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Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

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This article is about the 2020 video game. For the 1986 game, see List of Game & Watch games § Super Mario Bros.
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.
The system playing Super Mario Bros.
Developer(s)Nintendo
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Composer(s)Koji Kondo
SeriesSuper Mario
Platform(s)Game & Watch
Release
  • WW: November 13, 2020
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.[a] is a limited-edition Game & Watch system developed and published by Nintendo, released on November 13, 2020. The system features three Nintendo games: Super Mario Bros. (1985), Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986) (using its Japanese title, Super Mario Bros. 2), and a Mario-themed version of Ball (1980).[1] The system was released for the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario series and the 40th anniversary of the Game & Watch line.[2]

Gameplay

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See also: Gameplay in Super Mario Bros. and Gameplay in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
The system's button layout

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. is primarily a side-scrolling platformer in which the player needs to make it to the far right of levels. The system also includes the Game & Watch game Ball, updated to make the character that appears in the game be Mario[3] (with Luigi also being playable through an Easter egg)[4] - this makes it more similar to another Game and Watch game, "Mario the Juggler", than the original Ball, which featured a more generic player character. Despite being replaced, this character can be seen on the game select screen. The system also includes a clock function, which features 35 "little touches" (animations)[5] and Easter eggs.[6]

Multiple Easter eggs were also added throughout all three games, such as being able to give Mario infinite lives in Super Mario Bros. and The Lost Levels by holding the A button upon starting the game and being able to access and listen to the Mario Drawing Song (which included a language error)[7] by holding down the A button in the clock mode.[4]

Development

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Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. was announced in a Nintendo Direct held to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario series, where its content, release date, and launch price of $50 were first unveiled.[8][9] Due to lack of authorization by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), pre-orders for the system were delayed in the United States.[10] A more in-depth trailer for the system was posted later on September 10.[11] Two Japanese tie-in websites were also launched following the system's announcement, one for Super Mario Bros. and one for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.[12] The system was discontinued on March 31, 2021, following the end of the celebration period.[13] According to Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser, the 35th anniversary products were discontinued because of the 35th anniversary being a celebration that was intended to be unique. He said that he considered the concept successful and also said how Super Mario 3D All-Stars sold over 2 million copies in the time frame. He also stated that limited time releases were not planned to be used as a marketing strategy for future anniversaries.[14]

Specifications

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Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (top) next to the 1981 Widescreen Game & Watch game, Parachute (bottom)

The game is powered by a STM32H7B0VBT6 microcontroller, which consists of an ARM Cortex-M7 core, two banks of 256KB Flash (only 128 KB is documented) as discovered by the Game & Watch modding community, 1380 KB of SRAM,[15][16] and 1 MB of Serial Flash.[17][18] The screen is 60 mm (2.36 in) diagonal with a 320x240 resolution.[19]

The game's hardware is modelled after the Widescreen Game & Watch series,[20] but unlike the original Widescreen systems, the system's A and B buttons are moved to the right side to be like the Nintendo Entertainment System controller,[10] and includes a D-pad and a full-color LCD screen.[21] It has a built-in lithium-ion battery, identical to that found in the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers, which is estimated to last 8 hours.[22] The system weighs 0.15 pounds[23] and shipped with a USB-C charging cable.[24] Unlike prior Game & Watch systems, the system doesn't have a kickstand.[25] The system also has a power button.[26]

Reception

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Seth Macy, writing for IGN, gave Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. a 9/10, and labeled it as an editor's choice.[27] Macy stated that he was surprised by the quality of the hardware, and said that, due to the quality, is an "appealing way to play decades-old games".[27] Macy, reviewing the feel of the system's hardware, said that the metal surface it is made out of doesn't attract fingerprints, something he said other handheld systems have an issue with. Macy also stated that the tactile rubber the system's buttons are made of feels "really solid".[27] Macy also praised the button inputs for being "high quality", citing "no unintended inputs".[27]

Blake Morse of Shacknews gave the system an 8/10, praising it for looking "gorgeous", the hidden secrets it contains, and the watch feature, but criticizing the audio and how the down on the d-pad could "function better".[29]

Writing for Mashable, Adam Rosenberg said that the "squishy-feeling directional pad and A/B buttons" weren't the best way to play Super Mario Bros. and The Lost Levels, but said that the "budget-friendly gift item" would "delight any Nintendo-loving fanperson". Rosenberg also praised the system's clock.[30]

Nintendo Life's Damien McFerran praised the system's backlit LCD screen, the clock feature, and said that it emulates Super Mario Bros. and The Lost Levels "very well", but criticized the lack of a kickstand and questioned why only three games were included. McFerran said that older video game players would "love the nostalgia factor", and that it would be "of interest" for younger players.[25]

Chris Plante, in a review for The Verge, called the hardware "well built", and said that the D-pad is "firm and responsive" and that the A and B buttons are "soft but not mushy". Plante noted how after clearing Super Mario Bros.'s first level, his hands felt "achey", and that after multiple levels, his thumbs "cramped". Plante said that the discomfort he experienced with the system was due to the Game & Watch consoles being designed to play more simple games, such as the included Ball.[31]

When reviewing the system for CNET, Scott Stein stated that the system is an "unexpectedly satisfying mash-up" and also said that "it feels really good to play on", citing that the D-pad, A and B buttons are "very-well placed". Stein also criticized that consumers only got 3 games for the Game & Watch's launch price of $50, and said that it should have included more Game & Watch games.[26]

Sales

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One day after the system's announcement, it was sold out of stock on the Japanese My Nintendo store,[32] and shortly after on the UK My Nintendo store.[33] Shortly after the system's announcement, pre-orders were sold out in most Australian retailers.[34][35] Darren Calvert of Nintendo Life said that to get the system, consumers need to "beat the scalpers".[36] On the day of the system's release, Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. was sold out on Amazon, GameStop, the Nintendo store, Walmart, and Deep Discount,[37] but they were quickly restocked.[38]

References

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  1. ^ Gilliam, Ryan (September 3, 2020). "Mario gets a new Game & Watch for his 35th anniversary". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  2. ^ Goldman, David (September 13, 2020). "Nintendo is bringing back a super-retro handheld from the 1980s". CNN. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  3. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo is releasing a 35th anniversary Super Mario Bros. Game and Watch". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Doolan, Liam (November 14, 2020). "The Hidden Secrets Of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  5. ^ Denzer, TJ (September 3, 2020). "Limited edition Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros player announced for launch in November". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Jibilian, Isabella (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo is re-releasing its classic Game & Watch handheld for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., complete with 35 easter eggs and references for fans". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (November 14, 2020). "Nintendo Confirms Error In The Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Skrebels, Joe (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo Announces Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch". IGN Nordic. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Cooper, Daniel (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo will release a Super Mario Game & Watch for the holidays". Engadget. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Petite, Steven (September 14, 2020). "Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch Preorders: Release Date, Placeholder Listings, And More". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  11. ^ Gilliam, Ryan (September 10, 2020). "Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros. is pretty small in action". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  12. ^ Doolan, Liam (September 13, 2020). "Nintendo Launches Website For The Original Super Mario Bros. Game". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  13. ^ Craddock, Ryan (November 13, 2020). "Forget Next-Gen, Nintendo's Also Launching A New Console Today". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  14. ^ Doolan, Liam (2021-03-31). "Dev Explains Why Nintendo Made Mario's Anniversary Games Limited-Time". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2022-04-19. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  15. ^ McFerran, Damien (November 12, 2020). "Hacker Tears Apart Super Mario Game & Watch To Find Out What's Inside". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "STM32H7B0VB ARM Cortex-M7 Microcontroller". STMicroelectronics. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020.
  17. ^ Roth, Thomas (November 14, 2020). "Hacking the Nintendo Game and Watch Super Mario Bros". YouTube. stacksmashing. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  18. ^ "MX25U8035F 8MBit Serial NOR Flash". Macronix. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020.
  19. ^ "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. - Teardown & Observations". RGBSource. Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  20. ^ Robinson, Martin (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo's about to release an all-new Game & Watch". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  21. ^ Sheridan, Connor (September 3, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. is a retro bundle of joy with a built-in clock". GamesRadar+. Future US. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  22. ^ Cork, Jeff (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo Announces Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Kan, Michael (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo Revives 1980s 'Game & Watch' Handheld With Super Mario Bros". PCMag. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  24. ^ Song, Victoria (September 3, 2020). "Nintendo's First Portable Console Gets a 2020 Refresh". Gizmodo. G/O Media. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  25. ^ a b c McFerran, Damien (November 13, 2020). "Hardware Review: Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. - A Gorgeous Object That Leaves You Wanting More". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  26. ^ a b Stein, Scott (November 13, 2020). "Game & Watch Super Mario review: Nintendo nostalgia in a tiny box". CNET. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  27. ^ a b c d e Macy, Seth (November 13, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  28. ^ Greenwald, Will (November 30, 2020). "Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Review". PCMag. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Morse, Blake (November 19, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. review: Making time for Mario". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  30. ^ Rosenberg, Adam (November 13, 2020). "Nintendo's 'Super Mario' Game & Watch is a little piece of history. Emphasis on little". Mashable. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  31. ^ Plante, Chris (November 13, 2020). "Nintendo's new portable is a Mario throwback for nostalgic collectors". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  32. ^ Iwase, Kento (September 4, 2020). "「ゲーム＆ウオッチ スーパーマリオブラザーズ」がヨドバシ・ゲオ・ノジマにて取り扱いスタート". GAME Watch (in Japanese). Impress Corporation. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  33. ^ Pickard, James (September 4, 2020). "Here's where you can pre-order the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros". VG247. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  34. ^ Grixti, Shannon (September 5, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Has Sold Out In Australia And Is Already Being Scalped At Insane Prices". Press Start Australia. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  35. ^ Neill, Chris (September 7, 2020). "Where To Buy The Cheapest Copy of Super Mario 3D All-Stars". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  36. ^ Calvert, Darren (September 10, 2020). "Where To Pre-Order Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros". Nintendo Life. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  37. ^ Reed, Chris (November 13, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Is Now Available". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  38. ^ Reed, Chris (November 13, 2020). "Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Is Selling Out Fast". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2020.

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: ゲーム＆ウオッチ スーパーマリオブラザーズ, Hepburn: Gēmu & Uotchi: Sūpā Mario Burazāzu
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