In 1996, the Tamagotchi (たまごっち) was launched in Japan by Bandai, the world’s first virtual pet. More than 40 million units were sold worldwide, 12 million alone in the United States and Canada.
The toy is quite simple, a small LCD screen, a sturdy colorful plastic casing, and a few buttons. The images displayed on the screen were very basic, just dots, but even with such simplicity, it managed to be attractive and fun.
The Tamagotchi was created by Yokoi Akihiro, motivated by seeing a child on TV trying to carry his pet turtle in a suitcase. So Yokoi thought of making a pet that could go with anyone, anywhere.
And that’s how the Tamagotchi was born, being launched on November 23, 1996. The following year, they came to the United States in packaging with eye-catching designs, becoming very successful. So much so that at its peak, 15 units were sold every minute.
Features and Popularity
The game starts with a small egg, from which a varied virtual animal hatches. It is necessary to take care of this animal, performing various functions such as feeding, playing with it, making it sleep, and maintaining its hygiene. If well cared for, the animal evolves in size and shape. But if the animal is neglected, it becomes ugly, rebellious, and can even die. If this happens, the player must start again with a new egg.
Even though Tamagotchis were virtual creatures living inside plastic keychains shaped like eggs, they truly became “alive.” Their behaviors created the illusion that they were real animals. This famous toy was very popular among children and teenagers. And unlike most games, it encouraged responsibility and hygienic and nutritional behavior.
Another differentiator was that it was popular with both boys and girls. Additionally, due to its small size, the owner could carry it anywhere, easily comparing their animals with friends. And to be successful, the child needed to be more attentive and responsible than violent.
But some critics pointed out problems with this toy. Many said that the toy created an unrealistic perception of death and distracted children too much. This led many schools in Japan and the United States to establish strict rules and even ban the toy.
Changes had to be made for the American audience, as the idea of virtual death was considered disturbing. Instead of dying, the characters of the next generation of Tamagotchis would pass to another world, sprouting angel wings and flying away.
Changes in Tamagotchi
The success of the toy was short-lived, reaching its peak two years after its launch, in 1998. The decline in sales was relatively quick due to many speculations. The drop in Tamagotchi sales was rapid worldwide. The previously mentioned ban on the toy in many schools discouraged parents from buying it for their children.
But despite various problems in sales and functionality, its developers did not stop evolving the toy. Soon they made Tamagotchis more interactive and enjoyable, even giving them more intelligence. This meant that the person did not need to pay as much attention as in previous versions.
New interactive features were added, such as infrared communication. This allowed the virtual pet to become friends with other Tamagotchis, even exchanging gifts.
The legacy created by Tamagotchi remains alive today in various forms. It opened the doors for mobile games, computer software, and even interactive children’s TV programs. One such example is the Pou app for Android and iOS, which has over 10 million downloads just on the Play Store. Because of this, 20 years after its launch, Bandai reintroduced the toy in 2017.
All of this shows that Tamagotchis were not just mere toys, but rather a new style of perception of “virtual life.” Did you ever have a Tamagotchi? Did you take care of it properly or let it die several times? Let us know in the comments and share with your friends.
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