Remember Tamagotchi, the popular 1990s game where you had to feed and care for a virtual pet lest it die? It’s now return as an app for smartphones! Before we go into the app, let’s revise how does the digital handheld pets evolve.
Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi was first sold by Bandai in 1996 in Japan. As of 2010, over 76 million Tamagotchis have been sold world-wide. Most Tamagotchis are housed in a small egg-shaped computer with an interface usually consisting of three buttons, although the number of buttons may vary for different variations.[more…]
Digital Monster
The Digital Monster was a spin-off of the Tamagotch. It spawned the Digimon franchise. It was similar to earlier virtual pets with the distinctions of being a fighting pet that could connect with others like it.
Happy Pet
The Happy Pet is similar to Bandai’s previous release, the Tamagotchi. It is a pixelised creature housed in a computer worn around the wrist. Unlike Tamagotchi, which involves raising imaginary creatures, the Happy Pet involves raising a real-life animal. It operates on a touch screen. The touch screen enables the user to stroke the pet to either praise, discipline or cure the pet. The pet has intelligence and friendliness levels, depending on how well the user looks after it. However, the Happy Pet does not evolve. The three buttons can be used to feed the pet or play games with it. The buttons can also be used to see what the pet is currently thinking or feeling.
Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App
Earlier in the year, Bandai has created the first ever Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App, based on the original virtual pet for free. It’s just like the virtual pet you loved, only better; it’s in COLOR, features more characters and higher resolution and a place to keep your Tamagotchi collection. It’s applicable for ANDROID smartphone and tablet. However, this App is currently available in the United States and Canada.
TechPet
Bandai also released a new version of TechPet, a toy that turns your iPhone into a dog. You can download the free TechPet app and take care of your animal on your iPhone or iPod Touch, but once you plug the device into your headphone jack, the pet comes to life. Your iPhone’s screen becomes the puppy’s face and the rest of the body responds to your actions.
