Nintendo consistently revisits its history to create new products appealing to those with fond memories, and generally does so with skill and a touch of generosity. This approach is evident in the Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch, a self-contained handheld device that features the original Mario game, its notoriously difficult follow-up “Lost Levels,” and functions as an unconventional timepiece.

While not the most practical device available, this compact gaming system is an appealing piece of technology that delivers precisely what it promises.

Power on the Game & Watch using the side-mounted button to choose between the Game and Watch functionalities. Within game mode, players can select from playing the classic Super Mario Bros. for the NES, the sequel that wasn't initially released in the United States but later became known as “The Lost Levels,” and a reimagining of a classic LCD game where Mario skillfully juggles balls at progressively faster rates.

The screen, though relatively small, offers a bright and clear display, accurately reproducing the original Nintendo game’s pixel dimensions. Gameplay is smooth, and the controls are responsive, although it feels unusual to experience the game without an authentic NES controller. The Game & Watch buttons have a slightly softer feel than ideal, but they performed well enough for me to complete the initial stages without significant difficulty beyond my own limitations.

The system lacks save or rewind features – functionalities that are almost essential for the vast majority of players who cannot complete the game without assistance – but you are not required to finish it in a single play session. The game preserves its progress when turned off or switched to another game or mode, allowing you to play a few levels during brief pauses in your day without losing your place.

The device can also be shared with a friend (following proper sanitization, naturally), as player two utilizes the same controls.

The juggling game provides a brief and enjoyable distraction, but, like many of those older LCD games, it quickly transitions from being quite easy to becoming almost impossible within approximately a minute.

The “Watch” mode presents a charming scene with the current time displayed using bricks, and Mario running across the screen, jumping on Goombas and dodging Bullet Bills. After a period of time, he will perform a moonwalk, climb a pipe, and engage in other amusing actions. You can also change the background to hills or mushroom platforms. While I wouldn’t rely on it as a primary watch, it’s a convenient option if you prefer not to use your phone while gaming.

At a price of $50, it might appear somewhat expensive, and perhaps it is. If this device included the first three Mario games, I would consider it an excellent value, particularly given the ability to return to the game repeatedly – I would happily spend time progressing through the extensive third installment.

However, as it stands, the price is difficult to justify – except, of course, as a gift for a Nintendo enthusiast or someone you care about. This is why I anticipate strong sales during the upcoming holiday season. With no new Switch hardware, no mini N64 console, and a lack of essential games on Nintendo’s platforms, options are limited, but a Game & Watch is quirky enough – and sufficiently well-made – to satisfy a retro gamer’s cravings for a few days.