45 Years Ago, A Chance Encounter On A Train Changed Gaming Forever
45 Years Ago, A Chance Encounter On A Train Changed Gaming Forever
45 Years Ago, A Chance Encounter On A Train Changed Gaming Forever
Mo Mozuch
April, 28, 2025
Summary
The Game & Watch series, created by Nintendo designer Gunpei Yokoi in 1980, revolutionized portable gaming. Inspired by a businessman playing with a calculator, Yokoi developed simple, handheld games that also functioned as watches. These sleek devices, starting with Ball, became a massive success, selling over 43 million units and introducing iconic features like the D-pad. The series featured characters like Mario and Donkey Kong, laying the groundwork for Nintendo’s future IPs. Its success led to the Game Boy and influenced later devices like the Nintendo DS. Even today, Game & Watch’s legacy shapes Nintendo’s design philosophy and innovation in gaming.
Reference
Mozuch, M. (2025, April 28). 45 years ago, a chance encounter on a train changed gaming forever. Inverse. https://www.inverse.com/gaming/game-watch-nintendo-systems-anniversary-45-years