Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to generate excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that charmingly echoes a classic 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial featured Rudd, sporting a distinctive long black jacket, beaded necklace, and an eye-catching hairdo, confidently approaching a drive-in movie theater with his SNES. He connected the console to the big screen and played iconic games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City, drawing a captivated crowd. The ad famously ended with the slogan, "Now you're playing with power."
In the fresh Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, a 34-year-older Rudd, who somehow maintains a remarkably similar appearance, strides into a living room. He sets up the new console to play Mario Kart World with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." Utilizing the system's new GameChat feature, they engage in playful banter about Rudd's nostalgic attire and the over-the-top atmosphere, complete with a fog machine and fan to recreate the intensity of the original ad. The commercial humorously shifts the focus from "playing with power" to "playing together," embracing the cheesiness and celebrating the whimsy of the 90s commercial.
IGN had the opportunity to sit down with Rudd to discuss his experience filming this sequel to his 30-year-old Nintendo commercial. During the interview, Rudd revealed he believes he wore his own beaded necklace in the original ad and enjoyed playing Mario Kart World between takes. However, he humorously noted that he wasn't allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can watch the full interview here:
This week, Nintendo announced that pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 will reopen on April 24, maintaining the price at $450, though accessory costs have risen due to U.S. tariffs. For detailed information on securing your pre-order, check out our comprehensive guide.
