Everyone's favorite virtual pet (to murder) from the '90s is back.
Since their re-release in 2004 with infrared communication abilities, I have found the V1/V2/V3 to be quite impressive in their evolution from the the simplicity of 90's technology. I highly recommend this toy for a young elementary school child since it is very stimulating.
Bandai Namco revived Tamagotchi earlier this year as a Japan-only thing, but now it's coming to the U.S. on Nov. 5.
The experience has been simplified somewhat and the device itself has slimmed down considerably, but the gist is still the same: care for your digital friend.
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When you fire up your Tamagotchi for the first time, one of six chirping faux-pets immediately hatches and you're off. Their basic care is all on you: feed them when they're hungry, turn the lights off (i.e. power down) when it's time to sleep, offer comfort when they're sick, and — everyone's favorite — clean up after they poop.
The egg-shaped device is roughly half the size of its 1990s predecessor, sporting a square digital screen with three buttons underneath it. The process of caring for your not-actually-a-pet has been simplified — there's no playing games with it, and the icons at the top and bottom of the screen have been removed — but that simplification makes sense in the fast-paced world of 2017.
It's easier to care for your little Tamagotchi, which chirps infrequently and can now be sated with a few brief button presses. I have vague memories of angry high school teachers pausing class to scold students for getting too wrapped up in their fake animal care. That won't be an issue anymore.
Just like the Japan release, the U.S. Tamagotchi will come in six different shells. Your choice of shell doesn't affect which virtual critter hatches, however. All six of the original Tamagotchi creatures are back with this re-release, and you end up with one at random any time you hatch a new egg.
There's really not a whole lot more to say here. Tamagotchi was never meant to be a complicated device, and Bandai's revival makes it even easier. If you had one of these little critters back in the '90s, this new take is freshly streamlined and perfect for tickling your nostalgia nerve without taking over your life (again).
Look for them in stores starting Nov. 5, and definitely don't pay more than $14.99 for one (that's the suggested retail price).
Tamagotchi Connection V2
Most of the menus worked the same way as they did in the V1, but the status menu now featured an area to show how many points you'd gathered from playing games.
The food menu also featured a new section below the snack and meal choices, treats. The one-time use food items you bought from the shop would appear under here. Treats could fill up your Tamagotchi's hunger or happiness meters more than regular food or snacks would. Each character also had a favorite and least favorite food item.
There were four different games that were unlocked as the Tamagotchi aged. Once it died or a new generation started, the games would have to be unlocked again. Besides just raising happiness and lowering weight, the games would now also give out points depending on how well you did in them, with a perfect game resulting in the highest payout.
The first game is Jump. Three circles with white centers appear at the top of the screen. They will turn black one-by-one, and you have to hit the corresponding button on your toy. The faster you press the buttons when they appear, the farther your Tamagotchi will jump.
The next game is Bump. A meter will fill up above your Tamagotchi, and you have to press a button when the meter is as high as possible. Your Tamagotchi will then fight with another as they try to knock each other down.
The next game is Heading. You have to use the left and right buttons to move your character between the left, right, and middle spots at the bottom of the screen. Balls will fall down from the top, ad you have to use the middle button to make your Tamagotchi jump and hit them back up.
The last game is a slot machine. Press the buttons to stop the corresponding reels. Circles and triangles will earn you points, but try not to stop them on the x's.
Tamagotchi Connection Re Release Dates
The points you earn from games can be used to buy items in the shop, which is accessed under the play menu. From here, you can buy new food or items for your Tamagotchi to play with.The V2 could connect with either the V1 or other V2s.
Tamagotchi Connection Re Release Status
Tamagotchi Connection Re Released
The shop is very nice. Having the option to let your pet play with more items and being able to give it treats is nice. The games are a little hard, and the payout isn't super-high, so taking full advantage of the shop can sometimes be a little hard, though.
It's a fairly hardy pet, and not too hard to raise. It's one that's good if you're looking for one with a few more features than the V1 or vintage models, but don't want one that's too complex.