Nintendo has enlisted the charismatic actor Paul Rudd to generate excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that charmingly revisits a classic 90s advertisement he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial featured a youthful Rudd, sporting a distinctive long black jacket, beaded necklace, and a memorable hairstyle, as he dramatically entered a drive-in movie theater with his SNES. Hooking it up to the big screen, he captivated an audience with games 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."
Paul Rudd, from the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial
Fast forward to the present, and Rudd, remarkably unchanged in appearance, returns in the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial. This time, he strides into a living room, still donning the iconic coat, necklace, and hairstyle. Joined by comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child affectionately calling him "Uncle Paul," they dive into a game of Mario Kart World, utilizing the system's new GameChat feature. The ad playfully nods to the original with a fog machine and fan, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere. Rudd's companions tease him about his 90s persona, and the commercial wraps up with a new slogan, "Now we're playing together," embracing the communal aspect of gaming in a delightfully cheesy yet endearing way.
IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about his experience filming this sequel to his 90s Nintendo commercial. Rudd shared that he might have worn his own beaded necklace in the original ad and enjoyed playing Mario Kart World on set during breaks. However, he humorously noted that 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 resumed, set for April 24, with the console still priced 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.
