Hardware Review: Game & Watch: The Legend Of Zelda – A Link to Link’s Past

Last year, Nintendo provided its fans with the perfect sock filler through its Game and clock: Super Mario Bros. handheld, a stylish tribute to the classic range of LCD Game & Watch games that were so popular in the pre-Game Boy scene of the early 1980s. That release was essentially created to celebrate 35 years of Super Mario, and this year, the company has returned to the concept with Game & Clock: The Legend of Zelda.

First Zelda The NES outing launched in Japan in 1986, making 2021 the 35th birthday of Link, Ganon, and Princess Zelda. Next to Super Mario and Metroid, Zelda It’s one of Nintendo’s most popular and beloved franchises, so it makes sense for the Japanese veteran to focus on it for the next in his supposedly regular series of Game & Watch updates.

As before, Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda (unrelated to the actual 1989 Zelda Game & Watch) is inspired by the design of single-screen handhelds that first appeared in the early 1980s. While Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. sported a color scheme reminiscent of the Nintendo Famicom (NES in the West), Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda replaces the dark red with a more appropriate green, but retains the gold metal. front plate. Other than that, the design is identical to the Super Mario Bros. version, save for the stylish inclusion of the Triforce, which is etched on the back of the unit.

The D-Pad feels great, the rubberized buttons are responsive, and it’s reasonably comfortable to use, although the controls still feel like they’re attached. little too close to the bottom of the device, which may cause slight discomfort if you play for long periods of time. The internal rechargeable battery is good for around 8 hours of gaming (that is, at low brightness and volume levels) and charges with the included USB-C cable. There is also no kickstand (again), but at least this time Nintendo has been kind enough to see that the packaging’s inner cardboard tray can be turned into a rather attractive display stand.

When we reviewed Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., we were a bit disappointed that Nintendo hadn’t included more games on the device. In that sense, Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda is a mild gets better. As well as the original The legend of Zelda and its (often divisive) NES sequel Zelda II: Link’s Adventure, you get the 1993 Game Boy outlet Zelda: Link’s Awakening, the same game that was recently remastered on the Nintendo Switch. In addition to these three games, there is a reimagined version of the 1980 Game & Watch title. Vermin, with Link in the title role. There is also a special ‘timer’ mode that allows you to set a time limit between one minute and 10 minutes and defeat as many Zelda II enemies as possible, with the unit keeping track of its best performance at each time setting. . There is also an interactive clock that is based on the overworld from the original Legend of Zelda. Left to his own devices, this watch will automatically show Link fighting a number of enemies in the game, but you can pick up the unit at any time and take control of the Hero of Time yourself.

Because there are notable differences between the Japanese and Western versions of the two NES games (in Japan, they were released on the Famicom Disk System, which was exclusive to that region, and featured different music), Nintendo has kindly included both of them the versions on this device. Obviously, unless you can read Japanese, the variants of the Famicom Disk System are little more than a simple curiosity; the Japanese version of Link’s Awakening is also present, along with the French and Dutch versions.

As was the case with Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., you can freeze the game at any time, which is useful for when you’re away from home and not in a position to save your progress in the game itself. It even picks up where it left off if you switch to another game in the drive, which is nice. Other options include the ability to alter screen brightness and volume, as well as toggle between full screen and 1: 1 aspect ratios in Link’s Awakening. The emulation is unsurprisingly perfect, although the screen has a certain smoothness that makes the images look a bit smudged (again, this is something that was equally true in the Super Mario version).

Between the three Zelda games included here, there are plenty of hours of fun, possibly making Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda a much better proposition in terms of value than last year’s Super Mario-based offering. While the first game shows its age and the second NES title has divided critics since its launch, it’s still worth playing if you’re a seasoned fan of today’s Zeldas. Link’s Awakening, on the other hand, is as happy an experience now as it was in 1993; is one of the weirdest Zelda games and it really stands out, in large part because it borrows many of its gameplay mechanics from the incomparable. Zelda: Link to the Past. So much so, in fact, that it makes you wonder why Nintendo didn’t include that play too; Link’s Awakening is based on a more humble technology, it is true, but it came to light after the SNES title, so it would have made sense to see it here, at least in terms of the series’ timeline. Also, why include the original Link’s Awakening and not the top Game Boy Color update? Link’s Awakening DX?

Still, you get three of the foundational Zelda titles as part of this bundle, as well as some cool, throwaway extras; Plus, as Nintendo itself claims, this is a ‘collectible’ item that will look great on your shelf. In an ideal world, this would be packed with content, but as it stands, we can’t say we’re disappointed with this continued Game & Watch revival; a long time can go on, in fact.

Where to buy games and watch the Legend of Zelda in the UK

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Where to buy games and watch The Legend of Zelda in the US