Tamagotchi returns: a new generation of the famous toy has been released
The Japanese company Bandai has introduced a new generation of children's toy Tamagotchi with a virtual pet - Tamagotchi Uni.
The updated tamagotchi is a gadget that attaches to a rubber bracelet and is worn like a wristwatch. The device is equipped with Wi-Fi and a 2.25-inch color LCD display. The device is charged via the USB-C port.
Tamagotchi now allows users to access the brand's own metaverse to interact with other people's virtual pets. In multiplayer mode, characters can be dressed up, taken to visit, sent on trips, introduced to other pets and even create families with them.
Buyers will have access to more than 20 different characters for education. In Tamagotchi Uni, you can also play mini-games and earn points for it.
The device will go on sale in Japan, China and the USA on July 15. Its cost will be $59.99. Bandai Namco announced this on the official website.
The first tamagotchi appeared on sale in 1996. The pocket toy was in the shape of an egg, because tamago is Japanese for "egg", and "otchi" appeared as a derivative of the English "watch".
Ankihio Yokoi came up with the toy, inspired by a story about a boy who was forbidden to take a turtle on a trip. It turned out not just a pocket carrier with three buttons, but a full-fledged universe with a plot and characters, which also gave rise to a lot of simplified fakes.
Tamagotchi, though noticeably lost popularity in 26 years, seems to be an indestructible thing and has experienced reincarnations in 2017, 2019 and 2021. However, they are no longer so zealously bought: in four years — from 2017 to 2021, only 1.73 million copies were sold in the world, and from 1996 to 2017 — 82 million. However, then it cost four times cheaper.
