Looking back on the history of Nintendo as a maker of video games, it's clear that the Game & Watch line was a significant step; not only did it allow Nintendo's core developers to hone their skills with snappy, engaging titles, it also gave them the opportunity to evolve their hardware talents, coming up with innovations such as the famous 'cross' D-Pad and dual-screen play – innovations which would influence the entire industry, as well as future in-house projects, like the DS and 3DS.
Another equally important moment in Nintendo's history was the arrival of Super Mario Bros. in 1985, the game which – alongside Donkey Kong – is arguably responsible for establishing the Japanese company as a major player in the world of interactive entertainment. Given that 2020 is the 40th birthday of the Game & Watch and the 35th birthday of the game that took plain old Mario and made him super, it makes sense that Nintendo has chosen to celebrate it not only with another re-release of the famous NES title (is it possible to have too many ports of Super Mario Bros. in your home?), but one that also pays homage to the earlier success of the seminal Game & Watch line.
It makes sense that Nintendo has chosen to celebrate Super Mario Bros. not only with another re-release of the title, but one that also pays homage to the earlier success of the seminal Game & Watch line
If you're over the age of 40, then you'll instantly appreciate the packaging Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. comes in, which is based on the box designs of the Game & Watch line from the early '80s. The unit itself is roughly the same size as the initial wave of single-screen Game & Watch titles, and feels just as robust and study. However, Nintendo is wisely not relying entirely on nostalgia to sell this thing; those who weren't even born when the final Game & Watch model, Mario The Juggler, arrived in October 1991 will still want to get their hands on this device because it's highly collectable and looks great sitting on a shelf (it's also likely to rise in value over time, as Nintendo has stated that it's a limited release).
The unit adopts the same colour scheme as the Japanese Famicom, and consists of a plastic shell with a golden metal front plate – another recognisable hallmark of the original Game & Watch line. The iconic cross D-Pad – which began life on the Donkey Kong Game & Watch dual-screen model from 1982 – is present and correct, alongside two rubber action buttons (again, another callback to the controls on the original machines). Three option buttons are located on the front as well; one allows you to select between the three games (Super Mario Bros., the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2 and a version of Ball, the very first Game & Watch title from 1980), while another drops you to an animated clock. The third allows you to pause the game and toggle elements such as screen brightness and volume, as well as reset the current game.
Unlike many of the original Game & Watch units, there's no kickstand on the back – a disappointing oversight when you consider that the unit can be used as a clock. In fact, outside of the serial number and the usual compliance notices, the rear is relatively plain – there's no battery compartment, as was seen on the originals because the unit is powered by an internal rechargeable battery which is topped up using the USB-C cable included in the box (the charging port is located on the right-hand side of the unit, next to the power button). Battery life is estimated to be around 8 hours, although if you have the screen on full brightness and volume set to maximum, you should expect less. The only other element of note is the mono speaker, which is found on the left-hand edge of the device.
The unit's colour LCD screen is bright and colourful, but because it's not displaying the exact native resolution of the NES, it does give the visuals a somewhat soft quality
Because the layout of the unit is such a close match to the NES controller, playing these games is a breeze; if we had any criticism, it would be that the D-Pad is positioned a little too close to the bottom edge of the device, but this is a minor quibble. The pad itself is super-responsive and a joy to use; the rubber buttons might feel odd to those accustomed to hard plastic, but they possess a nice, grippy texture which prevents your sweaty thumbs from slipping off them during intense play.
The unit's colour LCD screen is bright and colourful, but because it's not displaying the exact native resolution of the NES, it does give the visuals a somewhat soft quality. Viewing angles are mostly decent, too; it's only when you tilt the until downwards towards yourself that the image begins to invert its colours slightly, but when tilted in any other cardinal direction, the screen remains perfectly legible. The single speaker is pretty loud, too, when you consider that it's side-mounted and rather dinky – there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, however.
Given that we're talking about games that are now over 35 years old, it should come as no shock to learn that the software emulation is rock-solid, right down to the way that parts of the background music drop out to make way for sound effects at certain points due to the limited number of sound channels the NES possesses. Another nice touch is the fact that your progress is retained in-game even when you switch the unit off or toggle to another title, allowing you to pick up from where you left off later on if you decide the Mushroom Kingdom is getting boring and you fancy a quick go on Ball.
Nintendo has made much of the fact that the unit's animated clock – which shows Mario dashing through an enemy-filled scene from the game, with the time shown in blocks – comes with 35 hidden secrets (one of which, the 'Mario Drawing' song, has already been ruined due to the fact that it showcases a language error), and there's definitely an element of fun to be had discovering new hidden elements. Some of these secrets are relatively simple (pressing the A and B buttons simultaneously causes the blocks to glow, for example, while another secret sees Mario perform a Michael Jackson-style moonwalk) but others are more dramatic and actually change the scene Mario is in altogether. We also love the way the unit has several special 'sleep' screens which appear just before it powers down after being left unattended for a short time.
Why choose to limit the game's library to just these three titles, when we know for sure that it's possible to include a whole host of NES ROMs?
From a hardware perspective, then, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. is a lovely little device which runs three games very well indeed – but that leads us to the single biggest problem we have with such a product. Why choose to limit the game's library to just these three titles, when we know for sure that it's possible to include a whole host of NES ROMs? Super Mario Bros. is a stone-cold classic, that much is clear, but it would have been nice to have a few more Mario outings included, such as the North American sequel and even the third legendary NES instalment, which ranks as one of the greatest 8-bit games of all time. Super Mario Bros. 2 – also known as The Lost Levels – might be something of a curiosity for western players, but it's basically a harder expansion of the original game and arguably isn't as interesting as the western sequel (which, as any Nintendo bore will tell you, isn't a real Mario game at all, but a reskinned version of the Famicom title Yume Koujou Doki Doki Panic). And why not include a few more Game & Watch titles? Ball is a nice way to reference the history of this handheld range, but it would have been nice to see other games – such as the Game & Watch version of Super Mario Bros. from 1986, for example.
It's highly likely that Nintendo plans to create more of these commemorative Game & Watch units as the anniversaries roll in – and, given that both The Legend of Zelda and Metroid turn 35 next year, it's fair to say we're about to enter a period in which Nintendo can comfortably roll at least one of these out every 12 months. Never a company to turn down the opportunity to make cold, hard cash by squeezing its fanbase, it's perhaps naive of anyone to expect Nintendo to release a device like this and pack it to bursting point with games, but even so, when you're paying £50 for a trio of ROMs which are available elsewhere already, it does seem rather tight-fisted, even by Nintendo's often Scrooge-like standards.
Will our complaints matter, though? Probably not. The unit has apparently been selling briskly, and we dare say it will be finding its way into many a Christmas stocking come the end of December. On paper, at least, it's the ideal gift for gamers old and young alike thanks to the way it bridges the generations; if you're old and remember the Game & Watch handhelds, then you'll love the nostalgia factor, and if you're young, seeing Mario's early adventures unfold in their 2D glory will certainly be of interest. We can only hope that with the next Game & Watch release – which surely has to be Zelda-related – Nintendo decides to include a little bit more content. If not, then there's always the inevitable hack, of course.
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Comments 88
BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE FRAMERATES!!!!!
haha lol just kidding.
Nothing beats that feeling of booting up Super Mario Bros. on new hardware and getting killed by the first goomba again. And again.
It's kinda diddy in my hands. Been so many years since I last held a real Game & Watch device... I got a bit of a rude awakening over its diminutive scale.
Nice to have though, no doubt.
I love the box, the packaging. It’s simply beautiful.
I love them photos taken in the article
Wow, I am so disappointed in you Nintendo. Making low quality products.
Clicks Add to Cart and Checkout
But does it have HAPTIC FEEDBACK!?
😏
On a serious note though... As someone who grew up actually using the Donkey Kong Jr Game & Watch as my desk clock, the lack of a kickstand is genuinely puzzling (and disappointing).
Gotta love the Nintendo business plan of repackaging and reselling the same games over and over again at a premium.
Seems kind of short sighted to not include a kickstand if it doubles up as a clock.
A shame that nobody remembered it was Game and Watch's 40th birthday in April this year.
I can't work out why I feel somewhat positively about this 3 game system when I also feel like the game gear micro is a bit of a rip off, maybe this one just has cool extras or maybe just because there isn't 5 variants when there could have just been one.
Mine arrived just now, I wonder if I should get a screen protector for it, I normally do for handhelds but I didn't even think about it for this one because it's more of a collectable I guess
If they made a full range, and charged £5 each for them, then the Game and Watch could be a cool revival.
Better idea: Game and Watch smartphone apps, 99p each.
Ah we have the hack vs mod argument again, Its Friday so I will desist.
My plan to use mine as a desk clock probably not the most practical seeing as there is no kick stand and an 8 hour battery life.
Maybe I can just put it on my shelf in its original box, not to preserve it for collectors purposes, but because the box is so snazzy.
@Munchlax Or maybe one loaded with every Game and Watch on it for a more premium price? The gameplay on these things was VERY basic, but if Nintendo compensated for that by increasing the quantity, they could have a big seller on their hands.
@Zidentia can this be modded?!?!?
Not to yuck other peoples yum, but the NES Classic Mini is a much better deal with 30 NES titles.
It is a pass for me, but hopefully that makes it easier to buy for those that want it.
Doesn't look like mine is going to arrive until tomorrow. Nintendo really missed a trick by not making this a connected device that can download additional Game & Watch games. Imagine if you had a Nintendo Online subscription and could download old single screen Game & Watch titles. Then next year Nintendo release a dual screen version.
@Tandy255 Exactly. Plus the mini NES can easily have more stuff added to it.
@The-Chosen-one If there's a way to output video I would love to see digital foundry make a half-joke video about it
If they did one of these for Mario 64 or Mario world I would be happy xx
Yes, more games could have been included, but this is such a novelty item, I don't think a sizeable library is really the point. I mean, Nintendo has made its NES library available in plenty of other ways.
@gcunit Wat
Since there were no pre-orders in the US, I woke up a little earlier than usual this morning to try to secure one. At first I didn't have any luck but was eventually able to get one in the cart and I'll be picking it up today. I know this is more of a novelty thing, I get that, but this is a piece of Nintendo history and as a child of the early 80's I'm more than happy to throw down $50 for it if only to have it in my collection. I suppose it would also look nice on my desk at work should I acquire a stand for it. It'd be a testament to my fandom
"Never a company to turn down the opportunity to make cold, hard cash by squeezing its fanbase, it's perhaps naive of anyone to expect Nintendo to release a device like this and pack it to bursting point with games, but even so, when you're paying £50 for a trio of ROMs which are available elsewhere already, it does seem rather tight-fisted, even by Nintendo's often Scrooge-like standards."
Really guys, you should rename your website to Nintendohate by now.
This is by far the best retro handheld to be released, even if it only has 3 small games. However you KNOW that before you buy the product. And it's packaged into a lovely package that plays homage to the history of gaming, Nintendo and the featured games. Adding more games would simply defeat the purpose of this little device. Also nobody is forcing you to buy it.
So again I'm going to give this review a low score: 3/10. The device gets a high score. 8/10. (min 2 because no headphone jack)
In the US, Best Buy had a listing a bit after 12am and still had them in-stock several times when I checked this morning
@gcunit Hey, no need to bring employers into this!
Hahaha, yay:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-mario-game-watch-has-already-been-hacked-before-its-even-released/
If only they'd make enough of them to go around then maybe I'd consider being excited for an ultimately trivial trinket.
@sanderev Nintendo does squeeze money out of it's fanbase, through brand loyalty, what are you on about?
@sleepinglion That is actually where I acquired mine. I have to drive 45 minutes to pick it up though. No Best Buy in my town...which is CRAZY because it is a college town... but that's okay, my wife needed to do a bit of shopping anyway.
I'd love a unit for Super Mario Bros 3 in the same yellow as the box, I think that would look great, and it's my favourite Mario game!
I do agree about the criticism of Nintendo's practices here. While I do think this is a good idea and a neat product, I also think Nintendo is a bit stingy here as well and could and should have included more. The obvious choices would be Super Mario 2(USA) and Super Mario 3 to make this like a Mario All Stars unit. I'm really surprised the Super Mario Game & Watch game was not included here. That leads me to believe they'll do another one of these recreating that at some point. It's amusing to look back and realize there was a time when a company could release a game just called "Ball" which is generic even by Atari 2600 naming standards.
I never used to understand the watch part, because I was first exposed to this stuff in the gameboy games. I was like, what am I watching.
@TG16_IS_BAE Sure, they should hand these out for free.
Let me ask you. Do you work for free? No?
Let me tell you. Just like you, people who work at Nintendo like to be paid for the work they deliver. Also, Nintendo is a company and needs to make a profit to exist.
This is awesome and i have one pre ordered but yeah it could have included way more games. On the NES side they could have given us Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3. On the Game & Watch side they could have given us Super Mario Bros. And Mario’s Cement Factory (due to the type of Game & Watch this is). Still really excited for it but yeah, could have been something extra special.
@sanderev People feel compelled to buy these because they are limited and great collectors items. So while they are providing a good product people will enjoy they are also creating a large amount of cash on hand in a short amount in time.
That's called squeezing, it doesn't mean they're evil but they use stuff like this and 3D All Stars to boost cash on hand. Whenever there is a fever to buy something because you might not be able to in the future it is not completely free market taking over. Supply would scale with demand over time for a normal product.
@sanderev That's nice, they also work in entertainment, so their pay isn't guaranteed. They have to do good work to get paid.
What has happened to people. This is a collectors item celebrating Mario's birthday, Folk make out like it's the embodiment of the film Wall Street. Greed is good? This is hardly that. Get a grip people. If ya think it's cool, buy one. If ya don't, then don't.
It does highlight the obvious demand for a Game and Watch mini from game collectors, if not the wider public...
@GrailUK so people are not entitled to form an opinion about a products value on its review comment section? Just telling people to go away because they think something negative is pedestrian.
@sanderev "Really guys, you should rename your website to Nintendohate by now"
Makes a change to being called shills, I guess?
Does anyone know why the colours of the first Super Mario Bros. are different always? I know that it may differ because of the emulation, but it surprises me that every new official release seems to alternate between the blue sky and the slightly purple sky. This one comes with the blue sky from what I have seen, but Super Mario 35 has the purple one.
I expect if its a success Nintendo will release different ones each year possibly.
@doctorhino Lol. I don't mind folk thinking it's beyond their budget. That's sensible. It's the nonsense afterwards that I'll happily choose to dismiss
Seems really weird to make a Super Mario Game & Watch and then put Ball on it, instead of, maybe, the Super Mario G&W game. The lack of a stand is a massive oversight, especially as they even included a clock - as far as I know every Game & Watch had a stand.
I guess I'll just crack out Snoopy Tennis again
@sanderev I don't think an opinion qualifies as 'hate'.
Just got home from work and about to give mine a go now
I'm 30, have no nostalgia for game & watch but do for the gameboy, so it's nice to have the precursor to the gameboy, or a modern re-release of the precursor anyway
I do think that just like mario 3D all stars they've over charged for what it is, and definitely should of included more games, would of liked to see more g&w games given I've never played one before
The lack of a kickstand is annoying, I want to see if I can justify using this as a digital clock on my desk and alarm
Also packaging is spot on, loved the little thank you under the sleeve when opening it, may not seem big deal to some but little touches like that is how you celebrate an anniversary
‘the enviable hack, of course...’ I think you mean inevitable guys. @Damo I’m genuinely tempted now just to see Mario MoonWalk!
I give it a week before the modding community figures out how to add the entire NES catalogue.
Got mine today. Very happy with the simplicity of the device and the ability to pause/restore game quickly. Perhaps I'll make some sort of stand for it and use it as a clock at work. As a side note... It's ridiculous how hard the lost levels are. Even the warp zone is like "just be happy you made it this far", lol
If this was priced at say €35 I would be an easier buy for me, 60 is a bit too rich for my taste.
I grew up playing Donkey Kong Jr. Game & Watch and Oil Panic (dual screen) Game & Watch in the 1980s. I see that this is sold out though, as well as a limited time release.. Never mind then. Would have been nice but not going to pay an exorbitant price to a scalper for one. I had a hard enough time trying to secure a Mini NES, here in Australia, when they were first released..
@GrailUK I will agree 50 for an official item like this is not too far out of the question or a ripoff. It's a fair price. I don't personally want one because it'd probably just end up in a drawer after a few uses but I still think it's cool.
I assume most of those people complaining just want a mini nes portable and are more complaining about that not existing by assuming this product was supposed to fulfill that.
@Damo I think they made it small in scope on purpose because it'd be hard to justify it as a game and watch with a whole nes mini of games on it. It would reflect it in container only.
Hopefully they get us something like that.
Sony and Microsoft don't stand a chance against this hardware release from Nintendo. Expect this to leave Ps5 and Xbox series for dust.
Mine arrived today. Genuinly struggling to decide whether to leave it sealed or bust it open.
@RedRaven723 Bust it open!
What they should have done is have a Game & Watch with the G&W Gallery games all packaged in, with both the original bug-people versions and the upgraded Game Boy (Advance) versions with Mario characters. I'd have bought that in a heartbeat.
No kickstand no buy.
I would only ever use this as a desk clock and can't do that easily without a kickstand. What a daft oversight by Nintendo.
It's also way overpriced for what it is. I doubt its value will rise long term because so many of them have been sold and there are so many gaming investors now. If you do want it as an investment you have to never use it, never open its box. And Where's the fun in that?
On top of the faults mentioned in the article I've got to rate it harshly as its fallen far short of Nintendo's highest standards.
5/10
@doctorhino I know right!!
If it have enough space for 10 NES games I may buy when the hack is accessible
For $50 they can forget it.
Hopes to secure one to collect and maybe future open it to gameplay.
@Gwynbleidd but it's just totally useless. People will buy it and forget about it in some drawer after a month.
This is what scalpers want buyers whom just want to own a piece of history would say. Those whom don't know Nintendo history tend to forget it was NES Mario game that restarted the console gaming when it was dead. But then again we are talking to the wall at this point.
How do you get the little illustrated screens to appear.
@impurekind Ones like in the screen shot is when it goes into sleep mode, just leave the device running and it'll do it automatically
Tbh wish there was a way to turn sleep timer that off
Press and hold a on the title screen to get unlimited lives.
But does it play Crysis??
I’ve just been playing mine for the last hour or so. I went back and forth on whether to cancel my order but now it’s here I’m glad I didn’t. Is a great little device and reminds me of the Game & Watch devices I had when I was very young. I’ve never been great at Mario games (as a Sonic player in the 90s) but with the pick up and play nature of this I might actually improve. I’ll also be very interested to see what the modding community achieve with it.
I have already bought it and am waiting for it to arrive. I can't wait for next year's dual screen NES Zelda one. The G&W for Zelda in the late 80s is one of the most advanced ones, so we are for sure getting something similar next year. Bottom screen would be the action, top screen the menu.
Picked mine up from GameStop today. Got home, looked at it, realized the seal had already been broken. Took it out, it was already on and paused. Called gamestop and explained the situation. They're holding an unopened one for me and they apologized. So, I'm a little perturbed but am happy with their customer service.
It's a nice little collectable and I'm surprised how good it looks on the little screen. One thing I'm disappointed with is there's no alarm feature. I don't know why I presumed there would be, but I was going to keep it on the bedside table and use it as an alarm clock. Seems like a missed opportunity. They really should have put Mario 2 and 3 on there too, but I can live without them.
@Gwynbleidd
There are enough Chinese knockoff handhelds that are all trash. I also have an Evercade which is a lot worse than this one.
@Damo I've been noticing reviews on this site going worse ever since you guys joined up with Pushsquare. Reviews are between bad and terrible. Something the other "Nlife Media"-sites don't seem to have a problem of. Especially on Pushsquare. I am a big Nintendo fan, and since the beginning of the Wii U era this website has been falling in deep and dark pit. And this review clearly shows that even though Nintendo is at the top of their game in YEARS it's still as bad here.
And yes, you guys are shills as well. But I do wonder, for who? If it's a big Nintendo release. (A re-release of a 35-year old game isn't big) Your reviews are always an 8-10. Even if it has huge bugs. But okay, you guys are positive about Nintendo then (with a nice pile of cash from them, I guess) so I'm happy. But when Nintendo isn't as interested in big reviews (like here) the score is usually low and every single detail you don't like about it gets spilled. Even if it has nothing to do with the thing you are reviewing. Like here. It's says on the box exactly what you are getting, there is no false advertising anything.
But I'll leave it at that I disagree with the notion in this review that Nintendo is trying to squeeze money of their fans. Sure they want to make a profit. Which I should note is normal, except if you love communism.
The screen not being the native resolution will probably drive me crazy. This is a nice little device but there are better and cheaper ways to play the included games.
I love the throwback to gaming history. I Just ordered mine.
@Stocksy
There is a possibility from what I see.
I will be first in line for a Pokemon Game & Watch... Give it to me Nintendo
NintendoLife are shills when they give reviews that are apparently too positive, but hate Nintendo when their reviews are apparently too negative.
Kind of like how election fraud took place in states where Trump lost a lead, but not in those where he was gaining.
For me there is a bit of nostalgia but not for Game & Watch. I have several games of this style by other manufactures such as Mattel, Coleco, Tandy and others. This format was the closest thing we had to a Gameboy. I have a wide variety but I never ran across the Nintendo's in the day. I have some electro-mechanical games that use an lcd and a wind up timer, football, hockey and baseball and a King Kong game among others. I am getting one because it will add to my collection and it is a continuation of my collection that experienced a small multi year break.
Just got mine home. It. Is. Gorgeous.
Can’t wait to get it hacked and get Green Beret on it. 😁
So.. is this being delivered via an emulator?
It's such a cute hardware. Got mine yesterday. Waiting for it to get hacked for more NES/GB titles.
Getting mine soon but still kinda wish they put more Game and Watch titles here instead of just NES games.
No thanks, Nintendo. I'll stick w/ my SNES Classic. You don't need anymore of my money
This thing is so cute, I couldn't resist when I saw it at Walmart! Totally gonna prop it up on the Wii U GamePad stand to use as a clock.
First the consoles, now the handhelds.... is gameboy also coming up soon?
in the 80’s, I recall seeing older teens with game & watch’s and thought they were the coolest thing around. I never owned one then which justified my purchase. it’s a piece of Nintendo history I never had until now. extremely happy with my purchase!
@Electric-Dreams - Once this is mod-ready, I'm loading mine with Game & Watch games only. This is the way.
Hi to everyone! Somebody know if there is a mode to display always time mode without sleep? Thanks
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