Game & Watch
- This article is about the Game & Watch system. For the character of the Game & Watch games with a similar name, and named "Game & Watch" in Japan, see Mr. Game & Watch.
- Not to be confused with Nelsonic Game Watch.
The Game & Watch series is a series of handheld games developed by Nintendo from 1980 to 1991. Each Game & Watch had its own game built in, in addition to a clock and an alarm. The units are based on a 4-bit CPU from the Sharp SM5xx family, and they include a small ROM and RAM area and an LCD screen driver circuit.[1] Some of the titles available in Game & Watch format were games as random as Ball, a simple juggling game, to well-known games such as Donkey Kong Jr. The Game & Watch was Nintendo's earliest product to be very successful,[2] with the series selling a combined 43.4 million units worldwide.[3]
Most Game & Watch titles have two modes: Game A and Game B. Game B is usually a faster, more difficult version of Game A, but in some titles, such as Flagman and Bomb Sweeper, Game B is slightly different from Game A. In a few others, such as Judge and Boxing, Game B features a two-player mode. The titles Climber, Balloon Fight, and Super Mario Bros. do not have a Game B.
The Game & Watch games normally become harder as the player progresses, but the gameplay usually slows down every 100 points the player receives. The games usually end when the player receives three misses (generally meaning "lives that are lost"). In most games, misses can be removed if the player reaches a certain number of points; in some games, doing so with no misses will increase the score either temporarily or until a miss is made (a period called "Chance Time").
On September 3, 2020, 29 years after the original Game & Watch series' discontinuation and as part of the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo announced Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., a full-color screen Game & Watch system featuring ports of Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels as well as a Mario-themed version of Ball, set for a limited release on November 13, 2020.
Games
Mario Game & Watch games
Four of these were re-released in the Mini Classic series.
Game & Watch Gallery series
- Main article: Game & Watch Gallery (series)
These games are Game Boy-era ports of the classic Game & Watch titles, most of which are also given "Modern" versions featuring Mario characters. The "Classic" versions remove the timekeeping functions from the original games, in order to allow the player to accomplish the compilations' goal of getting the highest score possible. There were plans for a Game & Watch Gallery series of e-Reader cards, but these did not surface due to the abrupt cancellation of the e-Reader overseas due to low sales.[citation needed]
- Game Boy Gallery (Europe and Australia only; not to be confused with the Japanese name for Game & Watch Gallery)
- Game & Watch Gallery (Game Boy Gallery 2 in Australia)
- Game & Watch Gallery 2 (Game Boy Gallery 3 in Australia)
- Game & Watch Gallery 3 (Game Boy Gallery 4 in Australia)
- Game & Watch Gallery 4 (Game Boy Gallery Advance in Australia)
Games with a Mario-themed "Modern" version
In addition to all of the games listed below, the Mario Game & Watch games also reappear, with their "Modern" versions featuring updated graphics and gameplay.
Game & Watch Collection
- Main article: Game & Watch Collection
Game & Watch Collection is a Nintendo DS game that was released exclusively on Club Nintendo. It is a compilation of three Game & Watch games, one of which is Donkey Kong. A follow-up titled Game & Watch Collection 2 was also released, though it does not feature any Mario titles.
Alarm function
Starting from Gold Series' Manhole, the Game & Watch titles started to have an alarm function, which was accessible only by gently pressing the ALARM switch with a sharp-pointed instrument. Alarm time can be set by pressing the left buttons (hour set) and the right buttons (minute set). Games with two buttons in the same side use only the top button for time setting. Here is a complete list of Game & Watch alarm indicators:
| Image | Name | Game | Action at alarm time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Manhole MH-06 Bell2.png | Alarm lady | Manhole (Gold Series) | Swing bell | Upper left corner |
| File:Helmet CN-07 Bell2.png | Alarm construction worker | Helmet | Swing bell | Upper right corner |
| File:Lion LN-08 Bell2.png | Alarm bear | Lion | Swing bell | Upper left corner |
| File:Parachute PR-21 Bell ontest.png | Alarm monkey | Parachute | Swing bell | Left palm |
| File:Octopus OC-22 Bell2.png | Alarm baby octopus | Octopus | Whistle trumpet | Upper right corner |
| File:Chef FP-24 bell1.png | Alarm kettle | Chef | Whistle smoke | Left stove |
| File:Egg EG-26 bell1.gif | Alarm bell | Egg | Be swung by the hen | Beside the hen |
| File:Fire FR-27 Bell2.gif | Alarm fireman | Fire (Wide Screen) | Swing bell | Between ambulance and miss counter |
| File:Turtle Bridge TL-28 Bell2.gif | Alarm crab | Turtle Bridge | Swing bell | Between difficulty indicators |
| File:Fire Attack ID-29 Bell2.gif | Alarm cowboy | Fire Attack | Sound bugle | Below miss counter |
| File:Oil Panic OP-51 Bell2.gif | Alarm policeman | Oil Panic | Swing bell | Below lower screen's miss counter |
 |
Mini Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong | Jump and swing bell | Below the difficulty indicators |
 |
Alarm cat | Green House | Be stung by a bee | Beside the ladder |
 |
Alarm bell | Donkey Kong II | Be stricken by Mario | Beside leftmost lock |
 |
Alarm bell | Mario Bros. | Ring | Under time/score |
| File:Rain Shower PL-57 Bell1.gif | Alarm dog | Rain Shower | Nod head | Beside lower right clothesline |
| File:Lifeboat TC-58 Bell2.gif | Alarm man | Life Boat | Pour water from bucket | Under time/score |
| File:Bombsweeper BD-62 Bell2.gif | Alarm chicken | Bomb Sweeper | Nod head | Beside difficulty indicators |
| File:Safebuster JB-63 Bell1.gif | Alarm bell | Safe Buster | Flash | Above difficulty indicators |
 |
Musical notes | Donkey Kong Jr. (Panorama Screen & Table Top series) | Be whistled by Mario | Below miss counter |
 |
Alarm driver | Mario's Cement Factory (Table Top) | Ring bell | Beside upward lift section |
 |
Alarm Monkey | Mario's Bombs Away | Swing bell | Below time score |
 |
Alarm bell | Donkey Kong Circus | Swing | Below time/score |
 |
Alarm bell | Donkey Kong Jr. (New Wide Sceen) | Be stricken by Mario | Under Donkey Kong |
 |
Alarm bell | Mario's Cement Factory (New Wide Screen) | Swing | Beside upward lift section |
| File:Manhole NH-103 Bell2.gif | Alarm woman | Manhole (New Wide Screen) | Swing bell | Upper left corner |
| File:Tropical Fish TF-104 Bell2.gif | Alarm cat | Tropical Fish | Swing bell | Between miss counter and time/score |
 |
Alarm Koopa | Super Mario Bros. | Nod head and spew fire | Upper left corner |
| File:Climber DR-106 Bell2.gif | Alarm bug | Climber | Swing bell | Below time/score |
 |
Alarm Koopa Troopa | Mario the Juggler | Swing bell | Beside the pipe |
| File:Spitball BU-201 Bell.gif | Alarm bell | Spitball Sparky | Flash | Upper left corner |
| File:BX-301 Bell1.gif | Alarm bell | Boxing | Flash | Upper right corner |
 |
Alarm bell | Donkey Kong 3 | Flash | Beside Player 1's miss and spray value counters |
 |
Alarm referee | Donkey Kong Hockey | Ring bell | Beside Player 1's score |
Appearances in the Mario franchise
This section is under construction. Therefore, please excuse its informal appearance while it is being worked on. We hope to have it completed as soon as possible.
Paper Mario franchise
Super Paper Mario
In Super Paper Mario, the player can access two post-game level areas, the Flipside Pit of 100 Trials and the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials. Both dungeons are modelled after the Game & Watch's screen, with black walls, floors, and doors, and faded silhouettes of said objects in places they currently aren't occupying. Additionally, in the Flopside Pit of 100 Trials specifically, stronger variants of the game's enemies appear with no visual distinctions from their normal counterparts, except they are pitch black, similar to characters that appear on Game & Watch screens.
Wario franchise
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
In WarioWare: Smooth Moves, 9-Volt holds up a Donkey Kong double-screen Game & Watch.
Wario: Master of Disguise
In Wario: Master of Disguise, there is a treasure based on the Game & Watch called the Game & Watch 9000.
Super Smash Bros. series
Starting with Super Smash Bros. Melee of the Super Smash Bros. series, Mr. Game & Watch has made an appearance as a playable character, representing various games as his attack moves. The stages Flat Zone, Flat Zone 2, and Flat Zone X are inspired by the handhelds.
Trophy information from Super Smash Bros. Melee
| Name | Image | Game / Moves | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game & Watch | 
|
Game & Watch 1980 |
This stage of Super Smash Bros. Melee takes its motif from the Game & Watch series. It incorporates settings from Oil Panic, Helmet, and Manhole, and it's sure to send a wave of nostalgia crashing over old-school gamers. If you want to truly reproduce the Game & Watch experience, try playing this unique level in Fixed-Camera Mode. |
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Trophies (both versions)
| Name | Image | Appears In (Wii U version only) |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire |  |
G&W Fire (7/1980) | Many fans of modern handheld games will fondly remember the classic Game & Watch games they played years ago. Save people from a burning building using a trampoline, bouncing them to the waiting ambulance and safety. |
| Lion |  |
G&W Lion (4/1981) | Back in the day, there were a lot of kids into the Game & Watch series. Quite a few adults as well, honestly. This game was a popular pick, with players controlling two zookeepers as they tried to keep the lions from escaping. The built-in clock was great for keeping track of your time spent playing! |
| Chef |  |
G&W Chef (9/1981) | Back in the days of the Game & Watch and the early NES years, there were a lot of games with short and simple titles - and at just four letters and one syllable, Chef is a prime example. It's all about flipping food on a frying pan without dropping any on the floor. Whether any of that food ever actually gets served to customers is a mystery... |
| Oil Panic |  |
G&W Oil Panic (5/1982) | The Game & Watch Multi Screen series is the big, big brother of the Nintendo DS. One classic title was Oil Panic, which puts you in charge of a petrol station that's sprung a leak. As oil drips down on the upper screen, you've got to catch it in buckets on the lower screen or risk an angry customer with a face full of oil! |
Trophies (Wii U version)
| Name | Image | Appears In | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helmet | 
|
G&W Helmet (2/1981) | Better than a regular ol' watch is Game & Watch. One of the classic titles is Helmet. Move from left to right, avoiding the falling tools. If you get hit, you'll fall down and lose your helmet. What kind of helmet falls off after only one hit?! Good thing this game is so fun you'll overlook that. |
| Manhole | 
|
G&W Manhole (1/1981) | No scrolling, only one stage, only a few sounds, and the age of 3D was nothing more than a twinkle in someone's eye. Nevertheless, this game was a blast at the time. In the Game & Watch title Manhole, you move a manhole cover back and forth so that the pedestrians can safely cross the road. What a simple yet fun game! |
Gallery
- Game & Watch.jpg
A variety of games (Donkey Kong Jr. (Panorama Screen), Mario Bros., Mario's Bombs Away, and Snoopy Tennis)
- Tabletops.jpg
Table Top games (Mario's Cement Factory, Popeye, and Snoopy)
Silver
- Ball-G'nW.png
- FlagmanOriginal.jpg
- MT-03 Game Front.jpg
- Fire Silver G&W.jpg
Fire (Silver)
- Game watch judge.jpg
Gold
- Manhole.jpg
Manhole (Gold)
- CN-07 Game Front.jpg
- LN-08 Game Front.jpg
Wide Screen
- PR-21 Game1 Front.jpg
- OctopusGame.png
- Chef-G'n-W.png
- Eggoriginalunit.jpg
- Game watch fire widescreen.jpg
Fire (Wide Screen)
- TL-28 Game1 Front.jpg
- G&W Fire Attack.jpg
Multi Screen
- Oil panic.jpg
- LP-57 Game Open.jpg
- TC-58 Game Open.jpg
- BD-62 Game Open.jpg
- Safe Buster Console.jpg
Table Top
The Table Top version of Mario's Cement Factory
Donkey Kong Jr. (Table Top)
Panorama Screen
New Wide Screen
Donkey Kong Jr. (New Wide Screen)
The New Wide Screen version of Mario's Cement Factory
- Manhole G&W.jpg
Manhole (New Wide Screen)
- Tropical Fish console.jpeg
Super Mario Bros. (New Wide Screen)
- Climber Game & Watch.jpg
Climber (New Wide Screen)
Super Color
- SpitballSparky.png
Micro vs. System
- Boxing BX-301 Game Front.jpg
Crystal Screen
Super Mario Bros. (Crystal Screen)
- Climber DR-802 Game Front.jpg
Climber (Crystal Screen)
DSiWare
- Game and Watch Ball 2 (DSiWare).jpg
- Game and Watch Chef Shop 02.jpg
- Game and Watch Helmet Shop 02.jpg
- Judge DSiWare Gameplay.png
- Manhole DSiWare Gameplay.jpg
- Vermin.jpg
External links
References
- ^ MAME emulator source code, retrieved 3/21/2019
- ^ Iwata Asks: Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary, retrieved 3/10/2019
- ^ Iwata Asks: Game & Watch, retrieved 3/11/2019
| Game & Watch games | ||
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario franchise | Donkey Kong (1982, MS) • Mario Bros. (1983, MS) • Mario's Cement Factory (1983, TT/NWS) • Mario's Bombs Away (1983, PS) • Donkey Kong Hockey (1984, MVS) • Super Mario Bros. (1986, CrS | 1987, Sp | 1988, NWS) • Mario the Juggler (1991, NWS) • Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (2020, CoS) | |
| Donkey Kong franchise | Donkey Kong (1982, MS) • Donkey Kong Jr. (1982, NWS | 1983, TT & PS) • Donkey Kong II (1983, MS) • Donkey Kong 3 (1984, MVS) • Donkey Kong Circus (1984, PS) • Donkey Kong Hockey (1984, MVS) | |
| Miscellaneous | Green House (1982, MS) | |
| MS: Multi Screen • TT: Table Top • PS: Panorama Screen • NWS: New Wide Screen • MVS: Micro VS. System • CrS: Crystal Screen • Sp: Special • CoS: Color Screen | ||
