Nintendo's iconic plumber, Mario, is celebrating his 35th Anniversary in full swing with an array of various products and games to appease fans of all ages. Whether it's the Super Mario Bros. 35 or Super Mario 3D All-Stars, there is certainly something for everyone to be found within this announcement. One of the more curious announcements was the return of Nintendo's flagship handheld series, the Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros.
The Game and Watch was a handheld series released in 1980. Each handheld came with its own singular game that was played on an LCD screen and would double as a clock, which is where the handheld got its name. Ending their run in 1991, fans have long considered the Game and Watch a relic of the past, only to be remembered through nostalgia or by means of the handheld's minimalist mascot Mr. Game and Watch, a fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series. But with this new release and a new trailer, things are about to change.
A new trailer depicts a brief history of the console line as well as a slew of features to be found within the console upon release. These features include: the original Super Mario Bros. and its sequel, Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, as well as a new spin on an iconic Game and Watch title, Ball, which this time around features Mario as the juggler. The clock features also makes a return with a Mario themed clock which Nintendo teases 35 "little touches" to be found, giving fans much to discover while they toy around with their device.
On the hardware side, the new Game and Watch includes a sleek design featuring a LCD screen with bright visuals and the classic control pad for maximum control. There is also a rechargeable battery with a USB connector, although Nintendo has not announced how long a full charge will last. While the size of the Game and Watch hasn't been explicitly divulged, the trailer depicts a handful of people pulling the device from their pockets and displaying them. It appears the Game and Watch will retain its standard size.
The Game and Watch has always had a strong nostalgic foothold within the hearts of Nintendo fans and this release is sure to please old and young fans alike. With two returning classics and a spin on an old-favorite, there seems to be a little something for everybody with the new Game and Watch.
Although, this new release might seem like a simple cash grab to some. The $50 price point seems a bit hefty to what basically amounts to a few games well over thirty years old and a clock might be a bit meaningless with everyone in the world having a phone in their pocket that does the same thing. Furthermore, the limited release for many of the announcements has soured fan hype. Nevertheless, this release is certainly intriguing.
The Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros. will have a limited release on November 13, 2020.