The Game & Watch series of handheld consoles from Nintendo was first released in April 1980 with the release of Game & Watch: Ball. The last console in the original run was released in 1991. Special anniversary re-releases in 2020 and 2021 were later released. The Game & Watch console was designed by Gunpei Yokoi who had the idea for a miniature handheld console after watching a bored train passenger playing with a calculator's buttons to pass the time. The consoles also include a clock which display on the LCD screen, providing the watch part of Game & Watch. The original Donkey Kong version of the Game & Watch, released on 3rd June 1982, was the first console/controller to feature Nintendo's cross-shaped d-pad.

This example in our collection is the Donkey Kong 3 model, which was released on 20th August 1984 as part of the Micro Vs. System series. Unlike the arcade release of the same name, the Game & Watch version is a two player versus game. There is also a single player option which is played against a computer controlled opponent.

Players can control either Donkey Kong or an exterminator called Stanley as they use bug spray to defend their gardens, which are situated on opposite sides of the screen, from bees. Each time a player sprays a bee, it will begin to advance towards the opposing player's garden. If three bees manage to reach either player's garden, then they lose.

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Date: 1983

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH71134. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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