By “It filled me with nostalgia in all the right ways”
- by Alana Hagues
If you haven’t yet watched the latest Nintendo Switch 2 advertisement featuring Paul Rudd, where have you been? It’s a charming callback to one of the Ant Man and Anchorman star’s earliest acting gigs, a SNES advertisement from 1991. It’s absurd, it’s comical, and we didn’t think it was possible to admire Rudd even more.
Following the commercial’s debut, IGN hosted a conversation with the actor who discussed reconnecting with Nintendo 34 years post their initial collaboration.
“Well, Nintendo approached me,” Rudd shared with IGN’s Brian Altano, mentioning that he “found great joy in this notion” of revisiting the original advertisement. “I thought the concept they had about redoing it was absolutely hilarious and would be enjoyable, and that’s how it all came to be.”
After discussing the questionable fashion trends from the 1991 SNES advertisement, which Rudd and Nintendo have humorously recreated in the 2025 version, Altano inquires if the new advertisement made Rudd “yearn for the ’90s.” Rudd chuckles and responds “I think it made me nostalgic in a wonderfully appropriate manner,” which we would agree signifies success — and encapsulates how the commercial resonated with us.
Reinforcing that sentiment, Rudd adds that it “did evoke a sense of nostalgia while also nodding towards the future, and it was quite enjoyable to see both elements come together at once.”
The actor also reminisces about growing up near an arcade, which he recalls as “the most amazing thing ever.” His favorite game? Donkey Kong, the original arcade classic. Rudd reflects fondly on the game, describing it as “so distinct” from other games of that era.
The duo discuss Rudd’s perspectives on Mario, his preferred racer in Mario Kart, the convenience of playing the Switch while traveling for work, and the Switch 2’s camera and GameChat features in a genuinely delightful exchange.
Catch their brief conversation up top to see Rudd’s take on the Switch 2, and feel free to share your thoughts on this nostalgic revival in the comments.
[source youtube.com]
Alana has been part of Nintendo Life since 2022, and while her primary passion lies with RPGs, Nintendo is a close runner-up. She delights in strategizing about battles, characters, and narratives. She also dreams of being a Sega air pirate.