Nintendo has enlisted actor Paul Rudd to promote the Nintendo Switch 2 in a charming new commercial that playfully nods to a memorable 90s ad he did for the Super Nintendo. The original 1991 commercial features a young Rudd sporting a long black jacket, a beaded necklace, and a distinctive hairstyle as he confidently walks into a drive-in movie theater, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in tow. He sets up the console and begins playing classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and Sim City on the big screen, drawing a fascinated crowd. The ad ends with the iconic SNES slogan, "Now you're playing with power."

In the new Nintendo Switch 2 commercial, Rudd, now 34 years older yet remarkably unchanged in appearance, dons the same iconic outfit. This time, he enters a living room and connects the Nintendo Switch 2, joined by comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos, and a child who affectionately calls him "Uncle Paul." They dive into a game of Mario Kart World, utilizing the system's innovative GameChat feature. Amidst the gameplay, Rudd's companions playfully rib him about his retro attire and the over-the-top style of the original ad, complete with a fog machine and a fan to recreate the dramatic effect. The commercial wraps up with Rudd humorously tweaking the old slogan to, "Now we're playing together," embracing the cheesiness while celebrating the communal joy of gaming.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Rudd about reprising his role in a Nintendo hardware commercial over three decades later. Rudd shared that he believes he wore his own beaded necklace in the original ad and mentioned he continued playing Mario Kart World on set during breaks. Sadly, he wasn't allowed to take a Nintendo Switch 2 home. You can watch the full interview below:

This week, preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 have reopened, set for April 24, with the console still priced at $450. However, due to tariffs in the United States, the cost of accessories has increased. For all the details on securing your preorder, check out our comprehensive guide.