If you were a kid in the ’90s, you almost certainly had a Tamagotchi. These virtual pets were all the rage, requiring children to feed, walk, and care for the animal. Now, 20 years later, they’re poised to make a comeback. For anyone who loved their virtual pet, this is fantastic news.
The original Tamagotchi made its debut back in 1996. The name comes from the Japanese word for “egg” (
Long before cell phones, Tamagotchis were the obsession of middle school and high school kids everywhere. They were actually banned from some schools because they were such a distraction.
They proved to be a major distraction because the virtual pets required constant attention. The owners had to feed the Tamagotchi when it was hungry, clean up after it went to the bathroom, and play with it so it wouldn’t get bored. If they didn’t care for the pet, it would either die or run away. In the first and second generation of Tamagotchis, the pet would run away in as little as half a day if not properly cared for.
Because of that, kids were constantly monitoring their Tamagotchis. It might sound silly, but it was easy to get very attached to these virtual pets. The owner would care for the Tamagotchi from
Many parents loved these toys because they showed the child how difficult it was to care for an animal. Instead of getting a puppy, the parent could give the child a Tamagotchi. If the child showed that they were up to the responsibility of caring for a virtual pet, maybe they could handle a real animal.
Now a whole new generation of children will get a chance to care for a Tamagotchi. Bandai, the manufacturer, has announced plans to bring back the original six Tamagotchis, complete with the lo-fi screens. Although there have been newer Tamagotchis, none have proven to be as popular as the first generation.
This Tamagotchi will come on a keychain, just like it did back in the day. You can take this pet with you wherever you go and show it off to your friends. Although the company has been updating this toy for the last 20 years, this will be the first time the classic has been reintroduced.
Right now, this reissued Tamagotchi is only available in Japan. There are no immediate plans to bring this toy to the United States, but if it’s popular, it’s hard to imagine Bandai will ignore American demand. If you want one now, it will cost you about $18, plus international shipping. That may be a small price to pay to relive your childhood!