Nintendo Game and Watch: Cult reborn as keyholders (video)

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Monday, January 18th, 2010

game_watc_parachute

Game & Watch is the name of a series of (now) simple LCD handheld games Nintendo produced between 1980 and 1991. The small devices still enjoy cult status among hardcore retro gamers (just look at these prices on Ebay), which means it’s not that big a surprise that toymaker Takara decided to come up with three new keyholders that are designed exactly like Game & Watch units.

game_watch_octopus

Specifically, the keyholders resemble the Octopus, Parachute, and Chef Game & Watches (all of these games were first released in 1981). What sounds good so far has a downside: You won’t be able to play the games, but at least you’ll see sprites moving in pre-determined patterns on the screen (the keyholders are solar-powered).

game_watch_chef

So if you’re a hardcore Game & Watch collector (and we know you are out there), you should look out for the Takara keyholders sometime in March. They will be sold only in Japan (for $12 each), which is why I suggest to contact import/export specialists such as Japan Trend Shop, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya.

Here’s a short video:

Via Gigazine [JP]

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