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

Nintendo has enlisted the charm of actor Paul Rudd to promote the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that playfully nods to a quirky 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial featured Rudd, sporting a distinctive black jacket, beaded necklace, and a unique hairstyle, arriving at a drive-in movie theater with his SNES. He connects the console to the big screen, drawing a crowd as he plays classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City, culminating with the iconic slogan, "Now you're playing with power."

In the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, Rudd, despite the passage of 34 years, retains his youthful appearance, complete with the same jacket, necklace, and hairstyle. This time, he enters a living room and sets up the Nintendo Switch 2 to play Mario Kart World with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child who refers to him as "Uncle Paul." They utilize the system's innovative GameChat feature, and Rudd's companions humorously rib him about his attire and the exaggerated 90s commercial vibe, complete with a fog machine and a fan to mimic the original's intensity. The ad wraps up with Rudd delivering a new slogan, "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness and nostalgia in a delightful tribute to the original.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about his experience filming this sequel to his Nintendo commercial from over three decades ago. Rudd shared that he believes he wore his personal beaded necklace in the original ad and enjoyed playing Mario Kart World on set during breaks. Regrettably, he was not allowed to keep a Nintendo Switch 2 after filming. You can view our complete interview with him right here:

This week, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have reopened and will be available starting April 24, maintaining a price tag of $450. However, due to tariffs in the United States, the prices of accessories have increased. For detailed information on securing your pre-order, check out our comprehensive guide.