Nintendo has enlisted the charming Paul Rudd to boost excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that humorously nods to a beloved 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial features Rudd sporting a long black jacket, beaded necklace, and an unforgettable hairstyle as he strides into a drive-in movie theater, SNES in tow. He connects the console to the big screen and plays classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City, drawing a crowd of intrigued onlookers. The iconic ad wraps up with the memorable SNES catchphrase: "Now you're playing with power."
Fast forward to today, and Rudd, remarkably unchanged despite the passage of 34 years, returns in the same iconic outfit for the Nintendo Switch 2 commercial. This time, he bursts into a living room to set up the new console with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, plus a young fan who addresses him as "Uncle Paul." Together, they dive into Mario Kart World, utilizing the system's innovative GameChat feature. Rudd's companions playfully rib him about his 90s-style attire and the theatrics of the original ad, complete with a fog machine and fan to recreate the dramatic flair. The commercial cleverly concludes with Rudd updating the classic slogan to, "Now we're playing together," embracing the nostalgia and humor in a way that's endearingly cheesy.
IGN had the privilege of interviewing Rudd about his experience revisiting a Nintendo commercial more than three decades later. He shared that he believes the beaded necklace from the original ad was his own and mentioned playing Mario Kart World during breaks on set. However, he humorously noted that he wasn't allowed to keep a Nintendo Switch 2 as a souvenir. You can view our complete interview with Paul Rudd right here:
Just this week, preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 resumed, opening on April 24 with the console still priced at $450. However, due to recent tariffs in the United States, accessory prices have increased. For all the details on securing your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.
