Today sees the launch of Nintendo's latest Game & Watch system – yeah, we still can't believe we're saying this in 2021 either – as the new Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda arrives on store shelves. It's a cool little device with plenty of features, but there's one little secret that Nintendo kept from us building up to its launch.
While your attention will no doubt be gobbled up by the system's colour screen and the Zelda games included when your unit arrives, make sure to pop the console out of its casing and flip it over when you get the chance. On the back, and in the right lighting conditions, you should be able to see a glowing Triforce symbol, as shared by Nintendo Life reader @Ferdsigner:
Here's a closer look:
Now, you'll have to forgive us for completely missing this in our Zelda Game & Watch review – as we mentioned, you'll need to be in a relatively darkened room and have the unit's brightness turned up to spot it. Still, it's a neat little addition, right?
- Further Reading: Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda Will Let You Enjoy Both Japanese And 'Western' Versions
Are you getting your hands on the new Zelda Game & Watch today? Have you already got one as we speak? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 39
Gotta love Nintendo
Such a shame Nintendo didn’t want to add metal kickstands to these.
That is adorable. Looking forward to mine arriving. It has been too long since I've played Link's Awakening
Mine is on its way from Amazon, as Nintendo UK Store no longer lets Guernsey people enter card details on their site as it scans your IP address and says we are not in the UK.
Wish this came with a charging stand but hey I will make one for it
Nice. I like little magic like this
Dunno if y'all reported this yet either, but holding down "A" on Vermin gives you a Game C mode which is otherwise unavailable.
Ok. This might sound stupid but, I want one of these now.
Mine arrived today with bonus cloth and going under the tree for Christmas for me, gone all out this year… Xbox series x, extra controller, 1tb expansion too… and some boba Fett adidas stuff… I might be too old for “big present” but who cares
This sounds really tempting to get...but I'm already off to a bad start with getting Zelda collectables.
Here’s hoping for a Metroid and Kid Icarus follow-up
"Today sees the launch of Nintendo's latest Game & Watch system – yeah, we still can't believe we're saying this in 2021 either"
They released a Game & Watch in 2020 for a major franchise anniversary, but you really can't believe that they would do the same thing just 1 year later?
Let's hope it's as available as the Mario one. I'm ready for another clock on my desk.
Oh! I just discovered for myself that holding down "A" on the timer mode unlocks (what I think is, based on how the counter changes) a survival mode and the background changes.
Edit: I guess more like a Time Attack mode, defeat all the enemies in the shortest time. You respawn when you die, at least.
Time flies. I remember pre-ordering this when it was announced. Just now I got the email that it's ready for pickup 👌
Would have been more appropriate if the G&W game included was actually Zelda rather than Vermin, but I suppose they wanted to keep the single-screen G&W format....since the included NES games obviously don't use more than one screen.
After seeing this article, I literary just order it! XD
"Outside of that, the design is identical to the Super Mario Bros. version – save the neat inclusion of the Triforce, which is embossed on the rear of the unit and actually lights up."
Excerpt from the review - was this text added after the original posting of the article? Or is there ANOTHER Triforce? 😂
I still have an old game and watch thingy. I’m pretty sure it’s fire.
"A secret now that only turning up the brightness and turning down the lights can tell..."
-Isildur
Sorry, been on a bit of a lord of the rings kick as of late.
It's NOT a secret to everybody!
@mandlecreed Ryan got called out on his article from yesterday about the "error" in the Arcade Archives Super Mario Bros. game. The error from his article was fixed four days after its release 4 years ago, but he couldn't be bothered to look into it that deeply I guess.
Now it seems he can't even be bothered to read his own co-worker's reviews.
Nice, but it seems like a battery killer!
How cool is that?
That was literally the first thing I noticed when I unboxed mine today.
@Mario_maniac And that's not all! If you hold down the "A" button when selecting a file after creating it, Link will start off with max health. This works for all three games, and in Zelda II, Link is also given all of his spells, and all of his other stats and lives are maxed as well.
You have to hold the "A" button when selecting the file in Link's Awakening, which unlike the other two games, immediately starts the game. Link will be tossing and turning in Marin's bed, but you should hear a chime, and upon exiting Tarin's house, Link will have maxed out his health. I had to try this out after the Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch did something similar.
EDIT: Holding down the "A" button in Timer mode when choosing the time limit also does something neat, but I'll leave that for you to find out!
Oh, and one more thing: after you find this secret, you can activate it at any time by pressing start when setting the timer.
Both this and the Mario versions are still sealed not charged yet. Wonder what I should do with them now.
@SwitchForce Save them for 20 years to try and make an extra 20 bucks I guess since you don't seem to plan on using them.
@peppermillian thanks, I did! Broke a rule and took it to bed to play link's awakening last night. On the other hand it's a watch right 😁
@Spider-Kev "you'll need to be in a relatively darkened room and have the unit's brightness turned up to spot it", if they wrote that I'm assuming the trick uses the backlight from the display.
I ended up with two of em. I forgot I had ordered from Gamestop and Amazon. Well, at least one will be mint in box.
Mine arrived yesterday and I was very excited when I spotted the triforce on the back
Very neat 😆 I love these little physical collectibles
I noticed it almost as soon as I turned it on lol as I was looking for a Volune rocker or something also mine seamd to be fairly bright as I can see it in well lit rooms.
Its a nice little thing though for me I want to get a screen protector as soon as I can befor I realy start using it. I do worry about the buttons being made of rubber too hope thay dont go wired and sweaty like some analog sticks do
@peppermillian Link's Awakening! It's one of those games that's hard to put down once started. It's the most captivating Gameboy game for me. Super Metroid has the same effect.. those two games have derailed me from finishing Dread 😁
@Jawessome even a good plastic one would be nice
thnk the lord for 3D printers.
It seems a lot more of a thought out collectors item than the Mario one. The little stand inside the box, the little touches like this. I suspect they'll do a Metroid one next year
@Baker1000 I'd be all over that. It'd have to have Metroid 2 on there!
Very cool extra little feature. It is small differences like those that make me appreciate some products over others. Especially for a Zelda gadget.
@peppermillian the remake was a thing of beauty. But yeah, childhood memories makes the connection to the original strong indeed
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