Paul Rudd Hypes Nintendo Switch 2 With Playful Throwback to Infamous 90s SNES Commercial

Nintendo has cast actor Paul Rudd in a fresh commercial for the Nintendo Switch 2 that serves as a delightfully cheesy tribute to his iconic 90s spot for the Super Nintendo.

The classic ad from 1991 features Rudd, clad in a long black coat and beaded necklace with a distinctive hairstyle, striding toward a drive-in theater while holding an SNES. He sets up the console and plays titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City on the big screen as an audience gathers around. It wraps up with the legendary tagline: "Now you're playing with power."

Paul Rudd in the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercialIn this updated version, Rudd is three decades older yet retains his signature look. He enters a living room to play the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, plus a child who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." The group enjoys Mario Kart World using the new GameChat feature while teasing Rudd about his outfit and retro enthusiasm. The ad humorously highlights production effects like fog machines and fans to recreate that intense 90s vibe before concluding with the line: "Now we're playing together." It’s wonderfully over-the-top, embracing the silliness of the original spot for a heartwarming result.

IGN recently sat down with Rudd to discuss filming this follow-up hardware ad more than thirty years after his first appearance. During our conversation, he revealed that he likely wore his own beaded necklace in the 1991 commercial and kept practicing Mario Kart World between takes on set. Sadly, he wasn’t allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home with him. You can view our complete interview here: