Relive Your Childhood With the Official Re-Release of the Original Tamagotchi
Every generation has THAT toy that seems to define it. In the late 90’s, that toy was the Tamagotchi digital pet. These hand sized, egg-shaped pocket games held digitized creatures that players could raise over time. They did not have save or pause functions, meaning children were required to take care of them as if they were a real living pet – otherwise, the pet would die. Over time the toys evolved and other functions were added. Even today, the Tamagotchi line is still around, though they don’t have the same presence as in the early years of this craze. That may change with the return of the Original Tamagotchi.
In order to celebrate the original Tamagotchi’s worldwide release in May of 1997, Bandai is officially re-releasing the product. The re-released Tamagotchis feature the original graphics, pets, and shape, though the pieces themselves are a bit smaller than the originals. Unfortunately, Japan is the only place these original Tamagotchis are available. This is, of course, the company’s home and where the craze all started, so it only makes sense that the celebration would occur there. With a little digging, it is possible to get them outside of the home country by going through Amazon Japan. It will cost around 17.50 USD plus shipping to go this route, but there is no price tag for nostalgia. Maybe there will be a worldwide re-release at some point, we’ll keep you posted.
Today’s more modern Tamagotchis can get married, have children, gain careers, skills, and more. Players are able to earn in-game currency which can be used to buy outfits, accessories, food, decorations, and more for their pets. When the Tamagotchi pets were first released, these creatures were fairly basic. Players could meet up with others and link their Tamagotchi creatures together in a sort of playdate to form friendships with others. They could be fed and played with and would grow over time and eventually, sadly, die. During its early days, it became a major craze among kids – the portable pet-caring games were on every kid’s backpack back in the day.
Are you excited for the re-release of the beloved Tamagotchi? Were you one of those super hip kids that had one in every colour? Tell us your nostalgic stories in the comment section below to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of this blast-from-the-past toy. As always, don’t forget to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter for 24/7 coverage of all things gaming and entertainment.
Chris Calles1560 Posts
Known as "Stash" or Yippee Calles. He's a student of everything, avid adrenaline junkie, and creator of random things. When he's not delving into a game, book, or movie - He's out teaching himself new things or taking part in some pretty epic adventures. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.
