Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda: Test der Mini-Konsole

So too Zelda: a year after the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Brings Nintendo to another retro handheld on the market. The mini console is entirely tailored to our favorite Spitzer link and is explicitly focused on Zelda fans. We have looked closer to the small device, punctually for the 35th anniversary of Nintendo's cult series.

Table of Contents

1. Three cult games for Zelda fans

2. Digital clock in Zelda style

3. Small extras and Easter Eggs

4. Two top games are missing

At first glance, the mini console is very similar to the Game & Watch of last year, the exterior is almost identical. However, one gets a better offer than the Mario variant. For the price of 50 to 60 you will receive the slim device and an enclosed USB cable, and the inner packaging serves as a simple cardboard stand.

These are the contents of the new Game & Watch:

The Legend of Zelda (NEW, 1986) Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link (NEW, 1987)

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Game Boy, 1993) Vermin with link as a playable character (Game & Watch, 1980) Timer game mode (in the style of Zelda 2) Digital clock

In the official trailer you can also view the mini console in action.

The exterior counts (also)

As a reminder: The original Game — & watch consoles already appeared in 1980 and were the first portable LCD players from Nintendo. Today, the things act terribly outdated, but in the 1980s they were a cult! With the originals, the new Zelda edition but at most still has the exterior mean: through its narrow dimensions (about 11 x 6.5 cm) and a thickness of only 1 cm, the flyweight fits comfortably into every trouser pocket. The bright screen is very small with a diagonal of 2.4 inches (about 6 cm), but is completely sufficient for the games contained. There is no headphone output, but a strong mono speaker that makes surprisingly a lot of noise. A volume button has saved Nintendo, you regulate the sound via option menu, which opens with a print on the pause / set button. Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda Source: Nintendo All buttons and the control cross feel neat and are well suited for the games, but they are back very deep on the device — that's unpleasant for greater hands. Because Zelda mandatory is instructed, Nintendo has built up Start and SELECT buttons this time, which are conveniently located above the A and B buttons. By contrast, the thin plastic housing, which is pretty cheaper, but at least by a beautiful gilded front is upgraded. On the back even lights a green Triforce through the housing as soon as you turn on the device — a pretty detail! A power supply is not included, but a USB-C cable that quickly donates the Winkling juice to hold a few hours.

Three cult games for Zelda fans

The game selection is much better than at Mario's's Last Retro Console: With The Legend of Zelda and Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, not only two real NEW classics are preinstalled, including the Game Boy Hit The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is on board. Class! But beware: With the NEW games you only have the choice between English and Japanese version, German texts still do not exist.

See all 28 pictures in the gallery

The Legend of Zelda (1986) [Source: Nintendo]

After all, Link's Awakening is in four language versions, including German. Note here that it is not the colored DX new edition for the Game Boy Color, but about the grayscale original! But you can at least customize the aspect ratio if you want to play in the original format of the Game Boy.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993) Source: Nintendo Two details for connoisseurs of the game: Nintendo also defused some controversial texts from the translation of Claude M. Mouse in this compilation. A good overview of the changes can be found here. Curiously, during the exchange butane, you still have to collect a bikini top, which was actually replaced by a pearl necklace in the later DX version. So the censorship does not correspond to 1: 1 of the Game Boy Color version.

But at the fun of the fun, it does not change anything anyway: Who has a heart for retro adventure, gets three great Zelda classics here! Above all, Link's awakening is still really fun and is a weighting title for every fan — at least if you do not already have the excellent remake. We also like it especially that you can change comfortably between the games at any time or switch off the console without losing progress. The games are automatically paused, this can simply continue to play at the point where you have stopped.

Digital clock in Zelda style

In addition to the three main games, there is also a variant of the ancient LCD game Vermin, but it is very fast barren. Somewhat funny is the bonus game Timer in the style of Zelda 2, in which you have to fight opponent waves for a few minutes. Also, as at Mario's Game & Watch, a digital clock is included in the Zelda design. This can be set next to this time so that the console is no longer switching off by itself. Unfortunately, an alarm clock is still missing. The inner box made of black cardboard has a small stand. This allows you to set up your Game & Watch and use as a table decoration or as a clock on the bedside table. Source: Nintendo

Small extras and Easter Eggs

The LCD classic Vermin makes no fun nowadays. Source: Nintendo Of course, Nintendo has again thought of a pair of Gimmicks and Easter Eggs. For example, in all three Zelda games, you can activate a simple cheat (e.g., hold down the A button in the main menu) to get all the heart parts and full combat power. In Zelda 1 you can also start the harder Second Quest as usual by creating your Zelda as a player name. In the timer bonus game, there is a hidden Time Attack mode, even to hold the A button for five seconds. And in standby (three minutes do not press buttons) Pretty artworks are displayed.

A complete overview With all Easter Eggs, Nintendo has revealed itself.

Two top games are missing

Glowing Zelda fans get a lot offered with the Game & Watch. But a bitter taste remains: Why didn't Nintendo have included the great Game Boy Games Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons? Both games are available for 6 euros each in the e-shop and run today only via Virtual Console on the 3DS who would have excellently fit to Game & Watch! Since this Game & Watch can not be extended later, Nintendo has unfortunately missed a perfect opportunity to help two games to new shine. With two additional top titles, the purchase price of around 50 euros would be much better justified.

Or is Nintendo prepared for the two Game Boy games as well as elaborate remakes? That would be something!

Conclusion: For leg-hard Zelda lovers and passionate console collectors, this game & watch is also a sympathetic offer. But does not expect any serious console with long-term fun! The purchase is only worth it if you bring a high enthusiasm for retro games — otherwise the device should sweep quickly in the showcase.

From Felix Schultz editor 04.01.2022 at 14:07

Back

Continue

1 2 Game & Watch: The Zelda Edition of the Mini Console in the Test Imaging Gallery to Game & Watch: The Zelda Edition of the Mini Console in Test