Celebrating 40 Years of The Legend of Zelda: 100 Unique Play Styles, Yet I’m Sticking with Game and Watch

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The original Legend of Zelda is nearing its 40th anniversary, and as a proud owner of various retro consoles, I have plenty of ways to revisit Hyrule. While some gatekeepers insist that the only true way to experience it is on an NES, and purists might suggest tracking down a Nintendo Famicom Disc System, I often find myself reaching for the Game and Watch from a few years back.

This isn’t my first time discussing the Zelda Game and Watch remake from 2021, and it likely won’t be the last. It’s everything I could want from a Game Boy Classic Edition. With the 40th anniversary approaching, it feels fitting to highlight what could be the best retro handheld for experiencing Link’s first adventure, especially since it might soon disappear from shelves.

Currently, the Zelda Game and Watch is still available for $69.95, but it’s technically discontinued. It’s always a surprise to see it still in stock at retailers, as it seems like a perfect collectible for fans across generations. However, its price has risen since I last mentioned its surprising availability, and we’re down to just one listing.

The Legend of Zelda Game and Watch | $69.95 This collectible handheld is now pricier due to its discontinued status. While I’d prefer to pay under $50, grabbing it now before it potentially sells out during the series’ 40th Anniversary might be a smart move. It’s still available directly from Nintendo in the UK, so check it out if you’re in that region.

UK: £44.99 at Nintendo

I’ll admit, I’m not thrilled about the Zelda Game and Watch now costing just under $70. Sure, it’s still cheaper than some Switch 2 games, but it’s a tougher sell since you can access the original Legend of Zelda, Adventure of Link, and Link’s Awakening through the Online Expansion Pack. If you’ve just subscribed for the new Virtual Boy collection, spending on a handheld just for those games might seem silly, but it remains my preferred way to play.

For one, the Game and Watch is one of the most portable handhelds available. The original was designed before the Game Boy and its bulky competitors, making it a more pocket-friendly option. It fits easily into even the smallest pockets, allowing you to enjoy Nintendo’s adventures wherever you go.

The Zelda Game and Watch is a faithful homage to ’80s handhelds, incorporating the best features from various models. Instead of the dual-screen design of the original Zelda portable that inspired the Nintendo DS, it opts for the slimmer rectangle shape of the first “Ball” version. It includes the classic d-pad and two rubber buttons, along with utility toggles for game selection, time, pause, start, and reset, all without adding unnecessary bulk, resulting in a neat 2.36-inch package.

At first glance, it looks like an ’80s relic, but once you hit that power button, you’re greeted with a surprisingly vibrant visual experience. The 320 x 240 LCD screen on the Zelda Game and Watch is impressive, especially considering it originally sold for $49.99 / £44.99, delivering bright, sharp pixels without the light bleed and ghosting issues common in many budget handhelds.

Aesthetically, the Zelda Game and Watch is stunning. It captures the essence of Nintendo’s first handheld beautifully, with charming details like the glowing Triforce logo on the back that brings a smile to my face. I also appreciate that it manages to fit USB-C charging and a 525 mAh battery into a 0.5-inch frame, especially since it can last over a year on standby with a single charge.

Before I get too sentimental about this Zelda handheld, I do have some criticisms. For one, I wish it included a few more games; three titles feel a bit sparse. While you do get two NES classics and what many consider the best Game Boy game in Link’s Awakening, I would have gladly paid a bit more for additional titles like A Link to the Past or Oracle of Seasons/Ages.

The limited game selection is likely due to its mere 4MB flash storage, which seems odd in an era where the best gaming handhelds boast over 250,000 times that capacity. However, the choice of specific components is probably why we got this portable at such an attractive price point. If Nintendo had aimed for higher specs, they might have just released a Game Boy Mini.

My other minor gripes with the Game and Watch are just that—minor. I’m still on the fence about the authentic rubber A and B buttons; I would have preferred them to resemble the NES/Famicom controller. Given its name and the included cardboard stand, it’s also a bit odd that it lacks alarm clock functionality. Still, this handheld remains one of my favorite ways to experience the original Legend of Zelda, even with countless other versions at my disposal.

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