Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a nostalgic commercial that lovingly recreates his iconic 90s Super Nintendo ad – complete with all its delightfully cheesy charm.
The original 1991 commercial featured a young Rudd sporting a long black coat, beaded necklace, and an unmistakable retro hairstyle. He famously marches into a drive-in theater with an SNES, hooks it up, and plays classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and F-Zero on the big screen, drawing an awestruck crowd. The ad closed with SNES' legendary tagline: "Now you're playing with power."
In the new Switch 2 spot, Rudd—just as charismatic 34 years later—recreates his iconic look with the same coat, necklace, and hairstyle. This time, he confidently walks into a living room and sets up the Switch 2 alongside comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, plus a kid who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." The group plays Mario Kart World using the console’s new GameChat feature while playfully roasting Rudd about his retro style and 90s-era ad energy—down to the exaggerated fog machine and dramatic wind effects. The commercial ends with Rudd delivering a heartwarming update to the original slogan: "Now we're playing together." It's undeniably corny, but intentionally leaning into the nostalgia makes it irresistibly charming.
IGN recently sat down with Rudd to discuss returning to Nintendo commercials after three decades. He revealed that the beaded necklace from the original ad might have been his own, and that he couldn’t resist playing Mario Kart World between takes. Unfortunately, Nintendo didn’t let him keep a Switch 2—though we can’t blame him for trying! Catch our full interview below:
Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 recently reopened for April 24, still priced at $450—though accessory costs have increased due to U.S. tariffs. For all the details on how and where to secure your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.
