Nintendo’s new game and watch handheld proves that the company goes its own way

It’s been a busy week for video game hardware. With the launch of the PlayStation 5 and MicroSF’s Xbox Series X and Series S devices this week, the next two pay-generation platforms are set to launch. Each platform is built around new advances such as re-tracing and quick-loading SSDs. Meanwhile, Nintendo is coming out today … which plays the clock Super Mario Bros.. It may seem like a strange time, but considering Nintendo’s history, it’s also perfect: this is a company that always goes its own way.

New game and watch: Super Mario Bros.. The hardware is an exceptionally beautiful piece. It is modeled after the classic Game and Watch Handheld – the predecessor of Game Boy – with a color scheme inspired by the original Japanese Femicom console. In terms of functionality, the device is incredibly simple. It has three built-in games, especially the first one SMB Game. There are also Super Mario Bros. 2, Better known in the West The Lost Level, A really evil sequel, a remix of the first game with insidious features like killer mushrooms. Rounding up the lineup The ball, A simple-yet-surprising-version of the 1980’s LCD juggling game, this time starring Mario.

The games are all solid ports and the screen is nice and bright while the handheld has a great D-pad. Whenever I have a few minutes I find myself picking up the game and V&C regularly for a sneak peek at one or two levels. The lack of frills is almost nice: I can really just focus on playing the game. It also has state savings, so you can pause the game and return to the same place whenever you want. Outside of games, the main function of the game and watch, as a clock, is good. One face buttons simply read “time”, and pushing it will bring it back Super MarioClock running with the plumber and jump on the classic Mushroom Kingdom locale. The game time of the day also varies with the real world.

Photo: Nintendo

If I’m being honest, the device is a complete novelty. There are both good and easy ways to play Super Mario Bros. And check the time. But there is a perfect mix of nostalgia and functionality to make it worth checking out for me in Game and Watch. I definitely don’t is needed That, but I want it. It’s similar to Nintendo’s line of miniature consoles, which kicked off a surprisingly long-term trend in 2016 after the release of the NES Classic.

Here’s the thing: Only Nintendo will introduce Kitsky, an innovation the same week that its biggest competitors are launching an ambitious home console. The situation is indicative of Nintendo as a whole. While Sony and MicroSt.

This is not always a good thing. For the most part, Nintendo’s unique nature, like the Wii U of its time, led to obvious failures, but right now, the company’s separate focus is clearly positive. Just yesterday Nintendo revealed that the Switch is the best-selling console in the US in 23 months and its global lifetime sales will soon take over Nintendo 3D. Meanwhile, aNimal Crossing: New Horizons – which was only released in March of this year – is already Switch’s second best-selling game, moving more than 26 million copies.

It is not clear how long this motion will last. Maybe one day Nintendo will finally release the 4K switch, as has long been rumored. For now, though, the company’s current philosophy – that an underpowered tablet with great games, is the best experience for most people – is working. And it looks like the next-gen console scare will not change.