, until she surprisingly learned that she would be replaced on the veryrelease day ofMario Kart World. The actress took to social media shortly after to communicate that she had been replaced in a somewhat bittersweet message to fans, though also showing gratitude for having had the chance to voice the characters for 18 years.
