{"id":1819,"date":"2021-01-07T10:24:58","date_gmt":"2021-01-07T10:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mariomayhem.com\/bowsers_blog\/?p=1819"},"modified":"2021-01-13T11:46:10","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T11:46:10","slug":"the-game-watch-super-mario-bros-is-nothing-but-a-beautiful-collectors-item","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mariomayhem.com\/bowsers_blog\/index.php\/2021\/01\/07\/the-game-watch-super-mario-bros-is-nothing-but-a-beautiful-collectors-item\/","title":{"rendered":"The Game & Watch Super Mario Bros. is nothing but a beautiful collector’s item"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nintendo continues its celebration of the 35th anniversary of Super \nMario Bros. by bringing out the Game & Watch. The object is nice and\n well finished. But its usefulness remains limited, beyond collection \nand nostalgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The timing is sometimes oddly random. While \nMicrosoft launched its super-powerful Xbox Series X on November 10, 2020\n and Sony released its PlayStation 5 on the 19th, Nintendo came in \nbetween with the Game & Watch Super Mario Bros. On the one hand, we \nhave two new-generation consoles that promise mountains and wonders, and\n on the other, a small, modest object that will bring back memories for \nthe oldest of us. Without really wanting to, the Japanese firm is \nresponding to the machines of tomorrow with a product bearing the mark \nof the past. For ten times less, of course. The comparison will end \nthere. We can easily compare it to online casinos, how they evolved to \nbe able to offer real entertainment now with real dealers and live \ncasinos, something that was impossible some years ago. But some online \ncasinos remain offering old fashion and traditional casino games to give\n the players an experience of traditional games on a computer, such as \nslots for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More concretely, Nintendo is launching this new\n Game & Watch as part of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. \nand in the wake of the Lego range, the compilation of 3D games on \nSwitch, among other initiatives paying tribute to the moustachioed \nplumber. This Game & Watch is a paradox in itself, since it never \nhosted the Super Mario Bros. video game – which appeared on the Nintendo\n in 1985. Ancestors of handheld consoles, Game & Watch were \nelectronic games originally designed to keep Japanese adults busy during\n their daily journeys. The first model, launched in 1980, included the \njuggling game Ball – present in this anniversary version (for the wink).\n Here’s the history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A NICE OBJECT AND THAT’S ABOUT IT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Esthetically,\n the Game & Watch 2020 edition is a beautiful object. Starting from \nthe packaging, it is clear that Nintendo does not wish to betray its \ntreasure of yesteryear. The Game & Watch is packed in a cardboard \nbox whose size has not changed, dressed in a transparent plastic sheath \nthat reveals overprinted elements. When the box is opened, the label \nreads “Special thanks to you” surrounded by Mario and Luigi. Good thing \nNintendo has kept the measurements of the original Game & Watch, \ni.e. a small size (our iPhone 12 is larger) – easy to slip into a \npocket, one of the arguments in its favour. The multinational has also \nkept the colours: this emblematic red and this front with a beautiful \nbrushed gold effect (for the anecdote, the first Game & Watch was \nsilver). Nevertheless, we can deplore the removal of the crutch, which \nremoves the use of this Game & Watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, the Game & \nWatch includes a nice – but useless – clock mode. Its screen with a \ndiagonal of just over two inches displays the time and animations \nrelated to Mario levels (you can scroll through them) and according to \nthe time of day. This could have been handy if the console didn’t go \ninto sleep mode after three minutes, unless it is left plugged ad vitam \naeternam. Except that even in this slightly more energy-consuming \nconfiguration, the absence of the original stand prevents the Game &\n Watch from being held, too thin to stand up without help. Alas, \nNintendo has also removed the clock function, which would have provided a\n long-term use for this Game & Watch – past the pleasure of \n(re)discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A POTENTIAL (SMALL) CHRISTMAS GIFT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore,\n the Game & Watch is more like a small handheld console, which \noffers access to three games: Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 2 \nand Ball. While the buttons and the crosshair respond very well, the \nsmall size does not predispose the Game & Watch to long sessions. \nThe most nostalgic may be delighted to take it out from time to time to \nenjoy another ten minutes. This is the only playful interest of this \nGame & Watch, thought of above all as a collector’s item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note\n that Nintendo has stuffed this Game & Watch with numerous easter \neggs, some more obvious than others. For example, in the clock menu, if \nyou press A for a few seconds, you will launch the song “Draw a Mario” \nwhich will teach you how to… draw a Mario in a few seconds. In Ball, \nthe same manoeuvre will turn Mario into Luigi before starting the game. \nAnd in Super Mario games? You’ll have infinite lives – handy to advance \nmore serenely. By pressing A and B at the same time, the time in the \nhome menu will blink (yes, it’s no use). There are others, which we will\n let you discover for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, this Game & Watch \ncelebrating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. will certainly \ndelight those who have already had a Game & Watch in their hands. \nThe others will see it as a nice object to unpack and have fun with for a\n few minutes every now and then. In short, it’s a potential (small) \nChristmas present for players who have been fed up with Nintendo’s first\n video game emotions. No more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Used sources for information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n