Paul Rudd Nostalgically Promotes Nintendo Switch 2, Echoing 90s SNES Ad

Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to generate excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 through a new commercial that charmingly echoes a memorable 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial features Rudd, donning a long black jacket, a beaded necklace, and a distinctive hairstyle, confidently approaching a drive-in movie theater with his SNES. He connects the console and captivates a growing crowd by playing iconic games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City on the big screen. The ad famously ends with the Super Nintendo slogan: "Now you're playing with power."

Paul Rudd, from the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial

In the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, Rudd, despite being 34 years older, looks remarkably similar. He sports the same jacket, necklace, and hairstyle as he enters a living room to set up the Nintendo Switch 2. Joined by comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, and a child who refers to him as "Uncle Paul," they dive into a game of Mario Kart World, showcasing the system's new GameChat feature. The group playfully ribs Rudd about his attire and his exaggerated 90s commercial persona, complete with a fog machine and a fan to replicate the dramatic atmosphere of the original. The ad concludes with Rudd humorously updating the slogan to "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness and nostalgia of the original in a delightfully self-aware manner.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about his experience filming this sequel to his Nintendo commercial more than three decades later. During the conversation, Rudd revealed he likely wore his personal beaded necklace in the original ad and continued playing Mario Kart World between takes on set. However, he jokingly mentioned that he wasn't allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can view the full interview here:

Just this week, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 resumed, set to open again on April 24 with the console priced at $450. Note that accessory prices have increased due to tariffs in the United States. For detailed information on securing your pre-order, check out our comprehensive guide.