The makers of the original Tamagotchi ‘pet’ are following in the footsteps of other tech relics, like the Nokia 3310, with a relaunch of the nostalgic game.
Japan-based toy company, Bandai who is responsible for the pocket pet craze, released a game modeled after the original Tamagotchi – but, for now, the original Tamagotchi is only available in Japan.
The Tamagotchi is back!! (But, only in Japan for now) pic.twitter.com/DC1sAJxhy8
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) April 11, 2017
The first Tamagotchi made its debut in 1996 in Japan and in America in 1997. The pixelated game went on to become one of the most popular games in South Africa as well as in other parts of the world.
Kids and teenagers couldn’t get enough of the game and eagerly waited for their Tamagotchi eggs to hatch. Tamagotchi users had to feed their pet, play with it and even pick up its droppings with the help of three tiny rubber buttons.
If you didn’t take care off your pet, it eventually died.
According to The Telegraph, the re-released version of the Tamagotchi stays true to the original with its monochromatic display and six original Tamagotchi characters, even though it is a bit smaller.
Does anyone of these characters look familiar to you?
Through the years, new versions of the craze was released. If you need to keep yourself busy during the day, you can buy one of the new versions on Amazon. The original is only available on Amazon Japan for 2,000 yen at the moment.
The relaunch sparked a wildfire on social media as users couldn’t help but reminisce over the past:
RT if you had a Tamagotchi! pic.twitter.com/RBcunL4zoa
— The 90s Life (@The90sLife) April 13, 2017
All these kids about to learn real heartbreak when they come home to their dead tamagotchi. pic.twitter.com/9lV8wj97au
— Bradley Hadrian (@bradley_hadrian) April 13, 2017
They’re bringing #tamagotchi back because millenials can’t afford to have real children.
— Jen Lap (@jennifer_lap) April 12, 2017
thinking of simpler times #tamagotchi pic.twitter.com/K3wPec8mqU
— Marlowe Dobbe (@marlowedobbe) April 11, 2017
Anyone still have an original #Tamagotchi lying around? #NationalPetDay pic.twitter.com/Uo8vhMTshQ
— EB Games Canada (@EBGamesCanada) April 11, 2017
