Hey there, fellow Hylian! So, you know how sometimes you just want to hear Zelda whisper some sweet nothings or have Revali roast you in that gloriously arrogant tone? Well, I was at MCM Comic Con in London this past weekend, and let me tell you—it’s not happening anytime soon. And I mean, not in any official, recordable way. The cast from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom laid it all out on the table, and the story is equal parts fascinating and, well, a bit of a bummer for fans hoping for personalized voice lines.

It all started when the panel host mentioned chatting with Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario. Turns out, he’s got some pretty tight restrictions on how he can talk about his work. And guess what? That same energy extends to the Zelda crew. Patricia Summersett, who brings our beloved Princess Zelda to life, put it bluntly: "You sign these very strict NDAs, [but] you know what you're signing into." She emphasized that it’s all about respecting Nintendo’s intellectual property and sticking to their way of doing things—which, let’s be real, has worked out pretty darn well for them over the years.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Summersett acknowledged the disappointment fans might feel. I mean, who wouldn’t want a custom voicemail from Zelda? But she pointed out the elephant in the room: technology. "When we're recording and we're doing lines, you can extract that, you now have AI and all these things. That's not for us to do." It’s a valid point—once those voice samples are out there, who knows what could happen with AI voice cloning? Nintendo’s being proactive, and honestly, you can’t blame them for protecting their creations.

why-your-favorite-zelda-voice-actors-can-t-record-cameos-for-you-image-0

But don’t lose hope just yet! Summersett did offer a cheeky workaround. She said, "Come up to the table, we'll give you a little sample. I do whisper in people's ears, that sort of thing." So, if you ever bump into her at a con, maybe you’ll get a secret, off-the-record moment—just keep your phone tucked away! It’s like a little treasure hunt for your ears.

Sean Chiplock, the voice behind Revali, Teba, and The Great Deku Tree, chimed in with more details. And here’s the kicker: it’s not about legal threats. He explained, "I don't think Nintendo would ever actually sue or take us to court if we were doing unofficial performances as the characters." Phew, right? No courtroom dramas here. Instead, it’s about something deeper: teamwork and trust.

Chiplock dove into Nintendo’s mindset, describing them as "very much a collaborative team player thing." He painted a picture of a company where everyone—from creatives and directors to art designers and musicians—works together to create magic. So, if an actor decides to go rogue and record unofficial lines, the message they’re sending isn’t "I’m a rebel"; it’s "I’m not a team player." And in Nintendo’s world, that’s a big no-no.

The consequence? "The easiest solution to that is they just won't work with you anymore," Chiplock said. And let’s be honest—working with Nintendo is a dream gig. Who would want to risk that? He added, "Nintendo's pretty cool to work with, and we'd like to continue doing it." Can’t argue with that logic!

Now, you might be wondering how this compares to other gaming voice actors. Here’s the scoop:

  • Most Other Gaming Actors: Often free to do Cameos, fan recordings, and conventions without strict limits.

  • Nintendo’s Cast: Bound by NDAs that prevent impersonating characters outside official projects.

  • Why the Difference?: Nintendo’s ultra-protective of its IPs, prioritizing brand consistency and team cohesion.

It’s a unique approach, and as of 2026, there’s no sign of it softening. Chiplock even notes on his Cameo page that he can’t impersonate his Nintendo roles—proof that this policy is enforced across the board. So, while you won’t get a custom Revali rant for your birthday, you can still appreciate the behind-the-scenes reasoning.

At the end of the day, it’s a balancing act. Nintendo wants to keep its worlds intact and its collaborations smooth. For us fans, it means our interactions with the cast are more personal and fleeting—like those whispered secrets at a con table. And maybe that’s not so bad. It adds a layer of magic to those moments, making them feel special and exclusive.

So, next time you’re at an event and spot a Zelda voice actor, remember: they’re as passionate about the series as we are. They just have to play by Nintendo’s rules to keep the adventure alive. And hey, who knows? Maybe one day, policies will evolve. But for now, let’s enjoy the games and the occasional in-person whisper—it’s all part of the legend.