Paul Rudd Nostalgically Promotes Nintendo Switch 2 in 90s SNES Ad Style

Nintendo has enlisted the charismatic actor Paul Rudd to generate excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 with a new commercial that charmingly echoes a memorable 90s advertisement he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial featured a young Rudd sporting a long black jacket, a beaded necklace, and a unique hairstyle as he confidently approached a drive-in movie theater, Super Nintendo in tow. He connected the console and entertained the crowd with classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City, culminating with the iconic SNES slogan, "Now you're playing with power."

Fast forward to the present, and Paul Rudd, remarkably unchanged despite the passage of 34 years, revisits his iconic look in the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial. This time, he enters a living room and sets up the new console to play Mario Kart World with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." The group uses the system's innovative GameChat feature, playfully ribbing Rudd about his nostalgic attire and the over-the-top elements from the original ad, including a fog machine and a fan. The commercial wraps up with Rudd updating the slogan to, "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness and acknowledging the original's charm in a heartwarming way.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about his experience filming this sequel to his Nintendo commercial from over three decades ago. During the conversation, Rudd shared that he believes he wore his own beaded necklace in the original ad 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, Nintendo announced that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 are open again starting April 24, with the console still priced at $450, although accessory prices have increased due to tariffs in the United States. For all the details on securing your pre-order, check out our comprehensive guide.