Nintendo Game & Watch Review - The Handheld That Started It All

Before the Game Boy revolutionized handheld gaming, Nintendo's Game & Watch series introduced gamers to portable entertainment. Created by Gunpei Yokoi and released between 1980 and 1991, these single-game LCD handhelds were simple yet addictive, influencing Nintendo's future handheld consoles in major ways.

Design & Build Quality

The Game & Watch devices were compact, lightweight, and durable, making them easy to carry around. Each model had a small LCD screen displaying static character sprites, along with basic buttons or, in later models, the now-iconic D-pad (first introduced in Donkey Kong).

Certain models, like the Multi Screen versions, even featured a clamshell design, which later inspired the Nintendo DS. The build quality was solid for its time, and even decades later, many units still function perfectly.

Gameplay & Features

Since each Game & Watch device contained a single built-in game, the experience was straightforward but engaging. Some of the most popular titles included:

• Ball (1980) - The very first Game & Watch title, a simple but fun juggling game.
• Donkey Kong (1982) - Featuring platforming gameplay and the first-ever D-pad.
• Mario Bros. (1983) - A cooperative game with a dual-screen layout.
• Zelda (1989) - An action-based adaptation of the popular franchise.

Despite their limited mechanics, these games were incredibly addictive, thanks to their high-score-based challenges and increasing difficulty. Each device also doubled as a digital clock and alarm, making it a functional gadget beyond gaming.

Battery Life

One of the Game & Watch's strengths was its exceptional battery life. Most models used button cell batteries, which could last weeks or even months due to the low power consumption of LCD screens. This made them reliable travel companions before the era of rechargeable gaming devices.

Limitations

While innovative for their time, Game & Watch devices had several limitations:

• Single-game format - Unlike later handhelds, there was no way to swap games, meaning you were stuck with one title per device.
• Basic graphics - The LCD screen could only display pre-drawn sprites, which lacked animation depth.
• No backlight - Similar to early Game Boys, playing in low-light conditions was difficult.

Legacy & Impact

The Game & Watch series was more than just a collection of handheld games-it was a stepping stone toward Nintendo's future successes. The D-pad introduced here became a standard in gaming controllers, and the Multi Screen design inspired the Nintendo DS. The success of these devices proved the viability of handheld gaming, ultimately paving the way for the Game Boy and beyond.

Even today, Nintendo continues to honor the Game & Watch legacy, with special re-releases for Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, bringing back the nostalgia for a new generation.

Final Verdict

The Nintendo Game & Watch was a brilliantly simple yet highly influential handheld series. While its single-game nature may feel limiting today, its high-quality design, fun gameplay, and legacy in gaming history make it a must-have for collectors and retro enthusiasts.

Score: 8/10
✅ Excellent build quality
✅ Addictive, high-score-driven gameplay
✅ Long battery life
✅ Pioneered the D-pad and dual-screen design
❌ Only one game per device
❌ Basic LCD graphics
❌ No backlight

If you're a Nintendo fan or collector, owning a Game & Watch is like owning a piece of gaming history-a reminder of the early days of portable gaming and how far we've come.