Nostalgia’s a powerful marketing tool, and Bandai Namco knows that. So, it’s not surprising that for the 25th anniversary of the Tamagotchi, the company has a special product release featuring the beloved digital pet.
The Tamagotchi Smart brings the virtual pet to your wrist. It features a microphone and touch screen so you can touch and talk to your dear pet. It will recall answers given and react to you. The more you speak to it, the better your bond will be. And, as always, how it grows up will depend on how you raise it.
Did you know Tamagotchi had names? I didn’t. But there will be 10 characters that you can raise, including Mametchi, Poptchi, Awamokotchi, Kuchipatchi, Gaogaltchi, Pyueltchi, Wawatchi, Tuyopitchi, Milktchi, and Karapatchi.
And yes, it is a watch. It even comes with a pedometer. The Tamagotchi Smart comes in Mint Blue, Coral Pink, and a special edition “super-rare” White version as part of a 25th-anniversary set.
Bandai will also sell TamaSmart Cards, which are small keys you can plug into the device to access more pets, food, accessories, mini-games, and more. The only game included with the watch is a dancing game you can enjoy with your pet. These cards will sell for JPY 1,100 (around PHP 482 & USD 10) each.
The standard Tamagotchi Smart devices will retail for JPY 6,380 (around PHP 2,795 & USD 58) each. They’re going on sale on November 23. The limited-edition Tamagotchi 25th Anniversary Set will be available for purchase via a lottery at JPY 7,480 (around PHP 3,277 & USD 68). Signing up for that lottery closes on Friday, July 2.
We don’t know yet if Bandai will bring this fantastic reimagining of my childhood, but I’m really hoping that the company decides to sell it internationally.
Source: Japan Today + Time Out Tokyo + The Verge
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