Nintendo has enlisted the charm of actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a new commercial that humorously and affectionately nods to his iconic 1991 Super Nintendo advertisement. In the original, a youthful Rudd, sporting a distinctive black jacket, beaded necklace, and a memorable hairdo, dramatically arrives at a drive-in movie theater. With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in hand, he connects it to the big screen, captivating onlookers with classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City. The ad famously concludes with the SNES tagline: "Now you're playing with power."

Fast forward to the present, and Rudd, remarkably unchanged despite the passage of 34 years, brings his iconic style—complete with the jacket, necklace, and hair—into a modern living room setting. This time, he sets up a Nintendo Switch 2 and joins comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, along with a child who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." They dive into a game of Mario Kart World, utilizing the new GameChat feature. The commercial playfully pokes fun at Rudd's 90s persona, complete with a fog machine and a fan to recreate the dramatic ambiance of the original ad. It wraps up with Rudd's updated slogan: "Now we're playing together," embracing the communal aspect of gaming today. The ad's light-hearted tone and self-aware humor make for an endearing tribute to its predecessor.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about reprising his role in a Nintendo hardware commercial after over three decades. He shared amusing anecdotes, including his suspicion that he wore his own beaded necklace in the original commercial and how he kept playing Mario Kart World during breaks on set. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can view the full interview below:

Just this week, preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 resumed, available starting April 24, priced at $450. Note that accessory prices have increased due to tariffs in the United States. For all the details on securing your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.