This autumn marks 20 years since the day the first Tamagotchi was invented.
During this time, Tamagotchi became extremely popular among children and even adults.
This toy is known and loved not only in Japan but also in many other countries around the world.
But how did its story begin, and what is its present?
The Story
The idea of this toy belonged to the well-known Japanese company Bandai.
At first it was a game for the portable console Game Boy from Nintendo.
Game Cartridge was equipped with EEPROM-memory, low-power processor, speaker and clock.
The virtual pet actually lived by itself inside the cartridge.
Later there has been adjusted the release of the separate gaming units, which were cheap in manufacturing and were themselves a complete game.
Such units gained extraordinary popularity around the world.
Children perceived virtual pet, which should be well cared and looked after, as a real one.
Tamagotchi taught them to be responsible and caring, and very often can fully replace the real pet, when parents, for whatever reason, could not buy it.
The Game
As the proverb goes, "Simple is best".
The gameplay of Tamagotchi is simple, but very interesting.
With the characters background story being the same in all models of the game ( the aliens arrive on Earth and leave the egg in order to observe the life of earthlings), the game begins with the small creature hatching from the egg.
Player takes care of it and it starts to grow, going through several stages of development.
Depending on the model of the game, the types of care might differ.
Some of the gaming units, which are equipped with infrared rays, also allow introducing two different Tamagotchi to each other, which may subsequently become friends or get married.
The New
Bandai is constantly releasing new models of the game with various additions and characters.
The release of next Tamagotchi, more colourful and interesting, has been already planned for the second half of July 2016.
(You will be able to order this Tamagotchi and look for other options in the Bandai official online store)
The Old
As the number of each model of the game is limited, Tamagotchi older models are hard to find in Bandai official store.
Some models are generally available only in the preloved variants.
But usually other Japanese stores just resell Tamagotchi.
For example, the pink model of Tamagotchi 4U + released in June 2015 is offered by 39 Japanese stores on Amazon.
(The item can be purchased here)
All in all, Amazon is the largest and most convenient trading platform to buy Tamagotchi.
There you can find all variety of new and used models both of the older generations and recently released.
The Goods
In addition to Tamagotchi, Bandai offers many other types of toys connected with virtual pets.
For example, very nice collectible plush toys made in the image of characters of Tamagotchi games can be bought in the official Bandai online shop.
(You can purchase the item here).
Moreover, Bandai also releases various bags, towels and mugs with a picture of the Tamagotchi characters, and bright and cheerful accessories for the gaming unit itself.
Bandai even plans to release special edition Tamagotchi-sets in mid-July 2016.
One set includes a lunchbox, an accessory to the gaming unit and Tamagotchi gaming unit itself.
Such set can be a great gift for a schoolchild.
(You can preorder this tamagotchi-set here)
The Tamagotchi
Despite the fact that the first release of Tamagotchi happened almost 20 years ago, the toy continues to develop and reveals its new and unexpected sides.
Tamagotchi has been influenced the culture of Japan for years.
There are lots of cartoon series and animated films about the Tamagotchi characters.
Some other electronic games are based on it.
Even worldwide known anime, such as ‘Digimon’, were created due to the creation of Tamagotchi.
At the same time different singers from all around the world perform songs about Tamagotchi.
Maybe, you also will find yourself in this game, which for so many years attracts the attention of millions of children and adults.