Tamagotchi History: In an Egg Shell
The World's First Virtual Pet is Born
Tamagotchi, the original virtual pet, first made its impact in pop culture history when Bandai launched the product in 1996, selling more then 40 million units worldwide and 12 million units in the United States and Canada. The launch of Tamagotchi not only spurred the virtual pet phenomenon of the 90s, but it also created a brand new toy category and prompted countless virtual pet imitators. During its peak, 15 Tamagotchi units were sold every minute in the U.S. and Canada.
The originator of Tamagotchi is none other then Bandai employee, Aki Maita, who was searching for the perfect companion that worked with her busy lifestyle and small apartment, and that was tiny enough for her to tote around with her wherever she went. Thus born the world's first virtual pet.
The Next Generation of Tamagotchi - Tamagotchi Connection
Over the past five years, Tamagotchi fans have been clamoring for the return of this brand. According to recent Internet research conducted by Bandai, 100 percent of consumers were aware of Tamagotchi and 85 percent of respondents had played with Tamagotchi — even seven years after its original launch in Japan. Based on this market research and high consumer demand, Bandai decided to launch the advanced Tamagotchi Connection incorporating the elements of the original product with new advanced technology.
Tamagotchi, readers may already be aware, is an egg-shaped, hand-held electronic game named for the creature that hatches on its tiny screen, then peeps for the digital food, affection and play that it needs to grow and thrive. Neglect a Tamagotchi and it will wither. The Tamagotchi Connection (UK: Tamagotchi Connexion) is a virtual pet in the Tamagotchi line of digital toys from Bandai.The Tamagotchi Connection is unique from prior models in that it uses infrared technology to connect and interact with other devices and was first released in 2004, 8 years after the first Tamagotchi toy. 53 rows The egg stage (卵期 ranki) is the first stage in a Tamagotchi's Life Cycle. Nearly every Tamagotchi release begins with the egg stage. In order for the egg (タマゴ tamago) to hatch, the user must first set the time. On modern releases, they may additionally have.
The egg-shaped toy simulates the life cycle of a pet, letting kids experience the fun and responsibility of feeding, tending to and caring for their virtual pet. The advanced Tamagotchi Connection features new infrared communication functions allowing the virtual pet to become friends with other Tamagotchi, visit its friends to give gifts or play games together, and eventually have a possible second, third and fourth generation virtual pet.
Tamagotchi Phenomenon, Revisited
The new Tamagotchi Connection is on track to replicate its original success staring in Japan where the first product on the shelf sold out in two days. Tamagotchi Connection is one of the first items to be released in time for the holidays that retailers are anticipating will reinvigorate toy sales. Stay tuned as the virtual pet craze resurfaces and more generations of Tamagotchi are born into this world!
More information about other Tamagotchi and Tamagotchi History can be found from the main page of Tamagotchi Planet.
BANDAI'S OFFICIAL
INSTRUCTIONS
Now that you have your Tamagotchi, you must do these three things:
1) Wake up Tamagotchi from its million light-year sleep by removingthe insulating sheet (pull paper tab from side of body).
2) Set the tamagotchi communication screen (Reset operation). Pressthe reset switch on the rear of the egg with a pointed object. NOTE:Remember not to press the reset switch too hard when using a sharp rod,pencils, sharp pens, etc.
3) Adjust the time difference between Tamagotchi's planet and earth(Timer set). First press the middle button (B) to bring up the timer screen.Use the left button (A) to set the hours and the B button to set the minutes.Once you have set the correct time, press the right button (C) to set thetimer. Next, return to the main screen by pressing the B button again.
When you have completed these three steps, a pulsating egg will appear.Tamagotchi will hatch in about 5 minutes.
NOTE: During this time only the timer and reset functions areavailable.
As soon as Tamagotchi hatches, it will beep at you for attention. Thisis where the health meter comes in handy. You can determine the mood, healthand behavior of Tomagotchi with the health meter. Tamagotchi will needto be fed and played with soon after it hatches. In order to start Tamagotchion a good growth path, you must take good care of Tamagotchi right fromthe start.
FEED: Press A button until knife and fork icon is highlighted,then press B. Select either Meal or Snack by pressing the B button to feedTamagotchi. Be careful not to over feed Tamagotchi; if you do it will refuseto eat.
LIGHT: Press A button until the light bulb icon is highlighted,then press the B button. Select either On or Off by pressing the A buttonto move the arrow, then press the B button. The light should be turnedoff when Tamagotchi is sleeping, or it might get restless! Tamagotchi willautomaticlly turn the light on when wakes up.
DUCK: Just like real pets, Tamagotchi goes to the bathroom. Ifdroppings appear on the screen, it must be cleaned up right away or Tamagotchiwill get sick. Press the A button until the Duck icon is highlighted, thenpress the B button to flush the screen. Tamagotchi will be very happy afterthe mess is cleaned up.
HEALTH METER: Check Tamagotchi's health, by pressing the A buttonuntil the Health Meter icon is highlighted, then press B button to checkTamagotchi's age/weight, discipline, hunger and happiness. After you havechecked all the screens to see if Tamagotchi needs anything, press C toreturn to the main screen. You should also check this screen if Tamagotchibeeps at you and the 'attention' icon is highlighted.
PLAY: Press A button until the bat and ball icon is highlighted,then press B button to begin the game. The object is to guess which wayTamagotchi will turn. To choose left, press the A button, to choose right,press the B button. If you choose the correct direction, Tamagotchi willbe happy. There are 5 chances in each game to match Tamagotchi; the moreyou match, the happier Tamagotchi will be. To stop the game press the Cbutton. After playing, check the happiness meter to see if it went up ordown.
MEDICINE: If a 'skull' image appears, Tamagotchi issick and needs medicine. Press A button until the medicine icon is highlighted,then press B. Sometimes 2 or 3 injections are needed before Tamagotchiis well.
ATTENTION: When this icon is highlighted, Tamagotchi needs something.Check the Health Meter, to determine what Tamagotchi needs. If Tamagotchidoesn't need anything, it must be disciplined or the Attention Icon willstay highlighted.
DISCIPLINE: Tamagotchi needs discipline if it:
1) beeps even though it is full and happy
2) won't eat when it is hungry
3) won't play games when it is not very happy. If you neglect to disciplineTamagotchi when needed, it might grow up into an unattractive, bad manneredalien.
HAPPINESS AND HUNGER STATUS CHECK
There are a total of 4 hearts on the 'Happy' and 'Hunger'screens and they start out empty. The more hearts that are filled, thebetter satisfied Tamagotchi is. You must feed or play with Tamagotchi inorder to fill the empty hearts. If you keep Tamagotchi full and happy,it will grow into a cute, happy cyber creature. If you neglect Tamagotchi,it will grow into an unattractive alien.
DISCIPLINE STATUS CHECK
As the meter moves towards the right, it indicates you are raising awell-behaved Tamagotchi.
The higher the discipline scale the less trouble and better behavedTamagotchi will be. The key to increasing the discipline meter is to makesure you scold Tamagotchi when necessary. If Tamagotchi beeps at you forno reason, you must discipline it.
Tamagotchi Connection In Egg City
Tamagotchi needs discipline if it:
- beeps at you even though it is full and happy
- won't eat when it is hungry
- won't play games when it is not very happy
AGE AND WEIGHT CHECK
Converts and displays Tamagotchi's growth information in earth units.
Tamagotchi Connection In Egg Harbor
BIOLOGY
- One earth day is equal to about one year for Tamagotchi.
- Tamagotchi will change appearance several times before it reachesits adult form.
- It seems that the shape, personality and life of each Tamagotchi isbased on how well you take care of it. Each time you hatch a new Tamagotchiit could grow up to be any one of several adult forms. Tomagotchi willalways return to its home planet. How well you care for it helps determinehow long Tamagotchi will stay on Earth. When it is time for Tamagotchito return to its home planet, there is nothing you can do. But, don't worry,you can always hatch another egg.
WILL YOU BE A GOOD CARETAKER FOR TAMAGOTCHI?
0-5 YEARS: Try harder next time
6-10 YEARS: Room for improvement
11-16 YEARS: Good job
17-22 YEARS: Excellent
23+ YEARS: Amazing!
In order to hatch another Tamagotchi, press the A and C buttons simultaneouslyand a new pulsating egg will appear. In about 5 minutes a new Tamagotchiwill be born. Maybe you will raise a different version of Tamagotchi thistime. Try it and see.
TIMER FUNCTION
When you want to know the time, press the B button when no icons arehighlighted and the time will appear on the screen. To return to the mainscreen, press the B button again.
In order to re-set the time, press the B button to bring up the timer.Press the A and C buttons simultaneously and the word 'SET' willappear on the screen. Then follow the same instructions used to set thetimer. Press C button again to return to regular time. Press B again toreturn to the main screen.
Tamagotchi Connection V3
NOTE: Timer cannot be adjusted if Tamagotchi is preparing toreturn to its home planet.
WHEN TO RESET
- When you want to let Tamagotchi return home
- When you have changed batteries
- If Tamagotchi is not functioning properly
- When you want to begin raising a new Tamagotchi
NOTE: Remember, do not press the reset button too hard when usinga pointed object.
SOUND
After Tamagotchi has hatched, the sound can be turned off by pressingthe A and C buttons simultaneously. To restore the sound, press A and Cagain.
BATTERIES
Replace the batteries if the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is weak.
1) Loosen the screws on the back side. Remove the cover together withthe screws.
2) Take out the old batteries. Insert 2 new LR44 batteries, making sureto match '+' and '-' signs properly. Be sure to useboth new batteries, do not mix old and new batteries. Do not mix ALKALINE,STANDARD or RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. Dispose of used batteries properly.
3) Replace the cover and tighten the screws.
4) Reset the timer and a new Tamagotchi will hatch in 5 minutes.
Copyright Bandai 1996-1997.
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