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Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo is relaunching the Game & Watch
7.9.2020
Revision: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Super Mario is back on the Game & Watch. Nintendo's new retro console is based on a 40-year-old blueprint. The digital watch and Game Boy combination is sure to appeal to collectors.
Mario is celebrating his 35th birthday and the classic Super Mario Bros. for the NES is also 30 years old. This is reason enough for Nintendo to celebrate their heroes with a new retro mini console. The Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. is a copy of the very first console that Nintendo launched 40 years ago. Just like the original, there's an integrated digital watch. This time, instead of one, there are two pre-installed games: «Super Mario Bros.» – including the Lost Levels – and an updated version of «Game & Watch: Ball» for the new handheld with an 80s Mario.
The good old days
Along with introducing colour, Nintendo has also updated the original digital watch. The new Game & Watch console has a timer and is designed in the style of a Mario level with numerous figures and blocks. The burgundy and gold tones emulate Super Mario Bros. and its colour palette. Like the original controller of the first NES Nintendo launched, this one also has a cross-shaped D-pad and A and B buttons. There are also Game, Time and Pause/Set buttons which can be used to set the watch and timer.
The screen measures just 2.36 inches. It's a colour LCD screen, which wasn't yet available for the original. The built-in battery promises around eight hours of gaming. The system can be charged with a classic USB-C cable. The mini console is expected to be available from 13 November 2020 at around 60 euros or francs. However, this is just a rough estimate by the fan community, as Nintendo is yet to announce a definitive price. Nintendo also says that the Game & Watch will not be made in the long term, which implies that it will be a limited edition and a collector's item.
For collectors and devotees
Who's the handheld device for? It's clear that all Nintendo, Super Mario and retro fans will have to have this. Although Super Mario Bros. is included with both online Switch membership and the almost equally expensive new editions of the NES and the SNES Classic Mini, collectors will be battling it out for a Game & Watch. Along with the fact that Nintendo wants to give Super Mario and itself a birthday present, there are indications that the Japanese firm wants to get one over on competitor Sega. The latter has launched the Game Gear Micro (in German) and the Astro City Mini (in German). As Sony's Playstation 5 (in German) and Microsoft's Xbox Series X will be raking it in this year, Nintendo is also looking to grab a slice of 2020's console pie.
I don't know if and when you can order the hotly anticipated Game & Watch from Digitec Galaxus. Our category management team will do everything it can to find a few of them to make sure that you don't miss out on the retro handheld and you can order it from us easily. We'll let you know as soon as it's ready and available. If you don't want to miss out on this or other retro gaming or tech news, follow me by clicking on the «Follow author» button on my profile.
Update (8.9.20 at 8:45 a.m.): We’ve been overwhelmed by orders! As Nintendo will probably only be able to supply us with a relatively small number of products, we can’t take any further orders for the time being. We’ll keep you posted and will let you know as soon as anything changes. Watch this space and thanks for your patience.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.