Buying guide for Best Tamagotchi toys
Created by Bandai and released in the mid-90s, these egg-shaped digital toys are still popular with the young and old. Since their release, over 82 million Tamagotchi toys have been sold worldwide. While the popularity of the computer critters once seemed like a passing fad, new versions of Tamagotchi toys are still being released more than a decade later.
Many nostalgic adults who were once Tamagotchi-crazy are as interested in the mini pets as kids today. Whether you miss the simple fun of feeding and caring for your screen-bound Tamagotchi or you want to pass along the fun to your kids, there are plenty of modern-day Tamagotchi models available for purchase.
Considerations
What is a Tamagotchi toy?
A Tamagotchi toy is a virtual pet housed in an egg-shaped case. The lore behind the little critters is that the Tamagotchi are aliens who must be raised from egg to hatchling to adult. Over time, the pets evolve through different life stages, changing their appearance and behavior.
Tamagotchis develop in a variety of ways depending on the care (or lack thereof) they receive. Each Tamagotchi evolves through the following life stages: baby, child, teen, adult, and, in newer models, senior.
Some Tamagotchi toys require more involvement from the player, while others offer a more passive experience.
In editions where the Tamagotchi requires routine care, the user must provide their handheld pet with the following:
- Food
- Happiness
- Discipline
- A clean living environment
- Medicine
Newer versions of the toy allow for Tamagotchis to marry and produce offspring.
Modern vs. original version
The original Tamagotchi game involves simple mechanics and a few basic games (played to increase your pet’s happiness). Newer versions include a diverse array of features and improved gameplay, including a point system that allows users to play games in order to buy accessories and other items for their Tamagotchi. New Tamagotchis can also be linked with other digital pets or smartphones. While the original Tamagotchi game often beeped to grab a user’s attention when it needed care, the newer models offer options to pause or send their pet off to daycare for a break.
Note that you may find Tamagotchi toys online labeled “the original,” but these are often downsized versions of the classic toy. They have a smaller screen and fewer features than the model released in the 90s.
Size
Tamagotchis are available in multiple sizes, from tiny pocket-sized versions to models with larger screens for easy viewing. The mini Tamagotchi has fewer features than bigger models.
Battery
Your digital pet requires a CR2032 battery or AAA batteries to run. Note that you’ll likely need a small screwdriver to access the battery compartment on your toy.
Newer versions with color screens have significantly shorter battery life compared to monochrome Tamagotchis.
Did you know?
Tamagotchi games have also been released in the iOS App Store and on several gaming consoles, including the Nintendo DS.
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Features
Case color
Tamagotchis are available in a variety of colors and patterns, from pastel tones to vibrant cases with fun decorations.
Color screen
Some newer versions of the Tamagotchi toy are equipped with color screens. If nostalgia is your main motivation for getting a Tamagotchi, a black-and-white screen may be your best option.
Games
Games are available on all varieties of Tamagotchi toys. Mini games allow users to increase their pet’s happiness or gain points to buy accessories (depending on the version of the toy). The number and types of games varies from one version to the next.
Tamagotchi toy prices
Older versions of the toy are tough to find and can be fairly expensive. Newer iterations of the Tamagotchi toy retail for between $20 and $60, with color screen models falling on the higher end of the spectrum.
FAQ
Q. Can my Tamagotchi pet die?
A. Yes. Your Tamagotchi pet can die as a result of improper care or old age. Once your digital pet has passed, you can start the game anew.
Q. Is there a way to use Tamagotchi toys with friends?
A. The newest English Tamagotchi toy features Bluetooth connectivity, which allows your virtual pet to travel and visit other nearby Tamagotchi friends.
Q. What is Tamagotchi evolution?
A. Once your pet hatches from its egg, it evolves over time — but evolution is simply another word for aging. Your pet grows over time and eventually dies of old age (if neglect doesn’t cause its demise first). It’s possible for pets to marry and reproduce with the newer Tamagotchi models. Traits from the parents are then passed down to the offspring, giving you a new pet that blends the appearances of its parents.
