It’s small. It’s gold. It feels like a piece of 1980s jewelry that somehow fell through a rift in time and landed on your desk. Honestly, when Nintendo first announced The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch back in 2021 for the series’ 35th anniversary, a lot of people just shrugged it off as another piece of plastic nostalgia bait. We’ve seen the NES Classic, the SNES Classic, and those tiny arcade cabinets you find in the checkout aisle at Walmart. But this thing is different. It isn't just a toy. It’s basically a love letter to the era when Link had pink hair and nobody knew what a "Z-target" was.
Nintendo has a weird habit of making things you didn't know you needed until you're actually holding them.
You’ve got a 2.36-inch color screen that is surprisingly crisp. It's bright. It makes the neon greens of the original Hyrule look better than they ever did on a fuzzy CRT television in 1987. But let's get real for a second: nobody is buying this purely for the hardware specs. You’re buying it because it fits in that tiny pocket of your jeans you never use. It’s the ultimate "waiting for the bus" machine.
What’s actually inside this golden box?
If you're expecting every Zelda game ever made, you’re gonna be disappointed. This isn’t a Steam Deck. However, what they picked is kinda perfect for the specific vibe of the Game & Watch series. You get the original The Legend of Zelda, which is the game that started the whole "get lost in a forest and burn every bush" craze. Then there’s Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Most people hate this game because it’s brutally hard and weirdly experimental, but it’s actually a masterpiece if you give it more than ten minutes of your time.
Then comes the heavy hitter: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.
This is the original Game Boy version, not the shiny Switch remake with the toy-like graphics. Playing this on a screen this small feels... right. It feels like the way it was meant to be played back in the early 90s, just without the need for a worm light or four AA batteries that die right as you get to the Eagle's Tower.
There's also a version of the classic Game & Watch game Vermin, but Link is the star. It’s a simple "hit the moles" game, but it’s addictive in that way only 80s arcade games can be. You just want to beat your high score. It’s mindless fun.
The weird little details that matter
The thing about Nintendo is they love "Easter eggs." If you leave the device alone, it turns into a digital clock. But it’s not just a clock. Link is actually running around on the screen, fighting enemies in real-time based on what time it is. If you pick it up at 3:00 PM, he’s doing something different than he was at 10:00 AM.
🔗 Read more: Among Us Spider-Man: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With These Mods
There’s a secret "Timer" mode too. You can set a countdown, and it turns into a mini-game where you try to kill as many enemies as possible before the time runs out. It’s these tiny touches that make The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch feel like more than just a cheap emulator in a fancy shell.
It feels like someone at Nintendo actually cared.
The buttons are mushy in a good way. They have that specific "membrane" feel that the original NES controllers had. If you grew up in that era, your thumbs will have muscle memory for this. The D-pad is tiny, yeah, but it's remarkably precise. I’ve played through the entire first Zelda game on this thing and didn't feel like the hardware was fighting me.
Why collectors are still hunting these down
Look, the 35th anniversary has come and gone. Technically, Nintendo stopped "officially" shipping these a while ago, but they are still everywhere if you know where to look. They aren't expensive—yet. But they will be.
Historically, these limited-run Nintendo handhelds become the "remember that?" items of the next decade. Think about the Game Boy Micro. Nobody wanted it when it launched because the DS was out. Now? You’ll pay a fortune for a mint-condition Micro. The Zelda Game & Watch is following that exact same trajectory. It’s a niche product for a niche audience, which is exactly why it’s cool.
Also, it's actually practical. It charges via USB-C. No more hunting for proprietary cables. You can plug it into your phone charger and be back in Hyrule in twenty minutes.
It isn't perfect, obviously
Nothing is. Let's be honest about the flaws. The screen is small. If you have bad eyesight or you're used to a 7-inch OLED Switch screen, this might feel like you're squinting at a postage stamp.
💡 You might also like: Why the Among the Sleep Mom is Still Gaming's Most Uncomfortable Horror Twist
The sound is also pretty "tinny." It’s a tiny speaker on the side of a plastic shell. You aren't getting Dolby Atmos here. You’re getting bleeps and bloops. But again, that’s the point. It’s supposed to sound like 1989.
Another weird thing? No kickstand. The Mario Game & Watch didn't have one either, but they included a little cardboard stand in the box. This time, Nintendo didn't even give us the cardboard. If you want to use it as a desk clock, you basically have to lean it against a coffee mug or buy a 3D-printed stand off Etsy. It's a minor gripe, but for $50, a little piece of plastic on the back would have been nice.
Why this beats playing on a phone
You can emulate Zelda on your phone. We all know that. You can probably play it in a browser window while you're supposed to be working. But playing on a touchscreen is a miserable experience. Your thumbs cover half the screen, and you have zero tactile feedback.
The Legend of Zelda Game & Watch gives you that physical connection. There’s something about the "click" of the D-pad and the "squish" of the A and B buttons that makes the game feel more real. It turns gaming back into a physical hobby rather than just another app on your rectangle of glass and metal.
Plus, there’s no notifications.
No emails. No "urgent" Slack messages from your boss. No Instagram pings. It’s just you, a green elf, and a bunch of monsters in a labyrinth. In 2026, that kind of disconnected experience is actually a luxury.
Getting the most out of your device
If you just picked one up, don't just play the games. Explore the clock.
📖 Related: Appropriate for All Gamers NYT: The Real Story Behind the Most Famous Crossword Clue
- Try holding the A button on the title screen of the original Zelda. It gives you "Infinite Hearts." It’s basically a built-in cheat code for people who don't want to struggle.
- In Zelda II, you can do the same thing to unlock all your spells and stats from the start.
- Look at the back. There’s a faint Triforce logo that glows when the screen is at full brightness.
These are the things that make it a collector's item. It's not just a ROM player; it's a piece of hardware design.
Honestly, the best way to enjoy it is to treat it like a fidget toy. Keep it on your desk. When you're on a long, boring Zoom call where your presence isn't really required, pick it up. Grind for some rupees. Find a secret cave. It’s the perfect "in-between" device.
The final verdict on the Zelda Game & Watch
If you’re a Zelda fan, this is a no-brainer. It’s a piece of history you can actually use. If you’re a casual gamer who just wants to play the classics, it’s still a great buy, though you might find the Switch Online versions more convenient for long sessions.
But for the sheer "cool factor"? The Game & Watch wins every time. It’s the kind of thing you’ll still have on your shelf twenty years from now, and it’ll still work. It doesn't rely on a server. It doesn't need an internet connection. It just needs a little bit of electricity and a hero to save the princess.
Next Steps for New Owners:
- Check your firmware: Make sure the device is charging properly; some early units had issues with deep-discharge if left sitting for months.
- Unlock the secrets: Hold the "A" button for five seconds on the title screen of The Legend of Zelda to start with full hearts—perfect for a stress-free run.
- Find a display solution: Since there’s no kickstand, look for a small acrylic business card holder; it fits the device perfectly for use as a desk clock.
- Save your spot: Remember that you can create a "suspend point" by simply switching to the clock or turning the power off. The game will wait for you exactly where you left Link.
The legacy of the series is huge, and while we all wait for the next massive open-world epic, there’s something deeply satisfying about going back to the beginning on a device that fits in the palm of your hand. It reminds us that at its core, Zelda isn't about the graphics or the scope—it's about the adventure. And adventure is even better when it’s gold-plated and fits in your pocket.