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

Nintendo has enlisted the charming actor Paul Rudd to boost excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that affectionately revisits a classic 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial features Rudd, sporting a long black jacket, a beaded necklace, and a rather distinctive hairdo, confidently approaching a drive-in movie theater with his SNES. He connects it to a large screen and entertains a gathering crowd with games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City. The ad memorably ends with the iconic Super Nintendo slogan: "Now you're playing with power."

Fast forward to the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, where Rudd, looking remarkably unchanged despite the passage of 34 years, steps into a living room still donning the same iconic coat, necklace, and hairstyle. This time, he sets up the Nintendo Switch 2 and joins comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a young child who affectionately refers to him as "Uncle Paul." They dive into a game of Mario Kart World, utilizing the system's innovative GameChat feature. The others playfully tease Rudd about his nostalgic attire and the theatrical elements of the original ad, such as the fog machine and fan, which are humorously acknowledged in the new commercial. It wraps up with Rudd rephrasing the classic slogan to "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness and nostalgia in a delightful way.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about his experience filming this nostalgic sequel to his first Nintendo commercial over three decades later. During the conversation, Rudd shared that he might have worn his own beaded necklace in the original commercial and enjoyed playing Mario Kart World on set during breaks. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can watch the full interview here:

Just this week, preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened again, set for April 24, maintaining the price at $450. However, due to tariffs in the United States, accessory prices have increased. For all the details on securing your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.