Batteries FAQ
by Slash




The Following FAQ is designed to provide collectors with as much information as possible about the Maxell batterys that were provided with the Nintendo Game and Watch games. If you have any further information about the batteries, I'll gladly add them here.

Q.What Batteries did G&W come with?
A. Please view table 1.1


Q. What years were certain Batteries manufactured?
A. Please view table 1.1


Q. What are the dates stamped on the battery packets?
A. It is believed that the date is the manufacture date from Maxell and in no way represent a release of the game. Assumedly Nintendo would have purchased tens of thousands at a time, and used them over a few months, so by the time a game hits the store a battery packet could have been manufactured months ago.


Q. What games did the red on white folded batteries come with?
A. As far as we know Mario Bros, Donkey Kong 2 and Mickey & Donald standard editions, and it's also been seen in PS Donkey Kong, however it it really unknown as collectors tend to swap batterys a lot.


Q. What Batteries did a particular game come with?
A. Please view table 1.2

Q. Did Maxell release these battery packets elsewhere?
A. No, These battery packets were designed for Nintendo, for shipment with Game and Watch only (read email replay below).


Q. Can I get replacment batteries from Maxell?
A. The following is a reply from Maxell in regards to this matter:

Dear Mr.

Thank you for inquiry.

We were surprised to know that the exist of collectors for Nintendo Game Watches and felt a longing for seeing pictures of old battery packages.

We regret to say that we can not meet your requirement because we have already terminated to supply batteries with these packages long time ago. At the same time those packages were specially designed for Nintendo and we were not allowed to supply to any other customers.

Thank you again for information you gave us.
Best regards


Q. How rare are the batteries?
A. Please view Table 1.3


Q. Can I use LR-43 batteries in LR-44 games, and vice versa?
A. LR-43 batteries will fit in most LR-44 game aside from the V's, and may work, in some games due to their size, they may not make good contact with the terminals. They most certainly will not last as long as an LR-44.

L R-44 batteries SHOULD NOT be placed into LR-43 based games, particularly the silver’s and gold’s, as they will most likely damage the game causing the terminals to be bent or the battery cover to break.

 

 

Table 1.1

Batterys and Production Years
BW (Blue on White) LR-43 1980-1982	POW (Pink on White) LR-44 1982
BWF (Blue on White Folded) LR-43 Late 1982-1983	RWF (Red on White Folded) LR-44 Late 1982-1983
PW (Purple on White) LR-43 1983-1989	GW (Green on White) LR-44 1983-1989
WP (White on Purple) LR-43 1990+	WG (White on Green) LR-44 1990+
	CR (CR2025 button)

 

Table 1.2

GAME	BATTERIES	INFORMATION
Ball		Only came with BW
Flagman		Only came with BW
Vermin		Only came with BW
Fire		Only came with BW
Judge		Only came with BW
Manhole		Only came with BW
Helmet		Only came with BW
Lion		Only came with BW
Parachute		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Octopus		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Popeye		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Chef		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+,
Mickey Mouse		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Egg		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+,
Fire		BW First Edition, PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Turtle Bridge		BW First Edition, BWF / PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Fire Attack		BW First Edition, BWF / PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Snoopy Tennis		BW First Edition, BWF / PW Second Edition+, Some later ones had WP.
Donkey Kong Jr.		First Edition POW, All others GW, unless produced after 90.
Mario's Cement Factory		All GW, unless after 90.
Manhole		All GW, unless after 90.
Tropical Fish		All GW, unless after 90.
Super Mario Bros.		All GW, unless after 90.
Climber		All GW, unless after 90.
Balloon Fight		All GW, unless after 90.
Mario the Juggler		WG Only.
Oil Panic		First Edition POW, Others GW.
Donkey Kong		First Edition POW, Others GW.
Mickey & Donald		First Edition POW, Others GW and RWF.
Greenhouse		First Edition POW, Others GW. 1990 and later WG.
Donkey Kong II		First Edition POW, Others GW. RWF Japan only?
Pinball		GW, possible WG in later editions
Black Jack		GW, possible WG in later editions
Squish		GW then WG in later editions
Bombsweeper		GW then WG in later editions
Safebuster		GW then WG in later editions
Goldcliff		GW then WG in later editions
Zelda		WG Only.
Mario Bros		POW, then GW, WG (RWF for Pokka Edition, possibly JP only)
Rain Shower		GW, then WG
Life Boat		GW, then WG
Donkey Kong Jr. (Table Top)	N/A	Not included
Mario's Cement Factory (Table Top)	N/A	Not included
Snoopy (Table Top)	N/A	Not included
Popeye (Table Top)	N/A	Not included
Snoopy (Panorama)		GW
Popeye (Panorama)		GW
Donkey Kong Jr. (Panorama)		GW
Mario's Bombs Away (Panorama)		GW
Mickey Mouse (Panorama)		GW
Donkey Kong Circus (Panorama)		GW
Spitball Sparky		GW
Crab Grab		GW
Boxing		GW, then WG
Donkey Kong 3		GW, then WG
Donkey Kong Hockey		GW, then WG
Super Mario Bros.		CR Only
Climber		CR Only
Balloon Fight		CR Only
Super Mario Bros (Special YM-901-S)

 

Table 1.3

Battery Rarity
	Rare 7/10
	Ultra Rare 8/10
	Rare 6/10
	Rare 6-7/10
	Rare 5/10
	Mega Rare 9/10
	Common 3-4/10
	Common 3/10
	Rare 7-8/10

 

 

I would like to thank everyone who provided information for the creation of this FAQ. I would be impossible to maintain a list of data sources due to various reasons, but I and I'm sure the G&W community thank you for your input.

- Slash