Today, I received two retro Game & Watch consoles, released in 2020 and 2021 to celebrate Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, respectively.
Both are Japanese versions, brand new and unopened — intended as part of my permanent collection.
The Mario Edition #
The Super Mario Bros. version includes four programs:
- Super Mario Bros. (Famicom/NES version)
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (the Japanese Famicom Disk System version, known as The Lost Levels overseas)
- Ball — the original 1980 Game & Watch juggling game
- A charming digital clock mode, featuring dynamic Mario animations
It’s an elegant little tribute that bridges the earliest Game & Watch era with the golden age of the Famicom.
The Zelda Edition #
The Legend of Zelda version follows the same concept but with a richer library:
- The Legend of Zelda (Famicom version)
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
- Link’s Awakening (Game Boy version, in its original monochrome form)
- A special playable clock and timer, themed around Hyrule
It’s more than nostalgia — it’s a playable museum piece.
Hidden Potential #
Interestingly, both models are capable of more than what’s officially included.
By following community-developed hardware modification guides, these systems can be customized to run additional titles.
Their compact form factor and ARM-based architecture make them a fascinating platform for enthusiasts to explore.
A Worthy Addition #
Whether they are worth owning depends on how much value you place on an object that is part toy, part anniversary piece, and part invitation to tinker. For me, the more affordable Zelda edition makes the clearest case. Both machines look back to Nintendo’s beginnings without pretending to belong to them: modern objects carrying an old silhouette, with just enough technological curiosity beneath the surface.