Culture

VGL: Charles Martinet on Koji Kondo

At the Video Games Live rehearsal, I spied Charles Martinet — the voice of Mario — listening in on the proceedings, and thought I’d get his thoughts on Koji Kondo. Here’s the scoop: He’s an absolute genius. The first time I ever played a Mario game, I started at about four in the evening and […]

CharlesAt the Video Games Live rehearsal, I spied Charles Martinet -- the voice of Mario -- listening in on the proceedings, and thought I'd get his thoughts on Koji Kondo. Here's the scoop:

He's an absolute genius. The first time I ever played a Mario game, I started at about four in the evening and played until daylight came streaming through my windows. My thumbs were numb.

I laid down on the bed, closed my eyes, and I could see Mario and I could hear that music -- ba dum bum ba dum DUM! And I fell in love then and there. Even now, when I'm having a random happy moment, I'll find myself humming on a Kondo tune.

Why are the tunes so hummable?

I don't know! All I can say is that, from a fan's point of view, it touches you. It talks to you right away. And for me, it's a lifelong relationship.