Nintendo has enlisted the charm of actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that lovingly nods to a classic 90s ad he starred in for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial features a youthful Rudd sporting a distinctive long black jacket, beaded necklace, and a memorable hairstyle as he strides into a drive-in movie theater. With SNES in tow, he connects it to a giant screen to showcase games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City, attracting a curious crowd. The iconic slogan "Now you're playing with power" closes the ad.

In the fresh Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, despite the 34-year gap, Rudd's appearance remains strikingly similar, complete with the same coat, necklace, and hairstyle. This time, he enters a living room and sets up the Nintendo Switch 2 to play Mario Kart World with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child who addresses him as "Uncle Paul." They utilize the system's new GameChat feature, while the others playfully rib Rudd about his nostalgic attire and the exaggerated 90s ad style, complete with a fog machine and fan for dramatic effect. The ad ends with Rudd humorously updating the slogan to "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness and nostalgia for a heartwarming effect.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about reprising his role in a Nintendo hardware commercial after more than three decades. During the conversation, Rudd shared that he might have worn his own beaded necklace in the original commercial and admitted to playing Mario Kart World on set between takes. However, he humorously noted that he didn't get to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can watch the full interview here:

This week, preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 resumed, set for April 24 with a steady price of $450, although accessory costs have increased due to U.S. tariffs. For all the details on securing your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.