Get ready to time-travel! On April 20, 2025, Nintendo dropped a Nintendo Switch 2 ad that’s got U.S. gamers buzzing with nostalgia. Starring Paul Rudd, the commercial remixes his iconic 1991 Super Nintendo (SNES) ad with a modern twist, hyping the Switch 2’s June 5 launch. From retro fog machines to the slick new GameChat feature, this “Now You’re Playing Together” campaign is a love letter to 90s kids and new fans alike. Tech4Get’s diving into the Switch 2 ad frenzy—why it’s genius, what’s new, and how to snag your console before pre-orders vanish on April 24.
A 90s Throwback That Hits All the Feels
In 1991, a 20-something Paul Rudd rocked a long black coat, beaded necklace, and very 90s hair, strutting into a drive-in theater with a SNES. He fired up The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, and SimCity, wowing a crowd with the slogan “Now you’re playing with power.” That ad, re-shared by IGN, went viral in 2021 and 2024 on X, with fans joking Rudd “never ages.” Fast-forward to 2025, and Nintendo’s brought him back for the Switch 2, recreating the cheesy glory. Eurogamer calls it “retro in the best possible way,” and X users are losing it over the nostalgia. With 49.1 million SNES units sold by 2003, this vibe’s a slam dunk for U.S. millennials who grew up on 16-bit classics.
Rudd’s 2025 Glow-Up: Same Vibe, New Tech
The new 90-second ad, “Now You’re Playing Together,” is peak Paul Rudd. At 56, he’s still rocking that coat, necklace, and hair, striding into a living room to dock the Switch 2. Joined by comedians Joe Lo Truglio (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Jordan Carlos, and a kid calling him “Uncle Paul,” Rudd plays Mario Kart World using the GameChat feature. Nintendo Insider explains GameChat lets you start voice chats with a Joy-Con 2’s C button, share screens across different games, or video chat with up to four friends via a USB-C camera ($55). The crew teases Rudd’s 90s getup, complete with a fog machine and fan for that over-the-top SNES vibe. Rudd wraps it with a new slogan: “It’s nice playing with power, but now we’re playing together… Super together!” TechEBlog says it’s “cheesy as heck” but “adorably effective.”
Why This Ad’s a Marketing Masterpiece
Nintendo’s playing 4D chess. ComicBook.com notes this is one of Rudd’s first on-screen roles, making his return a full-circle moment that’s catnip for 60% of U.S. gamers aged 25-44 (per 2024 stats). The ad leans into self-aware humor, poking fun at the 90s excesses while showcasing the Switch 2’s social edge. VGC reports Nintendo’s also running Japanese TV spots and street ads, but the Rudd commercial targets Western fans, especially older players who’ll vibe with Mario Kart World’s tricky courses and GameChat’s smack-talk potential. X posts call it “genius,” with
@GameSpot praising the SNES nod and
@GlobalPulse_Vir hyping the $450 console. Even memes about Rudd’s “ageless” look (he’s 56!) are driving buzz—some fans on X want the Switch 2 named “Super Nintendo Switch.”
The Tariff Sting: Pre-Orders and Price Hikes
The Switch 2 launches June 5 at $449.99 (standard) or $499.99 (with Mario Kart World), but Trump’s tariffs delayed pre-orders from April 9 to April 24, per Eurogamer. Accessories took a hit: Joy-Con 2 ($95, +$5), Pro Controller ($85, +$5), and the GameChat camera ($55, +$5). Nintendo Life says the console’s power rivals a PS4 Pro, perfect for portable Zelda or Mario Kart marathons. Pre-orders start at midnight ET at Target and Walmart, 11:00 AM ET at GameStop, and TBD at Best Buy, but Amazon’s out due to a feud with Nintendo (ComicBook.com). IGN warns stock could vanish fast, like the PS5’s launch—set those alarms!
How to Score Your Switch 2
Don’t let scalpers ruin your day-one Mario Kart World dreams. Here’s your game plan, inspired by IGN and X tips:
- Prep Now: Save payment info at Target, Walmart, and Best Buy—stock may sell out in minutes.
- Hit Midnight: Target and Walmart open pre-orders at 0:00 ET on April 24.
- Try GameStop: Online at 11:00 AM ET or in-store at opening (usually 10:00 AM local).
- Follow Alerts: Track @Wario64 on X for restock updates.
- Skip Amazon: No pre-orders there, so focus on GameStop’s midnight launch events (VGC). With U.S. holiday tech spending projected to hit $90 billion in 2025, you’ll need speed to join the “Super together” party.
Join the Nostalgia Party!
Paul Rudd’s Nintendo Switch 2 ad is a nostalgic knockout, blending 90s SNES swagger with 2025’s social gaming glow. Pre-orders drop April 24—will you be racing in Mario Kart World or reliving Zelda on Switch Online? Tech4Get’s tracking every deal and update, so stick with us to ride this retro wave. Got your pre-order plan or a favorite SNES memory? Drop it in the comments and let’s play together!
