My Play Watch, a wearable device dedicated to playing retro games on your wrist, will launch in Japan on October 29. Five models with different themes are planned, including Space Invaders and Tetris editions, each priced at 15,400 yen (tax included). The Japanese release is handled by ZUIKI, the Kanagawa-based company known for the EGRET II mini arcade cabinet. Pre-orders open on June 18.
A "Game-Only" Watch with No Notifications or App Pairing
The defining trait of My Play Watch is that it deliberately abandons the conventions of a typical smartwatch. It has no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity and cannot show smartphone notifications. It is a fully offline, watch-shaped device built for one purpose: playing games.
That said, the basics of a watch and fitness tracking are covered. The device carries a TFT touchscreen ranging from 1.91 to 2.02 inches, with resolution and color reproduction highlighted as strong points. It can also measure heart rate, step count, and calories burned, so it works as an everyday activity tracker. Rather than a device you extend with apps the way you would an Apple Watch, it is best understood as a finished package: a watch, an activity tracker, and a retro game machine in one.
The games are optimized for the touchscreen and the side crown, with dedicated arcade-style UIs featuring characters and blocks. From watch face to gameplay, everything is unified around each title's visual identity, which is a large part of the fun.
A Lineup of 5 Models, Each with a Different Theme
The following 5 models will be released in Japan, all sharing the 15,400 yen (tax included) price.
| Model | Playable games |
|---|---|
| SPACE INVADERS: My Play Watch Red | Space Invaders |
| SPACE INVADERS: My Play Watch Yellow | Space Invaders |
| Tetris: My Play Watch | Tetris |
| ATARI 2600: My Play Watch | CENTIPEDE, PONG, MISSILE COMMAND, SUPER BREAKOUT |
| emoji: My Play Watch | emoji MERGE!, ASK emoji |
The Space Invaders edition comes in Red and Yellow, features a custom crown modeled after the controls of a classic arcade cabinet, and uses original sounds from the game for alarms, timers, and gameplay. The ATARI 2600 edition packs 4 classic ATARI titles, including PONG and MISSILE COMMAND, optimized for play on a watch, making it the most generous in terms of game count. The emoji edition takes a more casual direction with titles like the merge-puzzle style emoji MERGE!, a slight departure from the retro game theme.
Every model has bands and watch faces designed around its theme, so beyond being a game machine, these also work as fashion items for wearing a favorite franchise on your wrist.
About 4 Days of Battery Life and IP67 Water Resistance
On the spec side, a 2 to 3 hour charge via the magnetic charging cable delivers an average of 4 days of operation. With no radios drawing power, it should be easier to live with than smartwatches that need nightly charging. IP67 dust and water resistance means hand washing or sudden rain is no cause for worry. Two wristbands with different designs are included in the box, a welcome extra.
One caveat is language support. Despite being a Japanese release, the device does not support Japanese; English is the only supported language. Since the on-screen content centers on a watch face and simple games, however, this should pose little practical difficulty even for those not comfortable with English.
The Japanese Distributor Is ZUIKI of EGRET II mini Fame
ZUIKI, which handles the Japanese rollout, is a maker with deep roots in retro game and hobbyist hardware, having shipped the EGRET II mini, a miniature cabinet loaded with classic Taito arcade games, and the ZUIKI MasCon series of train game controllers.
The My Play Watch series originated overseas, and the Space Invaders edition is a collaboration model developed by Floor 84 Studio together with Taito. A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in 2024 brought it to production. Other editions such as the ATARI 2600 model have been sold abroad, and this release brings the series to Japan as an official lineup.
Summary
My Play Watch is a wearable that strips away connectivity and goes all-in on retro gaming — a device that feels obvious in hindsight yet never quite existed. All 5 models cost 15,400 yen (tax included), launch on October 29, and open for pre-orders on June 18. It should appeal to the generation with fond memories of Tetris and Space Invaders, and it is just as easy to recommend purely as a fun gadget.
