Back in 1991, video game behemoth Nintendo released an ad for their upcoming successor to the Nintendo Entertainment System. This 16-bit console, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was a game changer for its time, and the advertisement for it featured a little-known actor at that time who would later become a game changer himself. That actor was Paul Rudd. Flash-forward almost 35 years later and Nintendo has a new console coming out, the Switch 2, but they brought back an old friend to do a commercial for it.
Nintendo recently released the original Super Nintendo ad on their YouTube channel, and front and center is Paul Rudd in his duster jacket, beaded necklace, and indie rock hair. People gather around him as the drive-in display in front of him shows clips of games like “Pilotwings,” “F-Zero,” and “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.” Meanwhile, the voice of the late, great voice actor Tony Jay declares “Now you’re playing with power – super power!”
It was an iconic ad for its time, made more notable today because of Paul Rudd being there.
A lot has changed in gaming since then but Nintendo has taken that idea of people gathering around Rudd to watch him play and tweaked it to fit the Switch 2’s multiplayer connectivity. As showcased in the Nintendo Direct presentation, and showcased here, the Switch 2 is a more open multiplayer experience for Nintendo users, allowing players to voice chat together and use webcams to see each other while playing. With a press of the Switch 2’s new “C” button, Rudd brings up three others as they play a game of “Mario Kart World.” They banter, make fun of how old Paul is now, and Rudd gets to utter a new form of the old slogan. “Now we’re playing together – super together!”
The ad takes a number of great pains to recreate elements of the original. For example, instead of a flashing marquee light outside of the drive-in, now it’s a flickering ceiling lamp that hangs over head. Many of Rudd’s head movements and the camera angles that capture them have been remade too, indicating a good amount of love and care was put into making this a true throwback.
Those wanting to experience the power of playing together – super together, don’t have to wait very long. The Switch 2 is set for release on June 5th, 2025.
