Nintendo Game & Watch History

Before the NES and Game Boy, Nintendo ruled the gaming world with a series of pocket-sized Game & Watch classics. With Nintendo marking Super Mario's 35th with a brand-new Game & Watch system, we take a deep dive into the history of this LCD range!
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[@That_Lady_Charlie]

take a moment to appreciate Gunpei Yokoi. his inventions and ideas made portable entertainment as we know it possible. Game and Watch paved the way for Game Boy, which then created a desire for more advancements in portable technology (and not just in gaming). what a gift!

[@duffman18]

He also came up with VR gaming like 20 years before everyone else did

[@louisdellalucca8969]

The man was a legend. He was taken from us far too soon.

[@souljastation5463]

Although it's "gUnpei" (pronounced like "Gunter"), NOT "gAnpei" (pronounced like Gundam or gun). A channel called "Nintendo life" should know this.

[@MaxOakland]

It’s really sad that he died so young and so tragically

[@JP1NYC]

No shit.

[@last5902]

When you realized you were on a train and a man is staring at you for playing your calculator in 1977.

[@adamhernandez7183]

Little did that guy realise what a big legacy he contributed to.

[@lsmar20]

I want that guy to be working for nintendo

[@Vugbdok8307]

My man created Nintendo switch

[@JessmanChicken86]

@@lsmar20 It would just be him in the office with developers watching his every move.

[@SeriousMcnegative]

I gave my Zelda game and watch away to a friend when I was a kid, not realising what I had inherited. After 20 years, I found another Zelda dual-screen console in an obscure indie shop. Bought it for *alot* of money, and the guy who sold it to me even threw in a ton of batteries. This video is brilliant. So well researched and informative, without being as 'ego-centric' as some other KZbin gaming vids.

[@retrocollectionstudio]

Ive just covered Zelda on my channel in my last episode, i feel it is likely the best game & watch tbh

[@NekoMichi]

3:01 - Aww yeah! I have the DK Game & Watch system and it still works. Bought at a flea market for £21, it was all scuffed up and broken (it even had teeth marks on the exterior). I spent an entire day taking it apart and cleaning all the components before putting everything back together and seeing the screen wake up for the first time in what might have been decades was just amazing. It now sits on my shelf, a historical relic from the time when the D-Pad was first introduced to the world.

[@retrocollectionstudio]

That orange Multi Screen Game & watch was ground breaking, i did an episode on it on my channel a while back, it won awards for Nintendo

[@NekoMichi]

@@retrocollectionstudio I watched your episode on it, great stuff! And I'm glad you mentioned the exposed screen ribbon cable on the multi-screen Game and Watch, I ended up reinforcing mine with a clear plastic sheet.

[@jacobradabaugh6241]

I feel like Jon joining has really changed the Nintendo Life channel for the better and I love seeing him and Zion making more varied videos!

[@theantithesis1]

The tabletop and panorama series did not use VFD. It had a big white light diffusing surface on the back of the LCD and a mirror to reflect the screen at the player. It used the ambient light in the room and the relative darkness the screen arrangement provided to illuminate the screen. Clever, but it also didn't work in darkness since it required an external light source.

[@rayminishi689]

Nintendo could honestly convert all of their NES classics to Game & Watch formats. From beloved titles to the black box ones like Excite bike and Ice Climber.

[@Rgoid]

@RayMinishi The Angry Video Game Nerd will definitely be enraged by THAT idea. “What was Nintendo thinking?”

[@alphabettical1]

These reminds me of the tiny games you could get in kid's meals. It's incredible seeing the dual-screen format - it makes sense, but it's still striking how much it looks like the DS. I wonder if it would be possible to power these with a calculator-style solar panel?

[@harrisonbennett3787]

With a lot of modding, you might be onto something

[@kaizer3000jp]

Bandai had released lcd games using solar technology. Just search on youtube with keyword “bandai solar lcd game”

[@lxtsang]

This is great content , please do more of these !

[@amazingjake3417]

Dude you literally predicted the Zelda game and watch.

[@alphabettical1]

Nintendo's Old-Disney magic is the innovation in products like these. Like, every time I see a gameboy add-on that I've never heard of before, it blows me away. I knew about the camera, but not the ball game w your face in it.

[@raultelles9896]

Zelda Game and Watch just announced at E3. This guy is a prophet.

[@OmoiSenpai]

2:15 is pretty much what Nintendo grew to become, and I love them because of it. Always a fan of being "against the flow." ^_^

[@MaxOakland]

The way he put it in the video made it so inspiring to me

[@Dominus_prod.]

@@MaxOakland н

[@Dominus_prod.]

@@MaxOakland не

[@chopsmccartney6786]

I find Game & Watch games to be very relaxing to play, especially before I go to sleep. Some games have a particular rhythm that's very easy to be caught on to, particularly Ball and Fire.

[@yomikoreadman128]

This video aged well. Watching this after the released of The Legend of Zelda Game and Watch on November 12, 2021. Thanks for the beautifully written game journalism. The Legend of Zelda that has a heart *wink* 😅

[@AChannelFrom2006]

My parents shops (back in the day) were one of the first in Australia to stock them.

[@manicdosed]

Woah,Thats cool!

[@bluefalcon3629]

I remember watching Scott's video on these, and it swayed me to preorder the new one. It's really cool seeing how much inspiration these generated for future products, or, as scott put it... 'I didn't know there were so many ways to rip yourself off!'

[@sneky215]

"Well, it's Zelda's 35th next year, so, who knows?" *foreshadowing*

[@Oumpah-Pah]

I have the Nintendo Game and watch and I am hoping they will come out with more of the series...would love to get all the old games.

[@cmd2973]

I still have OG’s from when my parents got them for me in the 80’s. DK Jr, SMB, and Zelda were my favorites.

[@graysonwells21]

For some reason I really love those things! I wish the had a new game and watch gallery. I think it might make as a great mobile game due to the nature of the games. I think the sweet spot for a price could be $10-$5. Also sorry for anyone who doesn’t use that currency I’m not sure how to convert it to others yet.

[@Squintis]

To this day, I can still get lost in “Ball”. it’s simplicity always fools me, then it gets faster and faster until the anxiety sets in and next thing you know your game boy slips out of your hands from sweat.

[@justinkeys2708]

Game & Watch Gallery 2 got me into G&W games. I haven't played all of them but Zelda is my favorite since its fairly action packed compared to the others. I wish they gave it a modernized version of it in Game & Watch Gallery 4.

[@DE23]

Oh my he predicted the Zelda Game & Watch

[@nyhcbd]

this makes me feel so nostalgic, man... i luved all of this back then and had quite a few!! pure bliss, back in the 80's!

[@blacktainfalcon7097]

You predicted the future with Zelda Game and Watch

[@axelatticus2642]

It's great to see Nintendolife expanding the KZbin channel. These new videos are very interesting and John is a great addition. How about some collaborations with Arlo or the switchup guys? I'd Love to see that.

[@Fromagreatheight]

7:37 not really a vacuum fluorescent, but an lcd with a panel behind the screen (white panel on top) for light to pass through a reversed LCD screen. the polarizer was reversed so segments would block light, and a light source coming through the top of the panel would light up the characters on the screen, and get reflected to your vision via mirror. It's why the panel is on top, and that it uses a mirror, so you'd have the panel pointed upwards to a light source.

[@huxmut3417]

good pick-up. i had to drag the slider back and re-listen. bit average on the research front ...

[@mcgibs]

I had a both a Tabletop and a Panorama Screen and they fascinate me to this day. The back lit LCD reflected on a mirror looks so cool, especially in the dark.

[@KotoHayato]

Damn, that transparent one looks so cool

[@MaxOakland]

They’re also sooo expensive nowadays

[@jasonpdsi]

I lived in the Philippines for four years from 80-84, as a kid, and I remember having a bunch of these. Mario Cement Factory stands out especially, as did Popeye.

[@thetoondevil]

I still own my father's old Donkey Kong II game & Watch. And I always looked at it as a classy old school watch. It might be due to the way the covers would have this metallic finish giving the sense that these can be seen as an elaborate pocket watch. I wouldn't experience the other games until they were ported on the Nintendo DS, but I would love to see Nintendo release a game & Watch collection, be it on the switch or even as a classic console like the NES classic that released a couple years back.

[@Whole_Note]

I really hope they release more of these. It makes for such a nice addition to my day. While I'm on my lunch break at work, I can have KZbin on my phone while I play some Ball or Super Mario. I'd love if they made the next one be Western Mario 2, Mario 3, and Mario's Cement Factory. I love all three of those games and they'd be a perfect addition to G&W revival.

Back in the ’80s, Mario Cement Factory was a good idea for a game. Imagine if the next big Mario game was something like Mario Fish Market.

[@markportch]

I remember the Game & watch with found memories from single screen to duel version,especially the donkey Kong one. I don't know if this version was made by Nintendo,but I had got a Pacman won. It had yellow case and was not dual screen but vertical. I'm 54 now and start as a Nintendo fan when I was 5.

[@DuncanZ64]

Never heard of like, half of these. The SuperColor looks friggin' wild. Thanks, Zion!

[@benoosthuizen4961]

Brings back so much memories! Had both Fire and DK Jnr when I was a kid…later gave them to my nephew (I still regret it) and they disappeared. Managed to get the new Mario and Zelda ones and love them. By far my favourite though, was the dual screen DK and always wanted one, but being in SA they were pretty scares and expensive… lived in London for a few years and managed to get hold of one a few years ago. Still in it’s box and in pretty good contition… it’s not going anywhere this time around! 😊

[@cookingfat1]

No mention of Squish. That was the one I played as a kid and loved it. You are right about the clock and the alarm feature, I didn't own a digital watch at the time and I used to use it a lot

[@derpyboi]

What GBA game was playing at 6:48?

[@MrHurricanranas]

I'd love to know too! :-)

[@salorion3011]

Donkey Kong Jr. and the Octopus Diver one were my favourites. I so wish they released these as well. Hoping for more of this simple and enjoyable device that still gives me satisfaction and elation to play.

[@domm]

well, he was right, we're getting a Zelda Game & Watch :)

[@jawessome]

What was the boxing game shown at 6:50?

[@perpetualcheck9634]

It would be cool if they released some of these old game and watches again and with a button to turn the sounds on/off so you can play it anywhere without making noise.

[@Cherokie89]

I used to have a really nice Oil Panic game and watch years back when I still had a pretty sizeable game collection. It still worked perfectly and even had the battery cover. It was pretty neat.

[@ejsing7725]

Looking forward to get the new one in a couple of weeks!

[@bricksburger5409]

I really like the GameXplain guys addition to the team

[@graysonwells21]

Who John?

[@Mr.Dones_]

GameXplain? What's that?

[@glaciiz]

@@Mr.Dones_ it's a KZbin channel that do similar things to Nintendo Life. They review games, secrets and updates.

[@Mr.Dones_]

@@glaciiz I know, I was being sarcastic. Sorry, but thanks!

[@JohnnyTwonami]

Gosh! Brings Back Memories , My High School Days Living In A Military Base In Japan.

[@vancouversouthbestbuyappli8057]

Very cool video with so many different models. Bring back far away childhood fuzzy memories.

[@CptMunta]

What's the neat looking boxing game on the SP at 6:50

[@Mr.Dones_]

Wondering the same.

[@0mally333]

"Neat-Looking Boxing DX Advance"

[@Mr.Dones_]

@@0mally333 I cri

[@gargenfluckgosphenspiels4849]

@@0mally333 i always get that and "Super Neat-Looking Boxing DX Advance" confused.

[@DolphinRevolution]

Might be K-1 Pocket Grand Prix or K-1 Pocket Grand Prix 2

[@controllerspixelsplayers9202]

this was a great video, I love the ending how you mentioned Zeldas approaching anniversary, I watched this video today because I just received the Game & Watch Zelda edition and has Vermin with Links face on it, it is awesome!

[@controllerspixelsplayers9202]

I am so mortified at myself for mixing up the game Ball with Vermin and also saying Zelda instead of Link, for what it is worth I was drinking a LOT of whiskey at that time.... thank god for the option to 'edit' your own comment lol

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

This sort of thing reminds me of those Tiger Toys LCD handhelds which were sold as a low-budget alternative to cartridge-based handhelds including the Nintendo Game Boy or the Sega Game Gear in the 1990s through retailers like Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, ShopKo, Kay-Bee Toys or Toys "R" Us. I remember seeing some kids playing with them near the playground at recess during my 2nd grade year.

[@thihal123]

I used to own the Bomb Sweeper. Would love to have it again

[@andrewnguyen7737]

Back in the 80s, my aunt in Germany sent home (Vietnam) a Game & Watch Popeye. Played it until it died. Don’t remember what happens to it. Missed playing it ever since. Ebay has them selling north of $500. Recently bought a new Game & Watch Supper Mario Bros. Sad to say the excitement and experience arent the same.

[@takwu0]

12:18 the dsi titles were still available in the 3ds eshop for a while, but i just checked and they took down all except dk jr. i bought that and manhole 2 yrs ago so i can still dl them, but now cannot buy other titles anymore. the virtual console for the gb games are still there tho.

[@pikablu_25]

I sincerely hope more game and watch units are made. I want moree

[@NateRD90]

You forgot a few. Flagman was remade in Wario Land 2 as an unlockable minigame, and Manhole was fully unlockable as a full game in WarioWare Gold.

[@jacobharley8401]

Wait, you forgot Ball’s Club Nintendo 2010 rerelease.

[@Jurt619]

7:57 Oh, it ain’t DK’s circus. Nah nah nah, it’s about DK juggling bombs and pineapples, and if you drop a pineapple, or catch a bomb, well, Mario fucking tazes DK.

[@mweeee]

I hope they rerelease some of these, I would definitely get them

[@jamesc7894]

I have the Snoppy game! It's an alarm clock too Got it for Christmas when it was released.

[@Openreality]

Gunpei Yokoi also designed the Gameboy. He also developed and designed the Wander Swan, and the Virtual Boy.

[@dannys6957]

Great prediction on the Zelda Game & Watch, my dude!

[@maestr0damus356]

Amazing video and a real throwback for me as I remember about 90% of these games and still own a few of them. New sub here. Keep up the great work!

[@largesmallworld]

These nostalgic tech still look so cool.

[@RoyMcAvoy]

I remember growing up playing and having few of these consoles. Thanks dad

[@inceptional]

Yeah, I think it would be a great idea for Nintendo to do a Zelda Game & Watch similar to the Mario 2020 one to celebrate its 35th birthday next year.

[@A0111.]

Help! I'm sure I've seen and played a baseball game in the same case as the classic gold Game & Watch series, but now I can't find any information about it. Does anyone else remember it?

[@Tretheperson]

0:08 what is that video?

[@lez2957]

I’m young but I’m interested on retro stuff I need 28 of those in my house

[@adamhernandez7183]

Yeah, good luck paying thousands of dollars for one that might be in shitty condition. But hey, it's your money, we're not going to stop you.

[@lez2957]

@@adamhernandez7183 yeah

[@your-hermajestyismypronoun7372]

Both Yokoi and Iwata left this world way too soon. Outstandingly creative personalities.

[@danwong2191]

Awesome video. Such a trip down memory lane for me. I had mario bombs away, dk hockey and thief in garden but this video reminded me of their names, this was like 30+ years ago mind you. I'm definitely going to buy this now.

[@subzippo]

11:57 Is that Sawaii Miyuu, TV's Sailor Moon?

[@LK-tl1wr]

Got lucky this morning when to garage sale, it started yesterday. It wasn’t much left at all. When to the basement look into a junk box. Found a DR-160 Nintendo Climber clean it up put need batteries I was very surprised it runs and work like champ. Almost in mint condition it was amazing it wasn’t all scratches up. It was buried under bunch of junk’s.

[@JVeg199X]

Well done. Though none of the Game & Watch games use VFDs. Color was achieved through innovation in one of the key components that make LCD screens work: polarizing filters. Similarly, the Super Color series also uses special polarizing filters to colorize the LCD characters. In fact, you can see what a Super Color screen looks like without color by viewing it through another polarizing filter held at the correct angle!

[@nintendolife]

The tabletop / Panaroma G&W models use VFD.

[@chris_h1990]

I hope they do release a Zelda version next year. I love that Nintendo has been re-releasing limited editions of some of their classic consoles like the NES, SNES, and now the Game & Watch. I really hope they continue this trend with more limited editions of the Game & Watch. Maybe one day they will even release classic editions of all the Game Boy's and the Nintendo 64.

[@rafaelperello6603]

Excellent video! Congratulations!

[@tambias]

I am very proud to say that i have the whole game & watch collection.67 in total.this includes the green/purple judge and the f1 famicom super mario bros.This includes different variants.time out toss up and g&w ball

[@markrotondella4689]

I wish the would make a new game and watch console with a MIP display. So pure 2 bit black or nothing display but they can generate whatever and super long battery life. Casio has pretty complicated watches with these displays and they run for a couple of years off one battery.

[@Christophersanchez1326]

I downloaded Cement factory to my dsi then passed it to my dsiXL.. 🎃 I remember watching all the them play behind glass at the jeweler counter back in the day.

[@goldenprimus]

What they (Nintendo) needs to do is release a Game & Watch Classic. Which would have every single screen Game & Watch game that they could put on it (Sadly no Micky Popeye or Snoopy). And every game that had a G&W Gallery update could have the updated version included. I'd pay a lot for one of those.

[@Sensorix_Boost]

I hope they come up with more game & watches

[@ubahni]

foreshadowing

[@SaintNicholasOfficial]

Presto Magica Slanted, Your wish is now Granted!

[@glaciiz]

Only true Nintendo Nerds would know this. Great Video NL! Hope you guys managed to cop hold of one of these Mario 35th anniversary G&W consoles! (I did.)

[@SuperNerdyBros01]

My Dad Grew Up With The Game & Watch But I Didn’t. Then All Of a Sudden! On Christmas Day, I Got The Limited Edition Super Mario Game & Watch! I Tried It Out And I Love It!

[@BluntmanEXE]

If Nintendo were to release a Legend of Zelda Game & Watch......I'd buy it.

[@turtleanton6539]

Nice

[@christopherhughes3895]

Brings back great memories. I actually owned DKjr & SMB Game & Watches back in 1987! Only thing that was equally as cool (or cooler 😏), was my LoZ gamewatch I got for X-Mas 1988.

[@pauljennings8432]

That was a great 'game & watch' history lesson, I'm looking really forward to receiving my Super Mario 35th G&W handheld soon. Two weeks to go!

[@GamingDelight]

Reply to 13:03-- Donkey Kong's 40th is also coming in 2021. Maybe there will be a new Game & Watch for that game.

[@Straigo]

Picking up the Zelda G&W today.

[@styleemusic]

These devices are truly well made beautiful pieces of electronic consumer art, I had to grab two, had not seen one since the mid 90s.

[@Rgoid]

AVGN disagrees with you.

[@f2pscaper4lyfe93]

I wish they would make Game and Watch releases for all the various Nintendo flagship franchises, with their 8 bit games. Donkey Kong, Metroid, Kid Icarus Kirby, Wario, and their various games like Punch Out!, Excitebike, and Tetris (Gameboy).

[@dr.oliebol]

I bought Snoopy new in a music store (1988) close to where I lived; the only point of sale for Nintendo Game & Watch. Now waiting for the mail man to deliver the Game & Watch Anniversary I ordered. :)

[@bigt4135]

Great video, my Mario game and watch is in the mail. I can’t wait to play it.

[@RayMerkler]

I spent sooooo much time as a little kid in the 80s “playing calculator”. I cannot put in words how amused I am that portable gaming exists because of it.

[@job5656]

wow yet another history of video from nintendo life first the panel de pon video and now this NICE

[@Phoenix-lq9bm]

I'd love to have Metroid 1 and 2 on a game and watch, and maybe convert Helmet into a Metroid theme

[@StephenAlexWalker]

Showing love to the Game Boy Camera was a deep cut 😊

[@oldcrowboy]

I actually have one. Donkey Kong version. It was a gift from my grandpa. Sadly it's gone now.

[@samfisher5056]

Great retrospective, it's nice to remember the past to see how it begin

[@catluvr2]

It's funny how often Popeye shows up, considering the story behind Donkey Kong's creation.

[@pavankumar-ob1wz]

Are they still producing them, I need Nintendo "snoopy tennis" and "fire attack". Those are my favourite. If anyone knows where i can get them please reply me with the link.