EVERYONE’S favorite toy from the nineties is back, and its owner has opened its first store in the UK.
Anyone who grew up during this period will remember the virtual pet craze that was the Tamagotchi.
2
More than 82 million Tamagotchis have been sold worldwide in the 22 years since their launch in 1996. Credit: Getty
2
Aki Maita, creator of the Tamagotchi, pictured in Paris in December 1997. Credit: Getty
You took care of it, fed it, raised it… and then inevitably forgot about it and felt very guilty when it died.
Some children have even made their parents look after their virtual pets during the day, after their schools forbade them.
However, the iconic egg-shaped toy is making waves again.
Bandai Namco, the maker of Tamagotchi, has tried several times to revive the brand in recent years.
Their efforts have finally paid off and now Tamagotchi has launched its first store in the UK – a milestone it failed to achieve even during its 1996 heyday.
The Tamagotchi Official Shop has now arrived at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden, London.
The store in the Provender building on Chalk Farm Road sells several different lines, including Tamagotchi Original, Tamagotchi Connection, Tamagotchi Uni and Tamagotchi Nano.
Global sales of the toy more than doubled between 2022 and 2023.
However, the modern Tamagotchi is not the same thing you would have bought in the 1990s.
Virtual Pet officially relaunched in the UK in 2019.
Aldi shoppers run to the middle aisle to grab children’s toys
It still looks the same – a brightly colored egg with a small digital screen and buttons – but the actual toy has much more functionality.
Priya Jadeja, Tamagotchi brand manager, told BBC News: “Now you can connect with friends, you can play on Wi-Fi and download different items, which really combats that tired feeling that you might have gotten with some of the earlier models .”
“When we relaunched, we thought it would be a very millennial-centric relaunch,” Ms Jadeja says.
“But it’s being introduced to kids who have never had this kind of device before — it’s really exciting to see them embrace it.”
More than 82 million Tamagotchis have been sold globally in the 22 years since their launch in 1996.
The Tamagotchi Original is still available from a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Argos, Smyths and, of course, Bandai Namco’s new London store.
Prices start from just £16.
Prices for the Tamagotchi Connection start at £29.99 and £39.99 for the Tamagotchi Uni.
HISTORY OF THE TAMAGOTCHI
Tamagotchi was created by Akihiro Yokoi in 1996.
Bandai Namco sold the toy, which soon became a cultural phenomenon, with millions of units sold worldwide.
Both children and adults were fascinated by the responsibility of caring for their virtual pets.
In 1997, Tamagotchi fever spread globally, reaching the UK and the US.
The virtual pet craze dominates playgrounds and headlines, making it one of the most legendary toys of the decade.
Its simple yet addictive gameplay won the hearts of millions, leading to long queues at toy stores.
However, by the early 2000s, and as technology advanced, the Tamagotchi faced competition from more sophisticated digital pets and gaming devices.
Sales declined, but the toy retained a loyal fan base.
In 2004, Bandai released the Tamagotchi Connection, which featured infrared communication, allowing users to connect their pets and exchange gifts.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017, Bandai released a miniaturized version of the original Tamagotchi, sparking nostalgia and renewed interest among millennials.
In 2019, Tamagotchi was officially relaunched in the UK with modern upgrades such as a color display and Wi-Fi connectivity, attracting new and old fans alike.
Updated features have improved the gaming experience, making it more interactive and engaging.
FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAYING
When you first activate your Tamagotchi, an egg appears on the screen.
After a few minutes, a baby Tamagotchi hatches from the egg, marking the beginning of your journey of caring.
Your Tamagotchi has a few basic needs that you must attend to: feeding, cleaning, playing and discipline.
The health and happiness of your Tamagotchi is monitored via a status meter.
You can check these gauges to see if your pet is hungry, unhappy, or in need of discipline.
Keeping those gauges in balance is key to raising a healthy and happy Tamagotchi.
As you care for your Tamagotchi, it will go through different life stages: baby, child, teenager and adult.
The care you give affects your Tamagotchi’s development, including its appearance and personality traits.
Some versions, such as Tamagotchi Connection, allow you to interact with other Tamagotchis.
You can connect with friends to exchange gifts, play games, or even have your Tamagotchi get married and produce offspring.
In newer versions, such as the Tamagotchi Uni, additional features such as a color screen, Wi-Fi connectivity and downloadable content enhance the gaming experience.
These modern iterations offer more interactive and engaging ways to care for your virtual pet.
Your Tamagotchi will beep or make noises when it needs attention.
Ignoring these warnings can cause your pet to become unhappy or even sick, so timely care is essential.
MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR OLD TOYS
IF you still have your childhood toy collection tucked away in a box in the attic, it could be worth a small fortune.
“Toys from the 1980s and 1990s have become big business,” Tim Weeks, a toy specialist at Wessex Auction Rooms, told the BBC.
“That’s because we tend to use the 25-year rule – that’s usually how long it takes for a toy to become a ‘collector’s toy.’
“The reason we have a ‘rule’ is that a toy collector usually starts buying toys they had as a child about 25 years after they originally had them.”
These are the best toys sold at auction according to Zavvi, the online entertainment and pop culture retailer.
- Crossing the Red Sea – Atari (£8,549)
- Pepsi Optimus Prime (£4,148)
- Classic He-Man Action Figures (£2550)
- Vintage GI Joe (£385.50 – £2033.30)
- Star Wars Action Figures (£1728)
- 1986 American Girl Doll (£962)
- Daredevil Comics #168 (£891)
- 1983 Indiana Jones Action Figure (£773)
- Cabbage for children (£732)
- Game Boy (£634)
Old toys can be sold on eBay, through Amazon or any number of specialist websites.
To find out how much an old toy might be worth, do your research first.
Check the same or similar toys under “sold ads” on eBay.
Compare your toy with other higher selling auctions and ask yourself if it is in similar condition? Is it authentic? Does it have the original packaging?
If it’s in good condition, it might be worth selling it through an auction house or directly on a collectibles website.
If it’s not in good condition, it’s probably worth putting it on eBay for a moderate amount.
But in either case, check to see if there are fees involved and find out what percentage of any sale the auctioneer may take.
Here’s what to do if you suspect you have a rare toy hidden in your attic.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education