Game & Watch Zelda Review: Collector’s Delight or Not?
Bright, nostalgic, and crammed with three Zelda classics in one palm-sized shell, Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda earns a solid 8.6/10 from fans and collectors. While it wins big on convenience, design flair, and retro charm, some find its lack of headphone jack, small form factor, and price tag harder to justify—especially for casual players.
Quick Verdict: Conditional buy — worth it for collectors and Zelda devotees, but casual gamers might prefer cheaper or more versatile options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vibrant, sharp LCD screen | No headphone jack |
| Includes 3 classic Zelda games + Vermin & timer | Feels small and somewhat flimsy |
| Multiple language versions preserved | Pricey for casual play |
| Suspend point system allows quick switching | Missing “Link’s Awakening DX” and Game Boy Color titles |
| Clever packaging doubles as display stand | Buttons feel mushy |
| Interactive clock and special Easter eggs | Speaker quality inconsistent |
Claims vs Reality
Nintendo markets the Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda as “a collectible game & watch console packed with the Legend of Zelda classics,” complete with three iconic titles, an interactive clock, and mini-games. On paper, it looks like a finely tuned nostalgia bomb—small, stylish, and bursting with tributes to the franchise.
The reality aligns in some areas. Reddit user con_andy praised, “everything about this thing is exactly what I hoped it would be and more… you can instantly switch between games with automatic save states integrated flawlessly.” The vibrant display and portability impressed many. A Best Buy reviewer called it “a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern gaming charm… with a vibrant screen and responsive buttons.”
But digging deeper into user reports reveals some nuances. Nintendo highlights portability, yet multiple users—such as Hyrule Blog—felt “it’s quite small… the buttons feel a bit mushy, so it overall has a low quality feel to it.” Similarly, while the marketing promotes audio immersion, lack of headphone support frustrated both Tumblr and Reddit audiences, making public play less practical.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit, Best Buy, and Quora, the screen quality consistently stands out. The LCD gets credit for “sharp visuals and vibrant colors” (Hyrule Blog), with many admiring Nintendo’s effort to emulate the Game Boy’s signature green hue in Link’s Awakening. Collectors rejoice at the preserved multi-language versions—German, French, Japanese, and English—allowing regional differences in sounds, text, and even censored/uncensored scenes.
Portability resonates with commuters and casual handheld players. A Tumblr reviewer noted, “smaller than my iPhone 11, and fits in my bag or pocket… great for on the go when I don’t feel like carrying my 3DS or Switch.” Suspend points make short play bursts viable, sidestepping the grueling save mechanics of retro Zelda II.
Easter eggs and physical presentation score big in collector culture. Con_andy celebrated the packaging’s foldable stand and interactive clock that “shows link fighting enemies… at certain times of day you will see special enemies and easter eggs.” Quora’s Nintendo Gamer Staff lauded the “delightful design… oozes charm” and display potential beside the Mario edition.
Common Complaints
The absence of a headphone jack emerges as a top pain point. Tumblr’s reviewer called it “the biggest downside… makes taking this device out in public difficult,” with Hyrule Blog echoing that the speaker “isn’t very good… some sound effects don’t seem to be well balanced.”
Size divides opinion—not its portability, but the cramped feel during extended sessions. Hyrule Blog described it as “cheap and too small,” while Quora’s Nintendo Gamer Staff admitted even “relatively small hands… feel tiny” holding it. Long-haul comfort can be hit or miss.
There’s also disappointment over missing titles. Several Reddit users wished for Link’s Awakening DX instead of the Game Boy original, alongside Game Boy Color’s Oracle games. Sire_Nightfire lamented, “the screen is honestly way too nice to limit it to the GB version.”
Divisive Features
Emulated greens and original presentation delight purists, but others prefer modernized visuals. Carl2187 highlighted that the original Link’s Awakening boomerang could one-hit the final boss—removed in DX—a trait some miss, others shrug off.
Pricing remains contentious. At $49.99 retail, devout fans deem it fair for a collectible; casual players compare it to $10 digital downloads or free Switch Online options. Best Buy users weighed it as “not a necessary purchase, but fun,” while others insist it’s “worth it at full price… best value on sale.”
Trust & Reliability
Scam concerns are minimal; eBay listings show steady demand for both new and used units, often at or above retail. Durability debates hinge on subjective perception. Some praise a “good quality build” (Best Buy) and sturdy screen protection via display stands. Others caution the lightweight, toy-like feel—Hyrule Blog likening cardboard stands to “nothing special.”
Long-term reports suggest reliability holds up. A Best Buy reviewer shared, “after owning this thing for a year… battery life is long lasting… quality is a 9 out of 10.” Reddit collectors enjoy its ongoing desk clock role without performance drops.
Alternatives
Fans often compare it to Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros., which shares form factor and nostalgic aims. Quora’s Nintendo Gamer Staff felt Zelda’s edition “even better than Nintendo’s first Game & Watch offering” thanks to extra language versions and a more engaging timer game. However, if you seek more titles per device, Raspberry Pi Zero setups offer broader libraries—con_andy admitted Zelda G&W “beats my raspberry pi-0 in portability and performance,” yet Pi devices can outshine it for variety.
Price & Value
At launch, $49.99 made it a premium impulse buy. Today, eBay resale prices range broadly—from ~$65 to over $100 new—confirming scarcity boosts collector value. Market watchers advise buying sealed if intended as an investment, keeping packaging intact for display. Best Buy reviewers stress sale timings: “worth it at full price, best value on sale.”
For casual gameplay alone, community consensus leans toward digital re-releases. Tumblr users point out the original Zelda and Zelda II are free via Switch Online and under $10 on Wii U/3DS eShops. Collectors, however, justify it as “not just a game; it’s a piece of history” (Best Buy).
FAQ
Q: Does it have Link’s Awakening DX?
A: No. It includes the original 1993 Game Boy version. Multiple users noted wishing for the DX or Switch remake, but Nintendo opted for purity and preservation.
Q: Can I use headphones?
A: No headphone jack is present, a repeated frustration in user feedback. You can adjust volume via Pause/Set, but public play will default to mute or speaker.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Most users report 5–8 hours depending on brightness. Best Buy and Tumblr reviewers praised its longevity as ideal for travel or daily desk clock use.
Q: Is it comfortable for big hands?
A: Comfort varies. Con_andy reported no cramping after hours, but Hyrule Blog called it “cheap and too small” for sustained play.
Q: Are the games identical across languages?
A: Language versions differ in sounds, visuals, and sometimes censorship. Hyrule Blog detailed German edits, while Japanese versions retain uncensored scenes.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a Zelda collector, retro purist, or display enthusiast—its preserved visuals, interactive clock, and multi-language support reward long-term fandom. Avoid if you just want to replay the classics cheaply; digital options are more economical. Pro tip from collectors: keep the packaging in pristine condition—the fold-out stand and golden-green shell will boost resale and display appeal.
