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Nintendo Game & Watch

Game and Watch icon Game and Watch logo

Overview

Nintendo’s Game & Watch line (1980–1991) consists of simple LCD handhelds that predate the Game Boy. Each system features a single game with dedicated buttons, and REG-Linux emulates the range via the gameandwatch system group, grouped under lcdgames in EmulationStation.

Supported ROM extensions

.mgw, .zip, .7z

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/gameandwatch
  • Accepted formats: .mgw, .zip, .7z
  • Emulators: libretro: gw, MAME
  • System group: lcdgames

BIOS

No BIOS is necessary for Game & Watch emulation.

ROMs

Store each .mgw file or archive in /userdata/roms/gameandwatch. The libretro: gw core also accepts zipped collections.

Emulators

RetroArch (libretro: gw)

The gw-libretro core simulates Game & Watch hardware using original artwork and input overlays. Use the Quick Menu ([HOTKEY] + south button) to access remapping and options.

Standardized options: gameandwatch.videomode, gameandwatch.ratio, gameandwatch.smooth, gameandwatch.shaders, gameandwatch.pixel_perfect, gameandwatch.decoration, gameandwatch.game_translation, gameandwatch.audio_latency, gameandwatch.video_threaded.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key Description => ES option key_value
GRAPHICS BACKEND gameandwatch.gfxbackend Choose OpenGL or Vulkan rendering.
AUDIO LATENCY gameandwatch.audio_latency Adjust buffer size to reduce crackle.
THREADED VIDEO gameandwatch.video_threaded Offload video rendering to another thread.

MAME

MAME’s LCD driver also emulates the Game & Watch lineup. Open the in-game menu to adjust inputs and video filters. Standardized options include gameandwatch.videomode, gameandwatch.decoration, gameandwatch.padtokeyboard, plus the same BGFX settings listed in the Quick Menu section above.

Controls

Game & Watch inputs map to the REG-Linux Retropad overlay. Use the overlay and the emulator’s menu to simulate console buttons or toggle the virtual keypad.

Game & Watch controller overlay

Troubleshooting

  • Confirm ROMs live in /userdata/roms/gameandwatch and use supported extensions.
  • If issue persists, try the MAME driver instead of the libretro core.