Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a charming new commercial that playfully revisits his iconic 1990s Super Nintendo ad.
The original 1991 commercial features a young Rudd sporting a dramatic black coat, beaded necklace, and bold hairstyle as he marches into a drive-in theater with an SNES. He connects the console and plays classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and F-Zero on the big screen, attracting an amazed crowd. The spot famously ends with SNES's tagline: "Now you're playing with power."
The new Nintendo Switch 2 ad shows Rudd – remarkably unchanged after 34 years – recreating his original look as he bursts into a living room with the new console. Joined by comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, plus a child calling him "Uncle Paul," they demo Mario Kart World using the Switch 2's GameChat feature while joking about Rudd's retro style. The self-aware commercial even includes exaggerated 90s effects like fog machines and dramatic wind. Instead of "power," the updated tagline declares: "Now we're playing together."
IGN interviewed Rudd about revisiting Nintendo commercials after three decades. He revealed likely wearing his own necklace in the original ad and sneaking Mario Kart World sessions between takes. Sadly, he confirms Nintendo didn't let him keep a Switch 2 console. Watch our full interview here:
Nintendo Switch 2 preorders recently reopened for April 24 release, maintaining the $450 price point though accessories saw tariff-related increases. Our comprehensive guide covers all preorder details.
