Nostalgia is my saving grace. Some days, it’s one of many few issues preserving me going once I really feel like I’m hanging on by a thread. You may think about my delight when Bandai introduced it was re-releasing one among my favourite early-era Tamagotchi releases, the Tamagotchi Connection. This reprise from the mid-aughts options all the identical skills as the unique, together with lots of the identical video games and infrared connectivity with associates. It’s on sale July 10 for $30.
I’ve been utilizing—or slightly, elevating—the Tamagotchi Connection because it was introduced in Might. You’ll see within the pictures I included right here that it’s been well-loved—the display continues to be simply as liable to scratches as ever earlier than, so in case you’re planning on accumulating one of many six out there shells and utilizing it, make sure you additionally poke round for a third-party display protector. My playtime with it has been principally satisfying, although the final two weeks have felt like a chore preserving this factor alive. It’s been over a month, and I’m already trying ahead to taking the battery out.
A relic of the previous
The Tamagotchi Connection is exclusive as a result of it was the primary time the digital pet branched out of its typical beginning, existence, and procreation routine. That’s the programming on the traditional Tamagotchi, which is re-released in new shells almost yearly. In 2004, the Tamagotchi Connection V2—the unique I’ve in my collection—launched the Gotchi Level system that each one fashionable Tamagotchi depend on now for in-game foreign money. The GP buys you meals and numerous gadgets to play with (within the later video games, you should use them to buy furnishings and clothes gadgets). It additionally introduced video games to the Tamagotchi, which unlocked one other stage of playability inside the franchise past simply elevating a pet.
This reprise of the Tamagotchi Connection is primarily based on the model three (V3) launch, launched in 2006. V3 allowed you to ship Tamagotchi for a playdate to one other system utilizing an infrared connection. This characteristic is widespread in most modern-day Tamagotchi releases, together with the Tamagotchi Uni. However again then, expensive youngsters, you have been fortunate to have a buddy who knew what you have been speaking about while you talked about syncing up Tamagotchi. That’s exactly why so many collectors are excited about this reprise. Consider it as a option to heal the internal youngster after years of hiding at the back of the classroom with a digital pet in your jacket pocket.
Certainly, that is such an anticipated launch amongst collectors that I’m assembly up with individuals in actual life to attach units as soon as they’ve all shipped out. It’s one thing I by no means bought to do with my authentic Tamagotchi Connection. Not solely will I be capable to share it with adults my age who keep in mind that syncing up units was as soon as a novelty, however there’s a brand new era of youngsters with mother and father who would slightly spend their hyper-fixated time on one thing offline. (Sadly, this new Tamagotchi Connection doesn’t join with the elder ones.)
The Tamagotchi Connection is very offline. The whole lot about its design is a relic from the previous. There is no such thing as a backlight, so taking part in this can require overhead lighting if you wish to see something. And you’ll want to have a look at it as a result of the animations of the Tamagotchi are so pleasant and in contrast to something I’ve seen on the colour releases. The restricted 32 by 30 decision of the pixelated LCD means Bandai needed to be inventive with its Tama designs. My favourite one to this point is that this creepy ghost-like character I’ve landed after 5 generations. It seems to be prefer it’s on its option to an Oogie Boogie Bash.
Longtime devoted followers will know that this re-make of the Tamagotchi Connection options software program just like the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus launched in Japan almost 20 years in the past. Nonetheless, not like these units, there isn’t a pause characteristic, so when you get a Tama going, you’ve bought to remain on it! The 2024 Connection makes the in-game store out there always slightly than at sure hours all through the day. It’s additionally extra contrasted than the unique Connection releases of the 2000s, so it’s simpler to see beneath synthetic gentle, and the sprites transfer faster than they did, at the least in comparison with my authentic Tamagotchi Connection V2.
The opposite distinction between the Tamagotchi Connection from this period versus the previous is that there isn’t a TamaTown to accompany it, a large on-line recreation that could possibly be accessed through passcodes from the system again within the day. On the very least, the flexibility to attach with associates continues to be right here. You may play video games collectively, ship over gadgets and meals as presents, or go to for a playdate. The extra you see a buddy, the extra your friendship meter will increase. After which, as soon as that tops out, you two can have a child collectively! A fetal collaboration with out the real-life penalties!
More durable to play than I keep in mind
The Tamagotchi I raised died once I was writing that paragraph. I’m clearly unhappy, although extra so due to frustration that the classic manner of taking part in with digital pets doesn’t instantly translate to the brand new world. The Tamagotchi Uni, as an example, the colour variant that got here out final 12 months, prices twice as a lot and connects to the web, so it’s way more forgiving of an individual’s incapability to multitask all through the day.
First, there’s an choice to name a sitter to observe the Tama throughout my work hours, which is precisely how actual life works when you have got kin. (My real-life youngster prices way more to babysit, however we’ll chalk up that one to coverage failure.) Second, I’ve managed to get by means of the workday even with a sick Tama by the wayside. That’s as a result of the video games are simpler to play on the Tamagotchi Uni than on units modeled after the previous, like Tamagotchi Connection. On the Uni, video games are fast to play, and you may simply internet 100-300 GP in a single go to financial institution up some money to purchase meals and get the Tama away from illness. Nonetheless, the Connection requires technique and focus for its six video games. The video games are additionally fairly difficult, and the payout is frustratingly minimal in case you play a median spherical.
I think about youngsters with the time to dedicate to elevating Tamagotchi received’t thoughts as a lot as I do in regards to the grinding required to get sufficient Gotchi Factors on the Connection. On the very least, in case you really feel overwhelmed caring for the Tamagotchi Connection, you possibly can take away the again cowl and the battery. The interior storage on the Connection will maintain onto your Tamagotchi household tree.
Tamagotchi Connection Is Not a collector’s merchandise
You didn’t want me to spell out that digital pets are nonetheless a enjoyable toy, however I’m right here to validate you in case you want it. With the Connection specifically, I’m excited to lastly hyperlink up Tamagotchi in a manner I didn’t have entry to almost 20 years in the past. I can see why Bandai has been reviving its classic fashions for the brand new age: it entices adults like me to spend additional money on the throwback toy and a era of recent children to hoard them like water bottles for a doomsday prepper’s equipment. I’m pleased it’s again as a result of I can relive one thing I didn’t do in my youth.
Nonetheless, I don’t foresee myself working the Tamagotchi Connection long-term as a result of there’s little payoff. At the very least with the Tamagotchi Uni, a tool made for the 2020s that understands we multitask an excessive amount of and our children wish to go browsing, I can log again on and revive it to leap on all the brand new downloadable content material that’s surfaced since I paused, giving me one thing new to look ahead to. I’m curious how this toy will resonate with a contemporary society that’s used to a relentless stream of shiny issues. However exterior of the Japanese shells, I’m doubtful that the U.S. Tamagotchi Connection launch will turn into a collector’s merchandise the best way the early-aughts releases are.
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