Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterImagine stumbling upon a Star Fox game so obscure, most fans have never seen it. That’s exactly what happened with a rare Star Fox Game Watch—an incredible piece of gaming history that blurs the lines between watch and video game.
Not Your Typical Nintendo Game & Watch
Most people think of Nintendo’s Game & Watch series as those simple handheld devices from the ’80s featuring basic pixelated games. But this Star Fox Game Watch? It doesn’t fit that mold—not quite. For starters, it wasn’t made by Nintendo but by Nelsonic under official license, part of the lesser-known “Game Watch” line, a sibling of Game & Watch but not the same. This odd duck is also worn on the wrist, doubling as an actual watch, which adds a refreshing twist to your usual gaming experience.
The owner, a dedicated Star Fox fan, had never even heard of this thing until recently picking it up at a used game store for $70, in excellent condition. That makes it possibly the rarest Star Fox game and the only truly handheld Star Fox 2, even if it predates the official second entry. So much for the “fourth remake” of the original game—this makes five.
How Does It Play? Closer Than Expected
At first glance, you might dismiss this as just another LCD game, those frowned-upon relics with simplistic graphics and limited gameplay. But surprisingly, this Game Watch nails the feel of the original Super NES Star Fox, complete with the distinctive Corneria theme that instantly transports you back.
What’s wild is the way it simulates 3D—something almost unheard of for LCD game devices. Buildings gradually approach to mimic flying forward, even if they don’t affect gameplay. Enemy ships and incoming hazards use clever layered animations to create depth and movement. This is raw ingenuity at work, pushing the constraints of what an LCD screen can do.
Gameplay That Holds Up on a Tiny Screen
You control your Arwing’s position between six spots—left, right, or center combined with high or low altitude—using only four buttons. It’s a bit clunky since there’s no D-pad, making quick dodges tricky, especially on your wrist. Your mission is familiar: shoot down the enemies before they get you, just like the classic.
The watch keeps track of your score and even includes bombs that clear the screen, limited to three per game and only launched from the center—a small but odd departure from the original. There’s also a shield gauge; flying through supply rings replenishes your health. Boss encounters with the attack carrier appear, adding extra challenge and nostalgia. Victory and game over themes sound off appropriately too.
Two Versions, One Incredible Device
The version found in stores features the full Star Fox crew on the case, which the owner prefers. But there was an earlier version available only by mailing in a Kellogg’s Corn Flakes coupon, practically the same gameplay-wise but with a different case and button layout. That model even had a headphone jack—something the store version lacks.
Examining the Game Watch with all LCD segments activated reveals just how cleverly the elements are arranged to keep gameplay intact without clutter. It’s a design marvel despite being a simple handheld device.
This Game Watch isn’t for purists who demand full-fledged consoles with advanced graphics. But for those who, like the owner, grew up with game watches and appreciate their limitations, this Star Fox clone is a small miracle. It faithfully captures the spirit of the Super FX chip-powered original on a tiny LCD display.
Oh, and it tells the time, too—because it’s a watch after all. It doesn’t get more niche than that.
Seeing how this Star Fox Game Watch squeezes so much into so little space makes you appreciate a forgotten corner of gaming history. It’s quirky, rare, and unexpectedly charming—a secret gem for any fan who stumbles across it.
