View source for Tamagotchi

{{Short description|Handheld digital pet}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Tomodachi (disambiguation){{!}}Tomodachi}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox toy
| name = Tamagotchi
| image = Tamagotchi 0124 ubt.jpeg
| caption = [[Tamagotchi Connection|Tamagotchi Connection V1]], released in 2004
| type = [[Virtual pet]] ([[Handheld electronic game]])
| inventor = Aki Maita
| country = [[Japan]]
| company = [[Bandai]]<br/><small>(part of the [[Bandai Namco]] group)</small>
| from = 1996
| to = present
| website = http://tamagotchi.com/
}}
{{Prone to spam|date=May 2012}}

{{Nihongo|'''Tamagotchi'''|[[wikt:たまごっち|たまごっち]]||{{IPA|ja|tamaɡotꜜtɕi|IPA}}, "Egg Watch"|lead=yes}} is a brand of handheld [[digital pet]]s marketed since 1996 by Japanese toymaker [[Bandai]], a division of [[Bandai Namco Holdings]]. Most Tamagotchi are housed in a small egg-shaped handheld video game with an interface consisting of three buttons, with the goal of raising the pet as it goes through different life stages.

The original Tamagotchi, released locally in 1996 and worldwide in 1997, quickly became a major toy [[fad]] for a period of time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=Digital Besties: A Look Back at Robotic Pets |url=https://www.bbc.com/articles/cd605ny301no |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Tamagotchi was brought back in 2004 and since then has received more new versions while Bandai has also expanded the franchise to other media and merchandise.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Townsend |first=Verity |date=2024-05-23 |title=Tamagotchi caused Bandai to lose 6 billion yen, despite being a hit toy of the 90s |url=https://automaton-media.com/en/news/tamagotchi-caused-bandai-to-lose-6-billion-yen-despite-being-hit-toy-of-the-90s/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=AUTOMATON WEST |language=en-US}}</ref> {{As of|2023|6}}, over {{nowrap|91 million}} units have been sold worldwide.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Faithfull |first=Mark |title=Retro-Game Rides Nostalgia Wave As Tamagotchi Goes Back To The Future |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/markfaithfull/2023/06/12/retro-game-rides-nostalgia-wave-as-tamagotchi-goes-back-to-the-future/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> It has been a staple children's toy in Japan since its early years.<ref>{{cite web | title=The '90s era Tamagotchi is back – this time with a camera &#124; CNN Business | date=21 April 2021 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/21/tech/tamagotchi-pix }}</ref>

According to Bandai, the name is a [[portmanteau]] combining the two Japanese words {{nihongo||[[wikt:たまご|たまご]]|tamago}}, which means "egg", and {{nihongo||[[wikt:ウオッチ|ウオッチ]]|uotchi}} "[[watch]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/kids/tm/ |script-title=ja:バンダイ タイムマシン |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119125318/http://www.bandai.co.jp/kids/tm/tamago/tamago_01.html |archive-date=2007-11-19 |website=Bandai |access-date=2007-08-18 |url-status=dead }}()</ref><ref name=":1" /> After the original English spelling of ''watch'', the name is sometimes [[Romanization of Japanese|romanized]] as ''Tamagotch'' without the "i" in Japan.<!--Example in ''[[Look Japan]]'': https://web.archive.org/web/20020612043836/http://www.lookjapan.com/LBcoverstory/97DecCS.htm --> Most Tamagotchi characters' names end in ''tchi'' or {{Nihongo||ち|chi}} in Japanese, with few exceptions. "Mametchi", present since the original release, became a [[mascot]] of sorts for the series.<ref name="siliconera1">{{cite web |date=18 October 2006 |title=Tamagotchi joins the Mario Kart GP |url=https://www.siliconera.com/tamagotchi-joins-the-mario-kart-gp/}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Virtual Pets at Rupriikki Media Museum.JPG|thumb|Tamagotchis on display at the [[Rupriikki Media Museum]] in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]]]
[[File:Lindsey Under the Japanese Maple.jpg|thumb|A girl with her Tamagotchi chained to her pocket, 1997]]
Tamagotchi was created in [[Japan]] and invented by Akihiro Yokoi of WiZ and Aki Maita of [[Bandai]].<ref>{{cite web |date=1997-07-25 |title=Just Another Day's Work |url=http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/97/0725/feat2a.html |access-date=2021-10-19 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> They both won the tongue-in-cheek 1997 [[Ig Nobel Prize]] for [[economics]], dubbing them the father and mother of Tamagotchi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tinyletter.com/whoinvented/letters/who-invented-tamagotchi |title=Who invented? Tamagotchi |date=January 29, 2016 |website=Who Invented}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.improbable.com/ig-about/winners/#ig1997 |title=The 1997 Ig Nobel Prize Winners |website=Improbable Research|date=August 2006 }}</ref> The first Tamagotchi was released by Bandai on November 23, 1996, in Japan and in the United States on May 1, 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bandai America's Tamagotchi Toys for 1998! |url=http://www.bandai.com/pressroom/98tama.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980709195449/http://www.bandai.com/pressroom/98tama.html |archive-date=1998-07-09 |access-date=2021-10-19 |publisher=Bandai}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Michelle Delgado |date=22 December 2021 |title=Keeping Tamagotchi Alive |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/keeping-tamagotchi-alive-180979264/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine |language=English}}</ref> Tamagotchi is a [[keychain]]-sized [[digital pet|virtual pet]] simulation game. The characters were first drawn in [[heta-uma]] which was a popular style found in teen magazines then converted to [[pixel art]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Kimura |first=Ken |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/topinventions/20210128/2072044/ |title=Handheld Digital Pets. Japan's Top Inventions |publisher=[[NHK World Japan]] |year=2021 |location=Tokyo |language=en |type=video documentary |id=03:32 to 06:12}}</ref> They were worn like a wristwatch in the initial concept, hence the [[portmanteau]] name.<ref name=":1" /> The egg shape might have been chosen as [[reptile]]s like [[snake]]s were popular pets at that time.<ref name=":1" /> The characters are colorful creatures with simple designs based on animals, objects, or people. When releasing the Tamagotchi in Japan, Bandai initially marketed them exclusively to teenage girls.<ref name="NGen34">{{cite magazine |date=October 1997 |title=Finding Companionship in a Digital Age |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |pages=56–63 |issue=34}}</ref> Bandai and WiZ would later create a masculine counterpart to the Tamagotchi, the [[Digital Monster (virtual pet)|Digital Monster]], which would spawn the ''[[Digimon]]'' franchise.<ref>{{cite book |title=デジタルモンスター ART BOOK Ver.1～5&20th |date=2017-12-09 |publisher=Bandai |trans-title=Digital Monster ART BOOK Ver.1~5&20th |chapter=渡辺けんじスペシャルインタビュー |trans-chapter=Kenji Watanabe Special Interview}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=デジタルモンスター ART BOOK Ver.PENDULUM |date=2018-11-21 |publisher=Bandai |trans-title=Digital Monster ART BOOK Ver.PENDULUM |chapter=デジモンペンデュラム開発者インタビュー |trans-chapter=Digimon Pendulum Developers’ Interview}}</ref>

The original Tamagotchi sold about 40 million units worldwide during its run, including about 12 million in the US and Canada.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Bandai: Tamagotchi Connection - Raving Toy Maniac - The Latest News and Pictures from the World of Toys |url=https://www.toymania.com/news/messages/5179.shtml |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=www.toymania.com}}</ref> The large success of the toy was a surprise for Bandai. But the company was also ill-prepared as it struggled to keep up with demand. At one point, Bandai employees were banned from carrying bags showing the Bandai logo in fear of theft as it was a sought after item.<ref name=":8">{{cite web | title=Tamagotchis back on the scene | date=22 April 2006 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/tamagotchis-back-on-the-scene-20060422-gdnet5.html }}</ref> The Tamagotchi craze faded by 1998 and because of large overproduction of the toys that remained unsold (partly caused by miscommunication and that customers made reservations at multiple different retailers), Bandai made a 6 billion yen financial loss.<ref name=":7" />

Bandai brought back the Tamagotchi toys in 2004 with the [[Tamagotchi Connection]], a new Tamagotchi with the ability to connect and interact with other Tamagotchi using infrared. In a bid to avoid repeating the mistakes of the original, the company released the new Tamagotchi carefully with subdued advertizing.<ref name=":8" /> The new generation Tamagotchi became a popular toy in Japan and other regions in the mid-2000s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamagotchi Connection Series - What's Cool in Japan - Archives - Kids Web Japan - Web Japan |url=https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/05-06/cool050601.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702142654/https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/05-06/cool050601.html |archive-date=2025-07-02 |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=web-japan.org |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Smithers |first1=Rebecca |date=2006-10-12 |title=Santa claws is coming to town |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/oct/12/retail.lifeandhealth |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The brand's revival and popularity was further seen with the success of the Tamagotchi-based [[Nintendo DS]] video game ''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop]]'' which sold 1 million copies in Japan by January 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=2006-01-12 |title=Tamagotchi Tops a Million |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/12/tamagotchi-tops-a-million |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

Bandai updated the Connection series with new models for several years and have since then expanded the Tamagotchi with further new versions with additional features to this day.

==Gameplay==
Tamagotchis are a small [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] species that deposited an egg on Earth to see what life was like, and it is up to the player to raise the egg into an adult creature.<ref name="rtfm">{{cite web |date=July 2007 |title=Original Instruction Manuals |url=http://www.tamatalk.com/IB/topic/116745-original-instruction-manuals/}}</ref> The creature goes through several stages of growth, and will develop differently depending on the care the player provides, with better care resulting in an adult creature that is smarter, happier, and requires less attention. There are various Tamagotchi characters (the original models have six adult characters and two at the teenager stage) and the resulting character depends on how the player has cared for it during the earlier baby, child and teen stages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Original Tamagotchi? {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/gb/series/original/news/01_166/ |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=What is Original Tamagotchi? {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-GB}}</ref> Gameplay can vary widely between models, and some models require little care from the player.

Upon activating the pet, an egg appears on the screen. After setting the clock on the device, the egg will wiggle for several minutes, and then hatch into a small [[pet]]. In later versions, inputting the player's name and birthday is also required when setting the clock, and at birth, the player can name the pet and learn of its family group and/or gender. The player can care for the pet as much or as little as they choose, and the outcome depends on the player's actions. The first Tamagotchi units could only be paused by going to set the clock, effectively stopping the passage of time in the game, but in later models, a pause function was included.

Pets have a Hunger meter, Happy meter and a Training meter to determine how healthy and well-behaved the pet is. There is also an age and weight check function for the current age and weight of the pet. Filling up the Hunger meter can be achieved by feeding the pet a meal (usually a loaf of [[bread]] or [[hamburger]]) or a snack (usually a piece of [[candy]] or [[cake]]). Filling up the Happy meter can be achieved by playing mini-games with the pet or by feeding it a snack (there are no limits to this, but there are limits to how many meals can be fed). Mini-games usually vary between versions. The Training meter (formerly called Discipline in earlier releases) can be filled by pressing the "scold" option when a pet calls for attention despite neither its hunger or happy meter being empty, calls for attention but refuses to play or be fed a meal and in later models, sending a prank gift to a friend. Later models added a "praise" option  for when the pet sulks or performs a good deed. The pet will leave [[feces|droppings]] around the screen from time to time and can become sick if they are not cleaned up. Before the pet goes to the bathroom, it will make a face and "stink" lines will appear around it. If the player activates the toilet icon during this animation, but before the pet has gone to the bathroom, the pet will use a toilet instead. When done repeatedly, the pet can be potty trained.

If the pet gets sick, a skull icon appears next to the pet as it sits still at the bottom of the screen, with an unhappy expression. The pet can become sick for a number of reasons, such as overfeeding of snacks or failing to clean up droppings. The pet can die if sickness is left unchecked. The pet can be cured by pressing the "Medicine" option; however, it may need to be pressed more than once. Usually, a pet will not play or accept a meal when sick.

===Life cycle===
The pet goes through several distinct stages of development throughout its life cycle. Each stage lasts a set amount of days, depending on the model of the toy, and when it reaches a new stage, the toy plays a jingle, and the pet's appearance changes. The pet can "die" due to poor care, old age, sickness, and in a few versions, predators. The pet's life cycle stages are Baby, Child, Teenager, Adult and Special, with some units also having a Senior stage. Usually, the pet's age will increase once it has awakened from its sleep time.

Poor care can cause a pet to die, but on certain releases, it can also die of old age. If an old pet dies without producing offspring, the family line has ended. The Japanese Tamagotchi toys usually feature a ghost and headstone when the pet dies, but English language versions have been changed to show an angel at death. There is sometimes more than one death based on how well the pet was cared for prior to death. Pressing the C button shows the age at which the pet died. After the pet dies, a player can restart the game by pressing the A and C buttons at the same time.

==Additional features==
On top of the basic gameplay premises mentioned above, some Tamagotchis have additional features.

=== Connectivity ===
Using infrared communication, two players can link their toys and the pets may form friendships, play games, exchange gifts, and even marry. Connectivity was introduced with Osutchi and Mesutchi, which used physical prongs to connect the “male” and “female” devices. The Japanese Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus was the first model to feature support for an online app. Since then, many subsequent models have also been able to interact with apps like Tamatown by using alphanumeric codes generated by the toy to log into the website's [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] game. After generating a code, the toy remains paused until the player either enters a logout code or cancels. The player may play minigames in the town to earn Gotchi Points, or use Gotchi Points to buy items in the town shops. To transfer points and items back to the toy, the player signs out of the Flash game and is given a code to input back into the toy. The Tamagotchi Connection series used infrared to connect devices. Newer models, such as the Tamagotchi 4U and the Tamagotchi 4U+ can connect to other Tamagotchi 4U units, as well as [[smartphone]]s and [[tablet computer|tablets]], using [[near-field communication]]. More new releases continued to expand on connectivity options, with the Tamagotchi Pix using QR codes, and the Tamagotchi Paradise returning to physical prongs at the top of the device for cross-device connection, harkening back to the original Osutchi and Mesutchi connecting style.

=== Marriage and family ===
The Mesutchi and Osutchi Tamagotchis were the first to introduce marriages and offspring, and the feature returned in the Plus/Connection and subsequent models. Two players with a male and female pet may link their toys and allow the pets to develop a friendship and fall in love. Once the pets have raised their relationship meter sufficiently, the pets may marry. The player can also choose to have their pet marry a random pet brought in by the "Matchmaker." Once married, the female will eventually produce two eggs, keeping one and leaving one with the male. Since the parent will automatically guide the baby's life, the only care it needs from the player is medicine in the case of sickness. After 24 hours has passed or the offspring evolves into a child the parent will leave, and the player is left to care for a new generation. This can continue for as long as the player manages to care for the pets.

The Chou Jinsei Enjoy Tamagotchi also introduced the idea of character "families" or "groups." These "families" are a kind of [[Taxonomy (general)|classification]] for characters obtainable in the game, grouped mainly by appearance, though they are also associated with certain skills. A character of one group cannot grow into an adult of a different group, and if two pets of different groups marry and have an egg, the baby will be of the female's group.

Tamagotchi Some, M!x, and On are notable in that the Tamagotchi offspring will share genetics from both of their parents. Tamagotchi Paradise also features a scaled down level of gene-mixing through breeding.

=== Other ===
With the many different versions of the toy, there are other less common mechanics that influence the pet's growth, including but not limited to friendship with the player, varying types of skills, and career.
The Chou Jinsei Enjoy Tamagotchi also introduced Skills, which can be built by playing certain games with the pet, or using certain toys or foods bought from the E-Tamago or in-game shops. Having certain skills can help the pet obtain a career, and if built up high enough, can unlock special characters.

Some recent models such as Tamagotchi On features the player earns currency called Gotchi Points while playing games, and can use the currency in an in-game shop to buy different foods, toys, accessories, or even room decorations for the pet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best Ways to Spend Your Gotchi Points in the Tamagotchi On – Tamagotchi On |url=https://tamagotchi.com/the-best-ways-to-spend-your-gotchi-points-in-the-tamagotchi-on/ |access-date=2021-02-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Tamagotchi Pix has a camera installed, allowing the user to get a pet based on the skin tone and age of the face; it also allows the user to take pictures and "take" the pet on a walk.

==Releases==
At least 50 different Tamagotchi versions have been released since their creation, several of which were only released in Japan.

=== Original Tamagotchi ===
[[File:Gele tamagotchi, objectnr 78041.JPG|thumb|A yellow first generation Tamagotchi]]
The original Tamagotchi was released on November 23, 1996, first in Japan and elsewhere in 1997. The device has an [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD]] display 8-bit (256 shades) [[grayscale]] graphics. A second version named ''New Species Discovered!'' was released in February 1997 both in Japan and internationally.<ref name=":4">https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/5986?entry_id=5435</ref> These are now officially named by Bandai as the 'Generation 1' and 'Generation 2', respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Original Tamagotchi? {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/gb/series/original/news/01_166/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=What is Original Tamagotchi? {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-GB}}</ref> The two have some minor differences: Generation 1 features Mametchi as the top character and a 'left or right' minigame, while Generation 2 features the character Mimitchi and a number guessing minigame.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2018-09-10 |title=Bandai Set To Re-Release Classic Tamagotchi Designs |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/bandai-classic-tamagotchi-design-re-release |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamagotchi Tips |url=https://www.mimitchi.com/html/tamatip.htm |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=www.mimitchi.com}}</ref>

This first wave of Tamagotchi toys later also included other themed versions with altered gameplay and characters.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Official BANDAI AMERICA Web Site |url=http://www.bandai.com:80/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981207021820/http://www.bandai.com:80/ |archive-date=1998-12-07 |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=www.bandai.com}}</ref> Most were released in Japan only, but two were also released in America, namely the Tamagotchi Angel (in February 1998), which puts a twist to the regular premise as it features an angel that comes back to earth after death,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1997-06-07 |title=Go to Work on an Egg |url=https://www.frieze.com/article/go-work-egg |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=Frieze |language=en |issue=35 |issn=0962-0672}}</ref> and Tamagotchi Ocean (in August 1998) which is set underwater. The final Tamagotchi to be released was the [[Santa Claus]]-themed ''Santaclauchi'' in November 1998 in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/gb/history/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=History {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Bandai Namco re-released the Original Tamagotchi (both Gen 1 and Gen 2) on November 23, 2017, in Japan and other regions in 2018 as part of the toy's 20th anniversary. It is an exact replica of the original but comes in new colors.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krol |first=Jake |date=2018-11-17 |title=Original Tamagotchi review: The reboot of the '90s classic is still addictive |url=https://mashable.com/review/original-tamagotchi |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref> Since then, the company have continued to expand the Original Tamagotchi range with new colors and designs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Play with new colors!Original Tamagotchi Color CollectionPresell starts now! {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/us/series/original/news/01_522/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Play with new colors!Original Tamagotchi Color CollectionPresell starts now! {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kickstart Your Year with a Fresh Tamagotchi Style! {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/us/series/original/news/02_544/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Kickstart Your Year with a Fresh Tamagotchi Style! {{!}} NEWS {{!}} Original Tamagotchi {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2025, Bandai Namco re-released the Tamagotchi Angel, which is now classified as the 'Generation 3' Original Tamagotchi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamagotchi Angel returns with a new look! {{!}} News {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/gb/news/01_668/ |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=Tamagotchi Angel returns with a new look! {{!}} News {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Also to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the toy, Bandai released internationally a miniature version of the Gen 1 and 2 Tamagotchi in November 2017 that is approximately 40 percent smaller often referred to as Tamagotchi Mini. Miniature versions were already released before in Japan called 'Chibi Tamagotchi'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=2017-10-10 |title=Tamagotchi will make its return in a world that doesn't understand or need it |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/10/16449938/tamagotchi-release-2017-price-date |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yurieff |first=Kaya |date=2017-10-10 |title=Tamagotchi's 20th anniversary pet is as demanding as ever |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/10/10/technology/tamagotchi-mini/index.html |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=CNNMoney}}</ref>

=== Tamagotchi Connection ===
[[File:Tamagotchi Friends.png|thumb|200x200px|Tamagotchi Friends, the eighth version of the Tamagotchi Connection line, released in 2013-2014]]
The [[Tamagotchi Connection]] (also known as Tamagotchi Plus) is the rebooted Tamagotchi series that was originally released in Japan in March 2004 and internationally later that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-04 |title=Tamagotchi digital petsset to return |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4163622 |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-05-16 |title=Toy Story |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/455882/toy-story |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2004 |title=Gotcha! The Tamagotchi is born again |url=https://iol.co.za/news/world/2004-02-03-gotcha-the-tamagotchi-is-born-again/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=IOL |language=en}}</ref> These feature a different graphic design by artist JINCO<ref>{{cite web |title=Character |url=http://www.jinco100.com/ |access-date=2 April 2015 |website=JINCO100%}}</ref> and gameplay which elaborated upon the first generations including the ability of connecting with other Tamagotchis through [[IrDA]] infrared technology and make babies. However, the story and concept behind the games remained the same.

Bandai released many newer versions of the Tamagotchi Connection series. The third version, released in 2006, also added an online gameplay element with the TamaTown website. In 2010 the TamaTown Tama-Go was released that gave the ability to attach physical collectible figures of Tamagotchis called Gotchi Figures.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-15 |title=Tamagotchi renamed TamaTown Tama-Go, no change in amount of attention it requires |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-02-15-tamagotchi-renamed-tamatown-tama-go-no-change-in-amount-of-atte.html |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> The last of the original Connection series to be released in the US was Tamagotchi Friends in 2014.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-23 |title=After 27 Years, Tamagotchi Still Has More To Offer Than Nostalgia |url=https://www.inverse.com/tech/tamagotchi-27-years-charli-damelio-nostalgia |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref>

The Tamagotchi Connection was re-released in 2024 to celebrate its twentieth anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luna |first=Elizabeth de |date=2024-05-14 |title=Tamagotchi is bringing back a Y2K classic |url=https://mashable.com/article/tamagotchi-connection-2024 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Mashable |language=en}}</ref>

=== Color Tamagotchi ===
On November 22, 2008, the first color screen Tamagotchi was released, only in Japan, the Tamagotchi Plus Color, it has additional gameplay features and Bandai made further new color Tamagotchi over coming years<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toto |first=Serkan |date=2008-09-26 |title=Cute gets an upgrade: The Tamagotchi goes color |url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/09/26/cute-gets-an-upgrade-the-tamagotchi-goes-color/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> in Japan including the Tamagotchi iD (2009), Tamagotchi P's (2012), Tamagotchi 4U (2014) and Tamagotchi m!x (2016).<ref name=":9" />

The first color Tamagotchi to be released internationally was the Tamagotchi ON (known as Tamagotchi Meets in Japan) in July 2019. It was also one off the first Tamas to feature character feature mixing after marriage. Useful sources: MyMeets (a version of the app that was initially shut down).<ref>{{cite web | title=How I Hacked My Tamagotchi, Cheated Death, and Became a God | date=7 May 2021 | url=https://gizmodo.com/how-i-hacked-my-tamagotchi-cheated-death-and-became-a-1846740322 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pardes |first1=Arielle |date=May 13, 2019 |title=Tamagotchi Have Returned to Bewitch a New Generation |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tamagotchi-on-price-release-date/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |magazine=Wired}}</ref> This version can also connect to a smartphone using [[Bluetooth]] wireless technology.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LaRuffa |first=Nicole |date=2019-05-15 |title=The new Tamagotchi comes in colour and will connect to your phone |url=https://fashionjournal.com.au/life/a-new-tamagotchi-is-being-released-for-your-yearly-fix-of-90s-nostalgia/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Fashion Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-06-01 |title=Tamagotchi returns in wave of 1990s nostalgia toy joy |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48362289 |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Tamagotchi Pix was released in 2021 which has a built-in camera giving the ability to take [[augmented reality]] (AR) pictures with the user's Tamagotchi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Ian Carlos |date=2021-04-21 |title=The Tamagotchi Pix has a built-in camera for taking pictures with your pet |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/21/22386339/tamagotchi-pix-pet-egg-camera-toy-ar |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tamagotchi Smart was released in 2021 and was the first [[smartwatch]] form factor Tamagotchi model. It was only available in Japan and uses physical cards for expansions with new characters and items.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tamagotchi is back again, this time in smartwatch form |url=https://www.engadget.com/tamagotchi-smart-180405450.html |website=Engadget |access-date=9 July 2025 |date=17 June 2021}}</ref>

Tamagotchi Uni was released internationally in July 2023.<ref name=":2" /> It was the first Tamagotchi to feature Wi-Fi. It is made in a smartwatch form factor and can use its new Wi-Fi feature to connect to an online environment called Tamaverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rachael |date=2023-06-28 |title=Bandai celebrates Tamagotchi Uni with London launch event |url=https://toyworldmag.co.uk/bandai-celebrates-tamagotchi-uni-with-london-launch-event/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Toy World Magazine {{!}} The business magazine with a passion for toys |language=en-GB}}</ref> A 2024 update added the ability to get [[Downloadable content|DLC]] over Wi-Fi, for expansion packs with new characters, items and mini-games.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/web/20240329192924/https://www.engadget.com/tamagotchi-uni-finally-feels-complete-after-its-biggest-update-yet-140041168.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329192924/https://www.engadget.com/web/20240329192924/https://www.engadget.com/tamagotchi-uni-finally-feels-complete-after-its-biggest-update-yet-140041168.html | archive-date=29 March 2024 | title=Tamagotchi Uni finally feels complete after its biggest update yet | date=28 March 2024 }}</ref>

Tamagotchi Paradise is a new Tamagotchi device released internationally in July 2025 and later released in the United States in August 2025. It features a zoom dial. Over time the Tamagotchi has morphed into a sort of little person you raise. However, the Tamagotchi Paradise has reverted to a little pet of sorts, much to the delight of fans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=Tamagotchi Paradise looks like the most exciting virtual pet toy in years |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/tamagotchi-paradise-looks-like-the-most-exciting-virtual-pet-toy-in-years-155010892.html |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Special and licensed Tamagotchis ===
Bandai has also released various special editions of "Tamagotchi Nano" licensed from other media and franchises. Most of these were released in Japan but some have also been marketed internationally, especially in the 2020s. Examples of these Tamagotchis include ones based on characters/franchises [[Gudetama]], [[Neon Genesis Evangelion]], [[Hello Kitty]] (to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanrio Autumn: Celebrate 50 Years of Hello Kitty with Tamagotchi! {{!}} News {{!}} Tamagotchi Uni {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/us/series/uni/news/02_467/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Sanrio Autumn: Celebrate 50 Years of Hello Kitty with Tamagotchi! {{!}} News {{!}} Tamagotchi Uni {{!}} Official Tamagotchi Site |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Pac-Man]] (to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-24 |title=We've Been Waiting 40 Years For This Pac-Man Tamagotchi To Be Released |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/weve_been_waiting_40_years_for_this_pac-man_tamagotchi_to_be_released |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[Jurassic World]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=» Gudetama Tamagotchi|date=21 January 2020|url=https://www.bandai.com/brands/tamagotchi/gudetama-tamagotchi/|access-date=2020-09-02|language=en|archive-date=2020-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810020028/https://www.bandai.com/brands/tamagotchi/gudetama-tamagotchi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Marketing and other media==
[[File:Tamagotchi store.jpg|thumb|Tamagotchi Store]]
[[File:Boeing 777 of Japan Airlines painted TAMAGOCCHI.jpg|thumb|A [[Japan Airlines]] [[Boeing 777]] painted with a Tamagotchi theme in 2006]]

===Video games===
Since its debut, Tamagotchi has also made its way onto several gaming platforms. Several early games feature gameplay similar to the original toys: an enhanced version of the original 1996/1997 Tamagotchi would be released for mobile phones as a [[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java]] game in 2005,<ref name=":6">{{cite web | title=Bandai Networks, Bandai S.A. and Living Mobile collaborate on the European release of the mobile version of 'Tamagotchi' | website=bandainamco.co.jp | publisher=Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. | date=2005-12-05 | url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/releases/images/3/25977.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230121531/https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/releases/images/3/25977.pdf | archive-date=2005-12-30 | url-status=live | access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref> then in 2013 as an [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] app named "Tamagotchi L.i.f.e.".

A few [[Party game|party-style games]] appeared on major consoles, along with the ''Corner Shop'' series of simulation games and a few role-playing games for the [[Nintendo DS]].<ref name="TamVidGames">{{cite web |url=http://www.ds-tamagotch.com/ |title=たまごっちのゲーム総合サイト |language=ja |trans-title=Comprehensive game site of Tamagotchi}}</ref> An arcade machine known as TamaStation is available in Japan from which players can win prizes for their Tamagotchi toy. This machine has several sequels, such as TamaStation 2.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

The character Mametchi makes an appearance in [[Bandai Namco Entertainment|Namco Bandai]]/[[Nintendo]]'s ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'' as a playable character,<ref name="siliconera1" /> along with his pet, Bagubagutchi, as an item. Mametchi and Yumemitchi also appeared in the [[arcade game]] ''[[Taiko no Tatsujin]]'' as unlockable costumes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Console and handheld games based on Tamagotchi
! Game !! Device !! Distribution !! Release
!Sales
|-
| {{nihongo|''Tamagotchi''|[[:ja:ゲームで発見!!たまごっち|Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi]]}} || [[Game Boy]] || International || 1997
|3,000,000<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Allison |first=Anne |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mbkwDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA292 |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |date=2006-06-30 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |isbn=978-0-520-24565-5 |pages=292}}</ref>
|-
| ''Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi V2'' || Game Boy || Japan || 1997
|5,450,000<ref name="jpplatinum">{{cite web|title=Japan Platinum Game Chart|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml|publisher=The Magic Box|access-date=April 25, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| ''Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi Osutchi to Mesutchi'' || Game Boy || Japan || 1997
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi 64: Minna de Tamagotchi World]]'' || [[Nintendo 64]] || Japan || 1997
|
|-
| ''Hoshi de Hakken!! Tamagotchi'' || [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] || Japan || 1998
|
|-
| ''Sega Saturn de Hakken!! Tamagotchi Park'' || [[Sega Saturn]] || Japan || 1998
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi Town'' || [[Super Famicom]] || Japan || 1999
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop]]'' || Nintendo DS || International || 2005
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2]]'' || Nintendo DS || International || 2006
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi: Party On!]]'' || [[Wii]] || International || 2006
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3]]'' || Nintendo DS || International || 2007
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi no Furifuri Kagekidan'' || Wii || Japan || 2007
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi no Narikiri Channel'' || Nintendo DS || Japan || 2009
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi no Narikiri Challenge'' || Nintendo DS || Japan || 2010
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi Collection'' || Nintendo DS || Japan || 2011
|
|-
| ''Ouchi Mainichi Tamagotchi'' || [[Nintendo 3DS]] || Japan || 2012
|
|-
| ''[[Tamagotchi Plaza]]'' || [[Nintendo Switch]], [[Nintendo Switch 2]] || International || 2025
|
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Mobile and PC games based on Tamagotchi
! Game !! OS/Device !! Distribution !! Release
!Sales
|-
| ''Tamagotchi CD-ROM'' || [[Macintosh]], [[Apple Pippin|Pippin]], [[Windows 95]] || International || 1997
|50,000<ref name=":0" />
|-
|''Tamagotchi''
|[[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java (mobile phones)]]
|Europe
|2005
|
|-
|''Tamagotchi Soccer''
|[[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java (mobile phones)]]
|
|2006
|
|-
|''Tamagotchi Angel''
|[[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java (mobile phones)]]
|
|2007
|
|-
|''Tamagotchi Monster''
|[[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java (mobile phones)]]
|
|2008
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi L.I.F.E.'' || [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iPod Touch]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]], || &nbsp; || 2013
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi L.I.F.E. Angel'' ||[[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[IPod Touch (6th generation)|iPod Touch]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]]||&nbsp; || 2013
|
|-
| ''Tamagotchi L.I.F.E. Tap and Hatch'' ||[[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[IPod|iPod Touch]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]]||&nbsp; || 2013
|
|-
|Tamagotchi Classic -Original-
|[[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[IPod|iPod Touch]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]]
|
|2015
|
|-
| ''My Tamagotchi Forever''
|[[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[IPod|iPod Touch]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]]
|
|2018 
|
|-
|''Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom''<ref name="bandai-tamagotchi-adventure-kingdom">{{cite web | url=https://toy.bandai.co.jp/topics/detail/3440/ | title=『たまごっちアドベンチャーキングダム』が配信決定！ | publisher=[[Bandai]] | date=2023-12-13 | access-date=2023-12-20 | language=Japanese}}</ref>
|[[Apple TV (device)|Apple TV]], [[iPad]], [[iPhone]], [[macOS]]
|[[Apple Arcade]]
|2024
|
|}

===Film===
On June 5, 2007, it was announced by [[Reuters]] that an animated Tamagotchi film was to be released in December 2007. The film, ''[[Tamagotchi: The Movie]]'', focuses on Mametchi, along with his friends Memetchi and Kuchipatchi. Introduced are Tanpopo, a human girl who Mametchi accidentally transports to the Tamagotchi Planet; and Chamametchi, the younger sister of Mametchi, who is born during the film's events. ''Tamagotchi: The Movie'' was released on December 15, 2007, and was distributed by [[Toho|Toho Co.]] The film opened at number 3 at the box office on opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-17/japanese-box-office-december-15-16-tamagotchi-at-no.3 |title=Japanese Box Office, December 15–16: Tamagotchi at #3 |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref> On May 31, 2008, [[North America]]n distributor [[Bandai Visual|Bandai Entertainment]] announced they had acquired the rights to the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-30/bandai-entertaiment-gets-tamagotchi-feature-film |title=Bandai Entertainment Gets Tamagotchi Feature Film |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref> The movie's first English release was a direct-to-DVD version, released on June 3, 2009, in Australia by [[Madman Entertainment]]. The UK DVD was released on September 14, 2009, via Manga Entertainment.

On December 20, 2008, a second film, known as ''[[Tamagotchi: Happiest Story in the Universe!]]'' was released into theaters. This film, introducing a new Tamagotchi known as Hapihapitchi, was later released on DVD, on June 26, 2009. Unlike the first film, no English dub was ever released on any home video formats, but an English dub aired on television in the Philippines. [[Madman Entertainment]] intended to dub ''Happiest Story in the Universe!'', but the dub was cancelled for unknown reasons.

On November 1, 2016, Bandai announced a new Tamagotchi short film called ''Tamagotchi: Secret Delivery Operation''. The film was theatrically released alongside the ''[[Kamisama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama]]'' film on April 28, 2017, and was included in the ''Cocotama'' movie's DVD released on December 6, 2017. The short film once again follows Mametchi and his friends, assigned to make an essential delivery to the Gotchi King when a giant mechanical claw controlled by the Spacy Brothers intervenes with the delivery.

In the 2022 film ''[[Turning Red]]'', which was set in 2002, the main protagonist Meilin "Mei" Lee owns a Tamagotchi that she names "Robaire Junior", after one of the members of her favorite band. This was inspired by director [[Domee Shi]]'s desire to have a Tamagotchi when she was younger.

===Anime===
A Japanese-only [[anime]] series called ''Anime TV de Hakken!! Tamagotchi'' (アニメ TVで発見!! たまごっち, lit. "Found on Anime TV!! Tamagotchi") aired from July 7, 1997, to March 21, 1998, on Fuji TV.

In December 2007, Bandai Japan began airing ''Saa Ikō! Tamagotchi'' (さぁイコー！たまごっち) a week before the release of the first film. In December 2008, Bandai America dubbed the series, ''Let's Go! Tamagotchi'', and began streaming it on [[YouTube]] in both English and Japanese, with captions for up to seven other languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-13/bandai-streams-tamagotchi-in-seven-languages-for-free |title=Bandai Streams Tamagotchi in Seven Languages for Free |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref>

In 2009, another anime television series was announced, called [[Tamagotchi! (TV series)|''Tamagotchi!'' (たまごっち!)]]. It began in October 2009 and ended in March 2015. A short-lived English dub of the Tamagotchi anime aired in Australia on channel [[9Go!|GO!]] from 2010 to 2014; only the first 26 episodes have been dubbed, and were repeated until 2014, when GO! took the anime out of their channel. The anime has been dubbed in Tagalog in the Philippines, with said dub airing on [[GMA Network]]. There is also a dub in Taiwan that aired on YoYo TV.

From November 23, 2013, to December 2014, Bandai America adapted the second Tamagotchi anime, ''[[Tamagotchi! (TV series)|Tamagotchi! Yume Kira Dream]]'', into "webisodes" promoting the then-latest addition to the franchise outside Japan, ''Tamagotchi Friends''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://us.tamagotchifriends.com/2013/11/22/bandai-to-launch-tamagotchi-friends/ |title=Bandai To Launch Tamagotchi® Friends™ |publisher=Bandai |date=2013-11-22 |access-date=2014-07-28 |archive-date=2014-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810184938/http://us.tamagotchifriends.com/2013/11/22/bandai-to-launch-tamagotchi-friends/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Animated video===
An animated video, ''Tamagotchi Video Adventures'', was produced by 7th Level, Inc. in association with Bandai in 1997. {{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} It was directed by Dan Kuenster, produced by Susan Deming and written by Kuenster, Deming, and David Lewman. It runs approximately {{frac|42|1|2}} minutes long. Cosmotchi sends the Tamagotchi to Earth to collect an object that best exemplifies the planet for the Tamagotchi Museum. An original animated music video ("What's a Tamagotchi?") and a how-to-draw Tamagotchi featurette, starring director Kuenster, follow the movie.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}}

===Music===
{{In popular culture|section|date=February 2021}}

* [[Momus (musician)|Momus]]'s 1997 album ''[[Ping Pong (Momus album)|Ping Pong]]'' features a song called "Tamagotchi Press Officer", which mocked Bandai's advertising strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imomus.com/pingpongsong.html |title=Song By Song Guide To Ping Pong|publisher=imomus.com |access-date=2015-01-21}}</ref>
* The song "[[Tamagotchi (Tschoopapa...)]]" was produced by the music band [[Sqeezer]] in 1997.
* In Japan, the band Kigurumi, after gaining new members and becoming a trio, released their single "Tamagotchi" on November 21, 2007, which was also the theme music for the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-2037 |title=Kigurumi gains two members |publisher=Tokyograph |date=2007-11-08 |access-date=2013-08-02}}</ref> It was dubbed in English along with the English dub of the movie.
* The [[Eurodance]] group [[Daze (band)|Daze]] song entitled "Together Forever" uses many Tamagotchi references.
* The Los Angeles-based pop duo [[Looner (band)|LOONER]] released their tribute to the toy in May 2009 with the single "I Love My Tamagotchee!".<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/DZTU9iGdEwU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130214192528/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTU9iGdEwU Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTU9iGdEwU |title=LOONER "I Love My Tamagotchee!" Music Video |date=8 May 2009 |publisher=Youtube.com |access-date=2013-08-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* The Filipino band [[Eraserheads]] made a song called "[[Aloha Milkyway|Tamagotchi Baby]]" on their [[Aloha Milkyway]] album.
* The German band "[[Die Ärzte]]" also made a song called "Tamagotchi".
* The French singer [[Lorie (singer)|Lorie]] made a song called "La TamaDance" in 2014 to the contest TamaDance.
* ''[[Tamagotchi! (TV series)|Tamagotchi!]]'', the anime based on Tamagotchi, also features numerous original songs, most of which are performed by the Japanese voice actress [[Kei Shindō]] as the [[Japanese idol|pop idol]] character Lovelitchi.
* Polish rapper duo Taconafide ([[Taco Hemingway]] and [[Quebonafide]]) released their song ''Tamagotchi'' in 2018; it has reached the position 1 on many Polish charts.
* Ariana Grande's song "[[Baby I]]" was featured as the 2nd ending song in the ''Tamagotchi!'' anime.

=== Books ===
Many of the Tamagotchi collections included guidebooks, including but not limited to:

* {{Cite book |title=Tamagotchi Paradise Perfect Guide |publisher=Shogakukan |isbn=978-4-09-227439-6 |location=Japan |publication-date=July 12, 2025 |language=ja}}
* {{Cite book |title=Tamagotchi Research Report: Tamagotchi Book |publisher=Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. |isbn=978-4-19-720023-8 |location=Japan |publication-date=August 1997 |language=ja}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Official Tamagotchi Pet Care Guide and Record Book |publisher=Virgin Books |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-7535-0210-5}}
* Tamagotchi Angel Guidebook
* Tamagotchi Uni Guidebook
* {{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bandai-tamagotchi-p1-1996/mode/2up |title=Tamagotchi P1 Keychain User Guide |publisher=Bandai |year=1996}}
* Tamagotchi: Osutchi & Mesutchi Guidebook

* Glitter Tamagotchi P's Training Book, including a Wonder Life special
* The Tamagotchi Encyclopedia
* Learn everything about Tamagotchi with this book (たまごっちのことが全部わかる本 )
* For the 20th anniversary, Tamagotchi released the Tamagotchi Corner Shop 20th Anniversary Official Fanbook during June 2025 in Japan

==Reception and impact==
{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 25%
| text = When we were stuck on talk of the spectacular 3D graphics of ''[[Mario 64]]'' and racing games, we saw a huge hit in the form of Tamagotchi — a tiny key chain boasting pictures made up of no more than 10 or 20 dots. At that time, I thought that ''Mario 64'' had lost to Tamagochi{{Sic}}. [laughs. Miyamoto quickly adds in English: "I'm serious."]
| source = —[[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<ref name="GDC: Miyamoto Keynote">{{cite web | title=GDC: Miyamoto Keynote Speech | date=March 18, 1999 | author1=IGN Staff | first2=Shigeru | last2=Miyamoto | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/03/19/gdc-miyamoto-keynote-speech | access-date=October 23, 2017 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
}}

The Tamagotchi was extremely popular globally in 1997-1998 having been referred to as becoming a "pop culture phenomenon".<ref name=":3" /> The success of the Tamagotchi led to the electronic pet being appointed the [[Christmas Gift of the Year]] by the Swedish Retail Institute in November 1997.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.svd.se/a/f56d764d-ee43-3eb9-919d-c874ea9b3a20/arets-julklapp-den-markligaste-hittills|title=Minns du årets julklapp genom åren?|publisher=Svenska Dagbladet|author=Katarina Stintzing|language=English|date=24 November 2014|access-date=20 April 2022}}</ref> The toy was especially popular among the high school girls and young women demographics.<ref name=":8" /> It also spawned the virtual pet genre and led to many knock-off products or imitators at the time, such as Tiger/Hasbro's [[Giga Pets|Giga Pet]].<ref name=":3" />

During the peak of the original toy's fad, children frequently took Tamagotchi digital pets to [[school]] because in the first two releases (Generation 1 and Generation 2), a character could die in less than half a day if it did not receive adequate care. Teachers expressed concerns over class disruption as well as general distraction from schoolwork and this eventually led many schools to ban the product.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barayuga |first=Debra |date=2 June 1997 |title=Electronic Pets Peep Their Last at Isle Schools |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/97/06/02/news/story2.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |volume=2 |issue=109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990129010500/http://starbulletin.com/97/06/02/news/story2.html |archive-date=29 January 1999}}</ref><ref name="NGen34" /> Children became emotional over the deaths of their Tamagotchi, leading to teenagers sending them to graveyards for burial and urban legends of teen suicide, such as an alleged case of a teenage girl hanging herself over the death of her Tamagotchi after her parents took it away as a punishment.<ref name="NGen34" />[[File:Tamagotchi Official shop in Harajuku 20121019 2.jpg|thumb|The Tamagotchi Official Shop in [[Harajuku]], Tokyo]]

The Tamagotchi became popular again in the mid-2000s after the release of [[Tamagotchi Connection]], especially among teens and [[Preadolescence|tweens]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bandai to Release Tamagotchi on DS - Press Release |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/10890/bandai-to-release-tamagotchi-on-ds |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Nintendo World Report}}</ref> New [[online communities]] also popped up for fans and enthusiasts of Tamagotchi, such as the TamaTalk forum that launched in 2004 and the long-running fan-made blog Tama-Palace.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-27 |title=The Underground World of Tamagotchi Collectors |url=https://www.theringer.com/2017/03/27/tech/tamagotchi-collectors-bandai-digital-pets-9b946143c747 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=www.theringer.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9"/> In Tokyo, Bandai opened a Tamagotchi Department Store in 2007.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Trends |first=Japan |title=Bandai's Tamagotchi Revival: One-hit wonder is still alive and kicking |url=https://www.japantrends.com/tamagotchi-revival/ |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=Japan Trends |language=en-US}}</ref> While Tamagotchi continued to be relevant in Japan during early 2010s, the product was no longer being pushed by Bandai overseas.<ref name=":10" />

The toy had a second revival in the early 2020s after the global release of the Tamagotchi ON, Tamagotchi Pix and several pop culture crossover Tamagotchi Nano models.<ref name=":9" /> Between 2022 and 2023, global sales doubled. The reason for this seems to be for nostalgia and is driven by both millennials and a new audience of young people who were not around during the toy's original run of the late 90s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title=Tamagotchi gets first UK store as global sales double |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0zedgdvdlo |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> This led to the openings of official retail Tamagotchi Shops as part of Bandai Namco Cross Stores. The first pop-up store in [[Tokyo]] became permanent in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=「バンダイナムコ Cross Store 東京」内で展開中の #たまごっち のコーナーがオフィシャルショップに！|trans-title=The Tamagotchi corner currently open inside 'Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo' has become an official shop! |url=https://x.com/tmgc_net/status/1772186665160786373 |publisher=Tamagotchi Official X}}</ref> The Tamagotchi Shop also opened in [[London]] and [[Madrid]] with further expansion to America and other places.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menéndez |first=Helena |date=2024-12-30 |title=Tamagotchi creators open a temple for geeks with gashapon machines |url=https://madridsecreto.co/en/first-bandai-store-in-madrid/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Madrid Secreto |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamagotchi Shop {{!}} Site officiel Tamagotchi |url=https://tamagotchi-official.com/fr/shoplist/ |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=Tamagotchi Shop {{!}} Site officiel Tamagotchi |language=fr}}</ref>

In 2025, [[The Strong National Museum of Play]] inducted Tamagotchi into its [[World Video Game Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=World Video Game Hall of Fame inducts Defender, Tamagotchi, GoldenEye 007 and Quake |url=https://apnews.com/article/video-game-hall-of-fame-defender-tamagotchi-2e4ad6ec2258d482dc3a34ed324ee7f5 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> Kristy Hisert of The Strong Museum said Tamagotchi "provided players with feelings of connection, caring, and customization, a respite from competition and fighting games. The legacy of ''Tamagotchi'' can be seen in the popular pet simulation games that followed[...] throughout the subsequent years."<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025 World Video Game Hall of Fame Inductees Announced |url=https://www.museumofplay.org/press-release/2025-world-video-game-hall-of-fame-inductees-announced/ |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=The Strong National Museum of Play |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Sales numbers ===
Bandai sold 400,000 units in 1996, increasing to {{Nowrap|10 million}} by July 1997 and {{Nowrap|13 million}} by October 1997. By Spring 1998, nearly {{Nowrap|40 million}} units were sold worldwide, including {{Nowrap|20 million}} in Japan and nearly {{Nowrap|20 million}} overseas.<ref name=":0" /> In the first two years following Tamagotchi's release, Bandai had sold {{nowrap|40 million}} units.<ref name="Fact">{{cite book |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/10492?entry_id=7280 |title=Fact Book 2021 |date=2021 |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Group]] |pages=3–6 |access-date=2 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019230136/https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/10492?entry_id=7280 |archive-date=19 October 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

As of December 2005, over 15 million units of the Tamagotchi Connection/Plus had been sold.<ref name=":6" /> This number rose to 20 million by 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamagotchi lays golden eggs for Bandai |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tamagotchi-lays-golden-eggs-for-bandai/1100-6147574/ |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

By 2010, after the release of newer Tamagotchi models, over 76 million Tamagotchis had been sold worldwide.<ref><!-- Figure seems to be a synthesis drawn from this report, but one tally was  specific 80 million worldwide -->{{cite web |date=2010-01-31 |title="Tamagotchi iD L" March 19th sale! |url=http://www.bandai.co.jp/press/images/3/60294.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523171248/http://www.bandai.co.jp/press/images/3/60294.pdf |archive-date=2017-05-23 |access-date=2010-02-20 |publisher=Bandai |language=ja}}</ref> By 2017, over {{nowrap|82 million}} units had been sold worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Tamagotchi 20th Anniversary Edition! |url=https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/5986?entry_id=5435 |publisher=[[Bandai]]}}</ref> {{As of|2021|3}}, Bandai Namco has sold {{nowrap|83.73 million}} Tamagotchi units.<ref name="Fact" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Toys|1990s}}
* ''[[Digital Monster (virtual pet)|Digimon]]''—A similar digital pet by Bandai
* [[Furby]]—A 1990s toy with a similar market and a robotic feature with simulated speech and movement
* ''[[Fin Fin on Teo the Magic Planet]]''—A similar digital pet game
* [[Giga Pet]]—A brand of virtual pets released by [[Tiger Electronics]] to compete with the Tamagotchi
* [[Neopets]]—A type of online browser based [[virtual pet]]
* ''[[Pixel Chix]]'' —A similar toy aimed at girls
* ''[[Pokémon Pikachu]]''—A similar line of digital pets by Nintendo
* ''[[Pou (video game)|Pou]]''—A Tamagotchi clone where the user cares for a simulated creature
* [[Tamagotchi effect]]—A psychological effect named after the digital pet
* ''[[Tuttuki Bako]]''—A similar Bandai release

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Tamagotchi|state=expanded}}
{{Franchises owned by Bandai Namco Holdings}}
{{Bandai Namco Hardware}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}

[[Category:Tamagotchi| ]]
[[Category:1990s fads and trends]]
[[Category:1990s toys]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:2000s fads and trends]]
[[Category:2000s toys]]
[[Category:2010s fads and trends]]
[[Category:2010s toys]]
[[Category:2020s fads and trends]]
[[Category:2020s toys]]
[[Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises]]
[[Category:Bandai brands]]
[[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial species and races]]
[[Category:Handheld electronic games]]
[[Category:Handheld virtual pets]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1996]]
[[Category:Toy controversies]]
[[Category:World Video Game Hall of Fame]]