Before Nintendo gave us the Game Boy - or Sega released the Game Gear and Atari released the Lynx - handheld gaming was dominated by Nintendo's Game and Watch series throughout the 1980s.
Nintendo Game and Watch
Using an LCD screen Nintendo adapted their most popular titles, such as 'Donkey Kong', 'Mario Bros.' and 'Zelda' , into mini games which players could carry around with them, and of course use as a watch complete with an alarm! They were designed by Gunpei Yokoi who also was responsible for creating the Game Boy after being inspired by watching travelling Japanese businessmen.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of 'Super Mario Bros' - the 1985 game that made the NES a must-have console - Nintendo have brought the iconic platformer to a new Game and Watch device.
What Nintendo fans, and nostalgia lovers get, is the full game that plays perfectly on a 2.36-inch, colour LCD colour screen inside the classic Game and Watch device which comes in the red and gold colours of the Japanese version of the NES and Famicom.
Despite being able to fit in your pocket, nothing is lost in the gameplay experience and the D-pad and A and B buttons make the device feel like you are using a NES controller to make the international superstar plumber jump and dive down pipes on his way to rescuing Princess Toadstool from the clutches of the evil Bowser.
The original 'Super Mario Bros.' game would be enough to satisfy most gamers but the Game and Watch also comes with the first Mario sequel ''Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels' - which has still not gotten any easier over the years - and 'Mario Ball', a challenge game with Mario juggling, which is a recreation of the first ever Game and Watch title released in 1980.
And of course don't forget the watch element! The device has a digital clock display which plays several different animations of Mario moving around blocks which have been set up to tell the time.
There are also 35 special hidden animations for players to find that change the clock screen and how Mario interacts with it at different times which will please fans.
The Game and Watch also contains several Easter eggs for fans to find - for instance you can play 'Ball' as Luigi if you discover the right button combination - which adds to the fun.
In 2020, of course there are many ways to play Mario and anyone with a smartphone has a mobile gaming device in their pocket at all times but the Game and Watch is still a must have for Nintendo fans due to the attention to detail and the nostalgia factor as it takes players back to the earliest days of handheld gaming.
The titles included are all great but if Nintendo had included all the NES 'Super Mario Bros.' sequels then this would have been a must-have gadget.
Now Mario has had his anniversary edition we could well see Nintendo bring some other classic titles to the Game and Watch format and 'The Legend of Zelda' and 'Donkey Kong' would be welcome additions to the range.
'Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros.' is the perfect gift for the Nintendo fan in your family but you better get one quick as these handhelds are limited edition and are already appearing on re-sale sites for a lot more than the £44.99 price point.
'Game and Watch: Super Mario Bros.'
Rating: 4/5
By Philip Hamilton