Nintendo just pulled off one of the most unexpected and brilliant plays in recent gaming history: they’ve resurrected the legendary 1991 Super Nintendo commercial featuring none other than Paul Rudd — and remixed it for the upcoming Switch 2. That’s right. Paul Rudd is back, looking suspiciously like he just stepped out of a time capsule, and the Internet is officially losing its mind.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System Ad in featuring Paul Rudd

The original ad had all the charm of the early ’90s. A teenage Paul Rudd with that irresistible smirk, a Super Nintendo console, and the perfect amount of over-the-top energy. “I’m gonna show you the hottest thing just out of L.A. It’s the next follow-up to KISS,” he said in that iconic commercial, setting the bar high for every gaming ad that followed. In 2025, Nintendo is hitting rewind — but with a modern twist.

Nintendo Switch 2 Ad featuring Paul Rudd

In the new version, Rudd stands in a strikingly similar setting, evoking a direct visual nod to the original. Gone is the SNES, and in its place? The highly-anticipated next-gen console, the Nintendo Switch 2. The lighting, the tone, even Paul’s stance — it all screams retro glory. But instead of simply mimicking the past, Nintendo has layered this one with slick cinematic polish and subtle modern details, the kind that fans are now obsessively dissecting, frame by frame.

So why bring this ad back from the dead after 30+ years? Easy. Nostalgia sells. And no one knows how to bottle and market it quite like Nintendo. For the generation that grew up on the SNES, this commercial is a straight-up serotonin boost. It’s a wink to the past with eyes firmly set on the future. Nintendo is cashing in on our childhood memories — and frankly, they’re doing it masterfully.

Let’s be honest: Paul Rudd being involved is half the magic. He’s become something of an ageless wonder. That he can appear nearly identical to his teenage self in 1991 is, frankly, witchcraft. The man doesn’t age — and Nintendo knows exactly how powerful that visual punch is. Social media lit up instantly. Comments like “HOW DOES HE STILL LOOK THE SAME?” and “Nintendo just won the marketing game” have flooded timelines. It’s not just hype. It’s a generational bridge built on shared memories.

But don’t get distracted by the warm fuzzies. There’s something deeper here. The very existence of this commercial means that Nintendo’s marketing machine is kicking into high gear — and that only happens when something big is brewing. The Switch 2 may still be shrouded in mystery, but this polished and pointed nod to the past feels like a signal flare. If they’re rolling out ads, the official reveal can’t be far behind.

Rumors continue to swirl: more powerful internals, backward compatibility with Switch titles, maybe even a bold new first-party title to launch with it. Fans are scanning every second of the ad for clues. Did you catch the reflection in the screen? Was that a new UI? Is the console shape a little different? The speculation frenzy is only ramping up.

This isn’t just a fun callback — it’s a strategic move. Nintendo is playing the long game, and they know exactly what they’re doing. By tapping into one of their most iconic marketing moments and blending it with the cool confidence of Paul Rudd, they’ve created something that hits on multiple levels. It appeals to gamers who lived through the SNES era while stirring curiosity in a younger audience eager to see what all the buzz is about.

Image Comparison credits to Press-start.com.au

This commercial might just be the start. If Nintendo’s willing to dust off a 30-year-old ad for a comeback, what else might they have up their sleeve for the Switch 2’s eventual unveiling?

All signs point to something massive. And when that moment finally arrives, you can bet Paul Rudd will be there — cool as ever, cracking a grin that still somehow says, “It’s 1991, baby.”

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