Paul Rudd Stars in New Nintendo Switch 2 Commercial with a Fun 1990s Throwback

Nintendo just released a new commercial for the Switch 2, and it brings back some serious 1990s nostalgia. The ad stars actor Paul Rudd, who was also in a Super Nintendo (SNES) commercial way back in 1991.

In that old ad, a young Rudd wore a long black coat, had indie-style hair, and rocked a beaded necklace. He played cool games like F-Zero and The Legend of Zelda, while looking like the ultimate ’90s guy.

Now, Nintendo has brought him back—34 years later—to do it again. The new commercial is called “Now You’re Playing Together.” It’s 90 seconds long and filled with old-school vibes. Rudd is now 56 years old, but he still looks a lot like his younger self.

He wears the same black duster, the same necklace, and the same hairstyle. It’s like he stepped out of a time machine.

This time, Rudd isn’t alone. He walks into a living room and meets up with comedians Joe Lo Truglio and Jordan Carlos. There’s also a kid in the room who calls him “Uncle Paul.” Everyone is excited to play the brand-new game Mario Kart World on the Switch 2.

Rudd picks up the new console and docks it with a big, dramatic move—just like he did in the original ad. There’s a fog machine and even a fan blowing his hair back to give it that cool, over-the-top ’90s energy. Everyone laughs at his style and his super serious face. They even joke about his outfit and call it “retro.”

But the commercial isn’t just about jokes. It shows off the Switch 2’s new features, like GameChat. With GameChat, players can talk to each other with video while playing, even if they’re playing different games.

The console has a built-in microphone, and it also works with a USB-C camera. You can chat with up to four people at once, which makes playing together a lot more fun.

At the end of the ad, Rudd changes the old Nintendo slogan. Back in the day, it was “Now you’re playing with power.” But this time, he looks at the camera and says, “Now we’re playing together.” That’s the big message of the Switch 2—playing with friends, no matter where they are.

The Nintendo Switch 2 will launch around the world on June 5, 2025. And with a fun, heartwarming ad like this, it’s clear that Nintendo wants fans old and new to play together.

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