Tamagotchi, from the 90s, returns to Brazil with a new look – 09/06/2023 – Tech

New Tamagotchis will arrive in Brazil in the first global release of the toy, announced by the game manufacturer Bandai Namco. The re-release of the virtual pets popular in the 1990s is scheduled for July 15th.

Bandai Namco has yet to release pricing for the release called Tamagotchi Uni. Pre-sales will be made through the Toymania online store. The device, in addition to the traditional keychain format, can be attached to a watch strap and will have access to a metaverse of animals — the Tamaverso, where it will be possible to interact with other users.

Until 2022, when the Japanese producer brought to Brazil a reissue of the original Tamagotchi from 1997, the device had never been officially sold in the country. Here, the success of the brand came at the heels of Chinese alternative products, sold at lower prices.

The Japanese producer introduced the device to the market in its home country in November 1996, before taking it to other countries in 1997. Since launch, 91 million sales have been made, according to Bandai Namco. The device was the first contact of many children with the digital world.

The original, imported version sold for R$55 at the former Mappin department store in 1997, when the minimum wage was R$120.

The virtual pets were pixelated drawings, with a useful life of 28 days, if the owner took all the necessary precautions not to let the animal die. They evolved into seven different characters, according to the creation they received from their owners.

If the Tamagotchi died, just click on the start button to bring a new one to life.

The Chinese versions were simpler and contained other characters. These alternative products, however, remain cheaper.

The original Tamagotchi is sold for prices starting at R$ 230 on Amazon. Exclusive versions of the game can cost more than BRL 1,000 on the marketplace. Toymania also sells a version of Tamagotchi with the original 1997 configuration for R$229.

Similar ones sold under the name “virtual pet” cost between R$39 and R$49.

The new Tamagotchis have fluid and colorful graphics. The latest version of Tamagotchi, called Pix, has 25 characters and costs US$39.99 (about R$200). It’s cheaper than a newly released game for current consoles, which sells for around $70.

Tamagotchi Uni will also feature over 20 adult characters. The simple three-button design remains the same.

The professor of international relations at Ibmec in Rio de Janeiro Tanguy Baghdadi, 38, owned a Tamagotchi in his youth and gave a more recent version of the game to his daughter Dora, 9. He created a condition for the gift: the child does not take him to school to avoid distractions during class.

It was Baghdadi, however, who ended up distracted. “Now I look after her Tamagotchi while I teach,” he says.

In addition to the traditional game, Bandai Namco released some special editions in partnership with other characters, such as Hello Kitty and Pac Man. These versions come with unique minigames.

The popular cartoons and games from the Digimon saga emerged as a spin off of Tamagotchi, when Bandai Namco decided to create pets capable of battling. Digital monsters also evolved as they were treated and trained by their owners.

Tamagotchi Uni will also have dance minigames, restaurant and seasonal events. The current version is also connected to a virtual environment — the Tamaverso, where it is possible to interact with other pets.

The game will be available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese.