Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros Review — 8/10 Verdict
“A bit (too) small?” is the praise-and-warning that keeps popping up around Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros (Nintendo)—a device people call “virtually indispensable for any mario fan,” then immediately nitpick for what it doesn’t include. Verdict: a nostalgia-first collectible that delights the right buyer and frustrates anyone expecting a modern handheld. Score: 8/10.
Quick Verdict
For fans, yes; for everyone else, conditional.
Digging deeper into cross-platform feedback, a recurring pattern emerged: buyers love the screen, the throwback feel, and the “pick up and play” convenience, but repeatedly complain about comfort (small size), missing accessories (stand, screen protection), and limited content (only a few bundled games). The most consistent positive framing is “collector’s item” rather than “daily driver,” echoed across retailer reviews and longform writeups.
The device also creates a specific kind of delight: it isn’t just a mini console; it becomes a desk clock, a display piece, and a pocketable nostalgia hit. A Best Buy reviewer who uses it as a bedside clock wrote: “i plugged it in and i use it for a little table side clock now.” But that same use-case turns divisive because the screen sleeps unless plugged in. Another Best Buy reviewer complained the “clock functionality is kinda useless since the screen turns off after 2 minutes of inactivity… unless the device is connected to the charger.”
For travel and quick sessions, multiple reviewers emphasize portability and battery life. Best Buy’s summary notes customers are “pleased… for its nostalgic value, portability, and long battery life,” and individual reviews reinforce that with stories like “great for road trips” and “fits in your pocket.”
| Reality Check | What People Liked | What People Didn’t |
|---|---|---|
| Collectible-first device | Bright, colorful screen | Screen/controls feel small |
| Pocketable nostalgia | Strong build quality feel | Missing kickstand/stand |
| Simple bundled games | Responsive play, low lag feel | Limited number of games |
| Desk clock potential | Fun animations/secrets | Clock sleeps unless plugged in |
| USB-C charging convenience | Long battery life | No screen protector; short cable |
Claims vs Reality
Nintendo’s marketing frames it as “a new piece of super mario history” with “tight controls,” multiple games, and a surprise-filled clock. The user feedback mostly agrees—then adds sharp caveats about ergonomics and practical usability.
Claim 1: “Play… with the same tight controls you remember.”
While the official copy sells “tight controls,” some users experience input issues tied to the tiny form factor. A reviewer on The Late Night Session wrote that the “directional pad… feels a little mushy, making it easy to hit directions you’re not intending,” adding that “for nostalgic adults with large hands / fingers it could be an exercise in frustration.” That’s not a universal complaint: The Nintendo Gamer praises “great buttons” and calls it “just about the perfect little super mario bros. nostalgia device.” The gap here seems less about software accuracy and more about how the physical controls feel in adult hands.
Digging deeper, even positive reviewers note that the device’s size changes playability. SlashGear observed the small display can cause early mistakes: “the screen’s small size can make it difficult to see what’s going on sometimes,” leading to “running mario into enemies or pits until you adjust.” For players chasing precision in The Lost Levels, one Best Buy reviewer framed the benefit as minimal lag: “a huge advantage… is the lack of input lag… the game & watch has its own inputs and screen, so there’s almost no lag.”
Claim 2: “Watch out for… surprises… in the included digital clock.”
The clock is often described as a joy—when used the way the device expects. The Nintendo Gamer wrote that the clock “will stay on indefinitely” while plugged in, letting you watch Mario “endlessly running through the screen” with nostalgic animations. Best Buy reviewer keiro me echoed that magnetic pull: “the animations in clock mode are so varied and surprising, it makes you want to watch it for 24 hours so you can see everything.”
But marketing doesn’t foreground the biggest practicality complaint: on battery, it sleeps quickly. A Best Buy reviewer called the clock “kinda useless since the screen turns off after 2 minutes… unless the device is connected to the charger,” and also noted “the cable is extremely short.” For desk-clock buyers, that mismatch between expectation and behavior becomes the core frustration.
Claim 3: “Get your hands on… a collectible… updated… with a + control pad.”
The collectible pitch is reinforced everywhere—sometimes even by people who aren’t fully sold on daily play. Source Gaming described it as “very much designed for collectors,” arguing the “value… do[es] not build up to the… price tag” if you only count the games, but still praising “the experience.” Best Buy reviewers describe it as a “great display piece,” and one wrote: “this will definitely be going in my collection.”
The reality is that collectors also want display-friendly hardware. Reddit user feedback highlights a missing feature: Reddit user (username not provided) said: “the new one is missing the kickstand, which sucks.” Best Buy reviewers echo that as well: keiro me wrote they were “really looking forward to displaying this… [but] it does not have the kickstand.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The strongest consensus forms around three themes: screen quality, nostalgia/detail work, and portability with strong battery life. These aren’t abstract compliments—people repeatedly describe how those traits change when and where they use the device.
First, the screen gets near-universal applause, especially from users who expected a gimmick and instead found something genuinely vibrant. A Best Buy reviewer (malik) wrote: “the screen looks fantastic. very bright colors and high pixel density.” SlashGear similarly called the display “bright, colorful, and sharp,” and The Nintendo Gamer highlights an “amazing bright screen.” For older fans reliving childhood levels, the implication is straightforward: a crisp screen makes familiar pixel art feel freshly presented in a handheld form, even if it’s tiny.
Second, the nostalgia factor is less about just having Super Mario Bros. again and more about the tiny touches—packaging, clock animations, secrets, and that “mini museum” vibe. The Nintendo Gamer calls it “virtually indispensable for any mario fan,” describing “awesome nostalgic touches.” Best Buy reviewer keiro me emphasized clock surprises: “so varied and surprising,” while another reviewer wrote they “ended up liking the watch and the little secrets the best.” For collectors and desk-toy users, this becomes a product you watch as much as you play.
Third, portability and battery life show up as day-to-day practical wins. Best Buy’s review summary explicitly calls out “portability, and long battery life,” and individual stories reinforce it: adam wrote it’s “not bulky at all… great for road trips.” malik adds a real-world charging expectation: it “charges via usb-c,” so if you already have a phone charger, “charge it once, and it’ll keep its charge for a very long time.” For commuters or travelers, the ability to toss it in a pocket and top it up with common cables turns nostalgia into something you can actually bring along.
After the narratives above, the praise collapses into a few recurring highlights:
- Bright, sharp screen that makes the classics pop
- Nostalgia-forward details (clock animations, secrets, packaging feel)
- Pocketable form factor and long battery life with USB-C charging
Common Complaints
The biggest complaints are also consistent: it’s small (sometimes uncomfortably so), it lacks display-friendly accessories (kickstand/stand, screen protector), and it can feel pricey given the limited number of games.
Size is the recurring friction point, particularly for adults trying to play longer sessions. The Nintendo Gamer admits: “it’s really small!” and frames it as a surprise even for fans. SlashGear quantifies that feeling, describing a roughly “2.5 inches” diagonal screen and noting it “takes getting used to.” The Late Night Session warns that for “large hands / fingers it could be an exercise in frustration,” while also noting the screen can be “a little too small for older eyes.”
Accessory and protection complaints come from the exact people most likely to buy it: collectors and desk users. A Best Buy reviewer wrote: “only down side no screen protector.” The Nintendo Gamer also worried about scratches, saying they “do wish the screen came with some kind of protector or perhaps a little carry case.” And the missing kickstand complaint appears across platforms: Best Buy reviewer keiro me lamented there’s “no… kickstand,” and Reddit user (username not provided) said: “the new one is missing the kickstand, which sucks.”
Price and content limitations show up in both consumer and editorial tones. Best Buy’s summary notes some find “the price to be high” and complain about “the limited number of games.” Source Gaming goes further, arguing the “games… do not build up to the… price tag” if you only count content. Even among fans, the criticism is often paired with resignation: a Best Buy reviewer wrote that you can get these games “in other ways but that’s not the point,” framing the device as a “micro console with tons of nostalgia value.”
Common complaints, distilled:
- Too small for some hands/eyes; comfort varies
- Missing kickstand/stand; screen protection concerns
- Limited number of games for the price; novelty may wear off
Divisive Features
Sound and controls split opinion, largely based on how people hold the device and what they expect from a tiny speaker. Best Buy reviewer keiro me called the speaker “ill-placed… right where you might tend to rest your index finger,” admitting they thought theirs had a problem until realizing they were covering it. The Nintendo Gamer similarly warns you can “inadvertently block it while playing,” and notes “there’s no headphone jack.” Meanwhile, the Reddit thread includes a contrasting take: Reddit user (username not provided) said: “the sound on both is amazing, perfect!”
Controls are likewise split: The Nintendo Gamer praises the D-pad as “back to their best,” while The Late Night Session describes the pad as “a little mushy.” The reality is that both can be true—small hardware magnifies personal hand positioning, tolerance for tiny inputs, and expectations for modern controller feel.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term durability stories in retailer reviews lean positive. Best Buy reviewer adam wrote: “i’ve had this game for a few years now and it’s still in great condition. no issues at all with the sound, buttons or screen.” That kind of multi-year ownership note suggests the device holds up as a collectible that also gets occasional real play.
At the same time, buying anxiety around scarcity and scalping appears in community chatter rather than fraud reports. In the Reddit thread, one commenter wrote: “can’t believe the scalpers are already on this,” while another urged: “get it before the scalpers get them all.” That’s less a trust-and-safety warning and more a market behavior pattern: limited products attract resellers, which affects price and availability.
Alternatives
The only “alternatives” explicitly mentioned in the data aren’t direct competitor handhelds—they’re different ways to play classic Mario or scratch the nostalgia itch. Source Gaming points to Nintendo Switch Online as a value comparison, saying “super mario bros. is free on the nintendo switch online app,” implying that if you just want the game, subscription or other platforms make more sense.
The Late Night Session frames Nintendo’s “NES and SNES classic mini consoles” as an alternative for people who want a broader library, noting that “if you are more interested in the games the classic minis will probably be the better choice.” The same review positions Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros (Nintendo) as something you keep “sit[ting] on my desk” rather than a primary gaming device.
Price & Value
Officially, the device was marketed as a collectible system with a standard retail price around $49.99 in the data (Best Buy listing shows $49.99). Amazon’s listing excerpt shows a discounted price point (e.g., “$39.85” with a “list price: $49.99”), reinforcing that the market can drift below MSRP depending on stock.
Resale and secondary-market signals in the provided eBay snapshots show wide variance—from low bids/open-box deals to higher “new sealed” listings—suggesting condition and timing matter more than a stable collector premium. That aligns with the community’s fear of scalpers and the reality that supply waves and re-releases can shift prices quickly.
Buying tips embedded in user chatter focus on avoiding inflated resale pricing and picking it up at normal retail when possible. A Best Buy reviewer advised: “get it before the scalpers get them all,” while the Reddit conversation mentions availability across major retailers. For value-driven buyers, Source Gaming’s framing is blunt: you’re paying for “the experience,” not the game ROMs alone.
FAQ
Q: Does it feel like the original Game & Watch hardware?
A: It depends on what you remember. Reddit user (username not provided) said it “feels verrrry similar” and noted “the new one has a metal front,” but also complained it’s “missing the kickstand.” Best Buy reviewers also praise the nostalgic look while calling out missing display-friendly features.
Q: Is the screen too small to play comfortably?
A: Many buyers love the screen quality but still call it small. SlashGear wrote the “small display size takes getting used to,” and The Nintendo Gamer said “it’s really small!” For older eyes or larger hands, The Late Night Session warned it can be frustrating.
Q: Is the clock actually useful?
A: As a plugged-in desk clock, yes; on battery, some say no. The Nintendo Gamer wrote the clock “will stay on indefinitely” while plugged in. A Best Buy reviewer complained the clock is “kinda useless” because the screen turns off after “2 minutes” unless charging.
Q: How’s the sound and speaker placement?
A: Sound quality is generally seen as fine for a tiny device, but placement annoys some users. Best Buy reviewer keiro me said the speaker is “ill-placed” and easy to cover. Reddit user (username not provided) took the opposite view: “the sound… is amazing, perfect!”
Q: Is it worth it if I only care about playing Mario?
A: Many sources suggest value drops if you only want the games. Source Gaming wrote the games “do not build up to the… price tag” and pointed out other ways to play. Fans argue the collectible design, clock animations, and nostalgia “experience” are what you’re really buying.
Final Verdict
Buy Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros (Nintendo) if you’re a Mario collector, want a pocketable nostalgia device, or love the idea of a mini desk display with animated clock surprises—Best Buy reviewer malik called it a “great display piece,” and The Nintendo Gamer labeled it “virtually indispensable for any mario fan.” Avoid it if you want a comfortable long-session handheld, a big screen, or a deep library; complaints about “a bit (too) small?” and “limited number of games” show up repeatedly. Pro tip from the community: don’t overpay—multiple users warn about scalpers and encourage buying at normal retail pricing when available.
