Nintendo has released the first commercial for the Switch 2, and it’s a huge throwback to the 90s. The ad, featuring Hollywood actor Paul Rudd—the star of Ant-Man and Avengers: Endgame—recreates the original 1991 commercial for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), which starred a young Rudd.
Now 56, the actor appears in the new Switch 2 commercial sporting the same hairstyle and outfit he wore back in 1991. But this time, instead of thrusting a SNES cartridge into the console, he places the Switch 2 into its docking station.
The US-bound commercial highlights several new features of the Switch 2, including the updated Joy-Cons, a built-in camera, and the social “C” GameChat button. Of course, it also showcases Mario Kart World, the flagship game for Nintendo’s next-gen console.
The homage to the SNES ad is heavy on nostalgia, and the connection between past and present feels organic—not forced. The trailer ends with Rudd saying, “It’s nice playing with power, but this is better because now we’re playing together—super together,” as a fog machine and fan add a dramatic flair reminiscent of the original 90s ad.
Interestingly, the commercial uses the same sound effects and music as the 1991 version, instantly transporting viewers back to that era. Alongside the new Switch 2 ad, Nintendo has also uploaded the original 1991 SNES commercial for comparison.
This isn’t the first time Nintendo has tapped into nostalgia. In fact, the company has consistently found the sweet spot between retro appeal and modern innovation, reaching entirely new generations through its games and consoles.
The Switch 2 goes on sale on June 5 for $450—a $150 price jump from the original Switch, which launched eight years ago at $300. Preorders were originally slated to begin on April 9, but on April 4, Nintendo announced that preorders would be delayed in the US “in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions.” The company later confirmed that preorders would begin on April 24 at major retailers such as Best Buy and Target, with the console’s price remaining unchanged.
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However, Nintendo is raising the prices of almost all Switch 2 accessories by $5 “due to changes in market conditions”—a reference to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
The Switch 2 may not look drastically different from the original Switch, but it represents a meaningful upgrade. It features a larger 8-inch display with a 120Hz HDR-capable LCD panel, a much faster custom Nvidia processor, redesigned Joy-Con controllers (which can also be used as a mouse) that attach magnetically to the console, and a strong lineup of exclusive games available only on the Switch 2.
Nintendo will also be charging more for its games, with Mario Kart World launching at a higher $80 price point.
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