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Introduction
Long before Nintendo was resurrecting its retro library through Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online, the company had a brilliant idea: package its iconic Game & Watch LCD handheld games into Game Boy cartridges, updated with fresh visuals while preserving the original gameplay. Game & Watch Gallery 3, released for the Game Boy Color in 1999, is the crown jewel of this series — containing five classic titles, each playable in both their original LCD form and a stunning modernised version. It is a lovingly crafted celebration of Nintendo’s portable gaming origins.
Gameplay Overview
The five games included are Egg, Greenhouse, Turtle Bridge, Fire, and Mario Bros. — each a beloved Game & Watch title from the early 1980s. Every game comes in two modes: Classic mode faithfully recreates the original LCD game, complete with the characteristic fixed-screen graphics; and Modern mode, which replaces the original characters with Mario and friends in fully animated, colourful Game Boy Color visuals. Both modes offer difficulty levels (A and B) and compete for high scores.
Classic Mode
Playing the Classic versions is a genuine time-capsule experience — these are the games that kept children entertained through the early 1980s before the NES existed. The fixed-panel LCD style is perfectly replicated, giving players a fascinating window into the pre-console era of Nintendo’s history.
Modern Mode
The Modern remakes are a delight. Each game reimagines its classic scenario with Mario characters — Egg becomes Yoshi hatching eggs handed by Lakitu, Greenhouse has Mario and Luigi battling garden pests — and the Game Boy Color hardware allows for genuinely gorgeous sprite animation that elevates these simple premises into something joyful.
Star-Based Unlocks
A score-based star rating system across all games unlocks bonus features and special games, giving completionists a satisfying long-term goal beyond simple high-score chasing. This system was ahead of its time and adds significant replayability.
Visuals and Audio
The Game Boy Color hardware is used beautifully in Modern mode — bright palettes, smooth animation, and charming character sprites make these tiny games look genuinely polished. Classic mode recreates the greyed-out LCD aesthetic faithfully. The audio is upbeat and appropriate, with each modern game featuring its own cheerful musical theme.
Legacy and Impact
The Game & Watch Gallery series introduced a generation of Game Boy players to the origins of Nintendo’s portable gaming history. Game & Watch systems — made from 1980 to 1991 — were instrumental in establishing the company’s dominance in handheld gaming, and these compilations ensured that legacy was not forgotten. The series received universal critical acclaim and is considered among the finest Game Boy Color releases.
Conclusion
Game & Watch Gallery 3 is an exceptional value package and an important piece of gaming history. Whether you are interested in the nostalgic charm of the original LCD games or the delightful modern remakes, there is something here for every Nintendo fan. Five great games on one cart — it remains one of the best Game Boy Color releases ever made.
To view the product page for Game and Watch Gallery 3 please click here
