Topic: Zelda Game and Watch

I got mine recently and I'm playing LA on it. I intend to play thru the entire game, which I've played the dx version and the remake on switch multiple times, I just haven't played the GB version. It's great playing on it. However, its pretty hard to see link in zelda 1, it's almost too small. I haven't fired up zelda 2 yet though.

Heh I used to play Zelda 1 a lot on the Game Boy Micro. So this is a bit of an upgrade compared to that.

I quite like it when they add single-player ways to save the game, that don't involve increasing the kill count or save states. I guess that's why I liked the GBA version so much: no need to jump around with other controllers or menus. So this will most likely become my default way to play Zelda 1 from now on.

The fact it also comes with Link's Awakening is the whipped cream topping.

It seems that they did a better job on the Zelda Game and Watch then they did on the SMB one. As much as I like the SMB one, I thought $50 was a bit overpriced for just one game.

I did enjoy the infinite lives mode there. First time I beat the original Super Mario Bros thanks to that.

But yes, this one just seems a lot more suited to being something I'll want to take around and actually use, instead of being just a collectors piece I look at every now and then. There's a lot more "game" here, I suppose.

Even Vermin is more enjoyable than Ball, and the timer is more of a mini game than an actual tool.

@Eel so you can create an actual save on this how? I've just suspended the game by going into a different game or setting and I can always go back to where i left off in LA, but I haven't done a real save yet.

@NintendoByNature they incorporated the saving shortcut from Links Awakening into all the games, just press Start, Select, A and B at the same time to bring up the regular save menu.

When playing Links Awakening you can do this at any time, in Zelda 2, you can only do it when you’re in the status screen or in the overworld, and in Zelda 1, you can only do it while in the status screen.

The temporary saves from switching games get erased if you let the the system run out of battery, so I absolutely recommend saving every now and then!

(Of course, another way to save is to run out of hearts)

@Eel Yeah I didn't buy the Super Mario Bros one for me because it only was Super Mario Bros and I have a million other ways to play it if I want including GBA. I did buy it for my brother last Christmas for a stocking stuffer but honestly it just didn't seem worth $50. Maybe if it was 19.99 or even 24.99 then but like I said I have so many other ways to play it.

@Eel wow that's great info. Especially the running out of battery part as mine surely would've at some point. Thank you

A tip for the first game:

There's a secret money-making game in the screen directly to the left from where the game starts, the one with the spider enemies, you need bombs to access it.

You can get money very easily by saving after you win and resetting the game when you lose. If you kill all the enemies except one, then that screen will stay with only one enemy even between resets, so it's very easy to quickly go in after a reset. You can use the money to start the game with the blue tunic and the magic shield, among other useful items.

You can also get two extra hearts and the first sword upgrade before entering the first dungeon.

I am enjoying this little contraption alot more than I thought I would

The screen warp glitch works in this version of Links Awakening!

It’s quite fun to mess around with it.

Yea I just got to animal village. Love playing the original version of LA. Feels right playing on the G&W

I had never really played the original version, but it does feel “right” somehow.

I’m quite happy with the color palette they used as well. Pretty pleasant on the eyes, compared to what we had for the Game Boy Virtual Console on the 3DS.

I didn't either. Only played the dx version on 3ds. But I totally agree, the color/screen, all look twice as good on the G&W as it did on the 3ds( at least other gb titles). Just having those two buttons and a start and select on a tiny handheld feel authentic.

These things seem to have REALLY long battery life. They turn on/off in an instant and always pick up where you left off. I’ve only ever charged my Super Mario unit once, from memory, and I just turned it on again now and it’s still showing a full charge.

I will definitely make more use of the Zelda one though as I intend to play through the original Link’s Awakening after all these years. I have no interest in the NES Zeldas though as they don’t seem to have aged well at all and I can’t see myself having any fun with them.

The first one is pretty nice imo. I like to set up my files for an easier adventure though… That involves getting the level 2 sword, the blue tunic, magic potions, and an assortment of items before setting out on the main quest.

You just need to know how to get quick easy money, and the location of the two extra hearts required for the sword. Thankfully it’s all pretty close to the starting area and relatively danger-free.

It’s almost like a tiny Breath of the Wild, you have a weird amount of freedom, even inside the dungeons themselves.

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Also, on an unrelated note, anyone else noticed this? When you return to a game, the G&W will put a “PAUSE” message and wait for you to move a button before dropping you into the action… Except when you paused the game manually before leaving the game!

The system somehow knows you are in a menu, and that it doesn’t need to pause the action for you. I don’t know why, but I find that fascinating.

It's been awhile since I played the first game. Anyone remember what the heart requirements were for the sword upgrades??

@Tasuki for the second one you need 5.

For the third one it’s 12. So you need to complete at least four dungeons to get it.

@Eel Ok.I was thinking it was 6 and 12 and I was trying to find another heart to get the first upgrade before any dungeons.

@Tasuki yeah I’m almost sure they balanced it so you can easily get the first upgrade right from the start. All the things you need are near around the starting point.

I think you can actually get a sixth heart, though.

Edit: yeah, the one in the boulder just needs bombs.