Zelda (Game & Watch)

From Zelda Dungeon Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Want an adless experience? Log in or Create an account.
This article describes a subject that is or may be outside the core Zelda canon.
Zelda
Zelda G&W Boxart.jpg
Release

Platform

Date

North America August 26, 1989

North America October 2002

Credits

Developer

Publisher

Zelda Game & Watch (ZL-65) is a handheld LCD Zelda game made as part of Nintendo's Game & Watch Multi Screen series. It was developed by Gunpei Yokoi & Nintendo R&D1 and released on August 26, 1989 in North America. Together with the The Legend of Zelda Game Watch, it is one of two dedicated portable LCD Zelda games, and predates Link's Awakening by almost four years.

The Game & Watch Zelda is a side-scrolling action game, possibly inspired by The Adventure of Link. In total, three million Zelda Game & Watch devices were sold.

Zelda Game & Watch was the final game released in Nintendo's Game & Watch Multi Screen series. This series used two screens, and inspired the Nintendo DS. The bottom screen is used for normal battles, to show enemies' energy, to show Link's life and to show an Old Woman that sounds alarm. The top screen is used to show inventory & the map, and as an arena of boss battle.

A Mini Classics keychain Zelda Game & Watch was released in 1998 by Toymax Inc. as part of a series of licensed rereleases. It has a significantly smaller screen size, and was only released in North America.

In October 2002, Nintendo included a port of Zelda Game & Watch as an unlockable game in Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the Game Boy Advance. To unlock this game, the player must beat all other included games and earn all 160 stars.[1]

In April 2011, a playable online version was created by website Pica Pic, a site specializing in recreating classic LCD handheld games in Adobe Flash. With Flash's deprecation, it is no longer playable in modern browsers.

Story

"The havoc caused by eight fierce dragons is increasing day by day. These dragons have refused to live in peace with man and are fighting against him to rule the world. Now that your sweetheart Princess Zelda has been kidnapped by the evil dragons, you have resolved to destroy the dragons."

— Zelda (Game & Watch) instruction manual

Gameplay

Players control Link and fight through labyrinth chambers on the Game & Watch's lower screen. In the labyrinth chambers, Link faces Ghini, 1-4 Stalfos, and a Moblin/ Goblin. The Stalfos attack Link by thrusting upward at him from below with their swords. Link must move left and right to avoid their attack. Ghini attack Link from behind with projectiles, requiring Link to occasionally protect himself by holding his shield behind him. Stalfos and Ghosts cannot be defeated and must be dodged and blocked with the shield respectively.

The Moblins attack by throwing a spear at Link. Link must defend himself from the Moblin spear attacks by using his shield. Link must defeat them to proceed to the next room. If Link has the sword beam, he can attack them from the far left corner of the chamber. When Link defeats the Moblin, stairs leading to the next chamber will appear. If two stairs appear at the left and right, Link must choose one of the stairs.

Once you reach the Dragon's Lair, Link must combat the Dragon. The Dragon will spit out fireballs and attack Link with his tail. Skillfully move left and right to avoid it and attack the Dragon. When Link destroys the Dragon, he will obtain one of the Triforce fragments. The Triforce is the key to unlock the seal that keeps Princess Zelda locked in the dungeon. When all eight dragons are destroyed, you can complete the Triforce and rescue Princess Zelda. When you beat the game, you are given a Second Quest with quicker enemies and harder bosses. The player's score from the previous game also is carried over.

After completing the second quest, the game will loop, allowing the player to continuously beat the second quest for an increased score. The score will roll over at 9990, and a sword icon will appear above the heart containers, representing 10,000 points. Holding down the continue button will show the highest score achieved on the device.

Control

  • Left/Right: Move in the direction of the button you press.
  • Up: Go up a staircase.
  • Down: Use the "Water of Life" (above).
  • Attack Button: Attack with whatever weapon you are using and can be use to blocked Goblin's attack. Release this button to dodged and blocked Ghinis attack.

Characters

Picture Name Description
Link-ZG&W.png Link Hero of this game. He must defeat all the dragons and collect all Triforce pieces to rescue Princess Zelda.
Zelda-ZG&W.png Princess Zelda She was kidnapped by the dragons and is locked inside a final dungeon.
AlarmWomen-ZG&W.png Alarm Woman Old lady that sounds alarm.

Enemies

Picture Name Description
Ghini-ZG&W.png Ghini/ Ghost Ghinis attack Link from behind. They cannot be defeated and their attack must be blocked with the shield respectively.
Stalfos-ZG&W.png Stalfos One to four Stalfos appear in each chamber. They attack Link from underneath by stabbing up at him. They cannot be defeated and can be avoided by simply moving out of the way.
Moblin-ZG&W.png Moblin/Goblin Moblins attack Link with their spear. The attack can be blocked by pressing the attack button. You must kill them to proceed to the next room. If Link has sword beams, he can attack them from the far left corner.
Dragon-ZG&W.png Dragon Dragons are the bosses found in the top room of each dungeon. They attack Link with fireballs and their tail. Link must dodge their fireballs and attack when he has an opening. But, beware with his tail attack. Link will use tomahawks in these boss battles.

Items

Picture Name Description
Sword The sword is automatically equipped when the game starts. It causes three damage per hit. If Link has five hearts, he can use sword beams.
Shield The shield is automatically equipped when the game starts. Use it to block the attacks of Ghini and Moblins.
Tomahawk-ZG&W.png Tomahawk Tomahawks are only used in boss battles. They are automatically equipped when they begin, and work in the same way as the sword. The only difference is the increased damage, at nine damage per hit.
Map-ZG&W.png Dungeon Map Shows the layout of the dungeon.
WaterofLife-ZG&W.png Water of Life Heals Link to full Hearts.
RecoveryHeart-ZG&W.png Recovery Heart Heals Link by one heart.

Gallery

References

  1. Game & Watch Gallery 4 on Gamefaqs