Paul Rudd Revives 90s Vibe in Nintendo Switch 2 Promo

Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a nostalgic yet charming new commercial, playfully referencing his iconic 1990s Super Nintendo ad.

The original 1991 commercial features a young Rudd sporting a long black coat, beaded necklace, and distinctive hairstyle as he marches into a drive-in theater with an SNES. After setting it up, he plays classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and F-Zero on the big screen, drawing a curious crowd. The spot famously closes with SNES' tagline: "Now you're playing with power."

The new Switch 2 ad reunites viewers with Rudd—looking remarkably unchanged—as he revives his character's signature coat, necklace, and hair. This time, he bursts into a living room to demo the console with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, plus a child who calls him "Uncle Paul." Their Mario Kart World session highlights the system's GameChat feature, while playful banter nods to Rudd's over-the-top '90s persona—complete with fog machines and wind effects mimicking the original's drama. The updated tagline declares: "Now we're playing together," delivering wholesome, self-aware fun.

In an exclusive IGN interview, Rudd shared behind-the-scenes details about filming the sequel commercial decades later. He reminisced about possibly wearing his own necklace in the original shoot and playing Mario Kart World between takes—though he jokingly lamented not getting to keep a Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders recently reopened for April 24 deliveries, maintaining the $450 price point despite increased accessory costs due to U.S. tariffs. Our comprehensive guide covers all preorder details.