tamagotchi review
from the lockdown archives
Even though it’s relatively new, the Tamagotchi has become a forgotten game. It was wildly popular in the 90s and early 2000s, and it gradually fell off as the generation evolved and grew up. But not me.
When my new Tamagotchi first arrived, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Even seeing the Tamagotchi reminded me of the simple times of my childhood where I had zero responsibilities. Especially in the lockdown, it became a therapeutic way to pass the never-ending days and to connect with my inner child.
The Tamagotchi is a Japanese toy that’s name translates to ‘Egg Watch’ in its native language. It is a small, egg shaped device that fits comfortably in the user’s hand.
The game follows a virtual pet that the player must take care of and nurture into future generations. The user engages with the pet daily to keep it alive.
This model was titled the Tamagotchi Pastel Meets. It definitely seemed like an egg, with its short oval shape and white shell detailing. The front has flower patterns that remind me of the 60s psychedelic aesthetic. The small square screen sat in the middle, and three circular buttons were below it. The vibrant and colourful graphics were impressive, a significant improvement from the classic model.
The new models aren’t sold in Australia, so most people would know the Tamagotchi as the simple, black and white ones that were widely available in the 90s. However, Tamagotchi have a huge loyal fanbase and culture in Japan where new and improved models made every year to fit with modern trends.
The player starts off with a baby Tama. This stage is the most high maintenance, and also has limited features. It always needs your attention, poops constantly and cries easily just like a real baby. I find this stage the most annoying but thankfully, it’s the quickest stage.
Usually when your pet evolves in the game, there are standard Tamagotchi characters that you can achieve based on how you take care of it. But for this newer model, the Tamagotchi generations take on the genes of their parents, which I found so exciting because they create one of a kind characters with unique physical traits.
By doing certain activities, you can also unlock new locations as you keep playing which keeps it fresh. For a game that requires you to play daily to keep the livelihood of your pet, this is necessary.
Your Tamagotchi can go to restaurants, play games to earn money, go shopping, socialise at the park and even go on dates… all of the things I can’t do in lockdown. Yes, I lived vicariously through my Tamagotchi. Playing with it was a way for me to disconnect from social media and the ‘real world’ and go back to the innocence of childhood. In many ways, being in lockdown is just like being a child again.