History of the most famous virtual tamagotchi in the world

If you grow up 1990sYou may remember love (and a little pressure) that the small device in the form of eggs carries no more than: Tamagucci.

This is beautiful Digital petThat many children and adolescents took a commentary on back or belts bags, which has become a global phenomenon since its launch in 1996. But after the game, Tamagotchi was a technological, cultural and even emotional teacher. This is her story.

What is the origin of Tamagucci?

Tamagucci’s history He started in Japan, in mind Aki MaitaExecutive Director, 31 years old, worked for a company Pandai games. Mayita, who always wanted to get a pet and could not do this as a child, found an inspiration in a television advertisement that prevented her son from transferring a turtle to school. This scene was the spark that ignited the idea: What if there was a pet was associated with its pocket?

What does Tamaguchi mean in Japanese?

Near Akhero YukoyThe company responsible for the company, developed the concept of the digital creature that requires real care. nameTamagucci‘ It arises from a mixture of Japanese words “Tamago” (EGG) and “Tomodachi” (friend), although there are also versions that link it to “Uocchi” (the hour). Thus this small device that will change a world was born forever Electronic games.

Before her official launch, Mayita decided to prove her creation with a very strange experience: he distributed 200 preliminary models to adolescents in the Shiboya neighborhood in Tokyo, in exchange for answering a questionnaire.

The result was a tremendous success. Not only do young women play with the virtual pet, but also developed an emotional bond with it. This confirmed what Mita suspected: He was facing a revolution.

What is tamagotchi and what is it?

On November 23, 1996, You are trying Tamagucci was officially released in Japan. In just six months, more than five million units were sold. Fever rapidly expanded to the rest of the world: In May 1997, he arrived in the United States and Europe, where this phenomenon exploded with the same intensity.

Tamagucci She had a simple interface, with only three buttons and a black and white pixel screen. However, it requires constant attention: he should have been feed, play with him, clean, and even reprimand it if they act badly.

If not carefully carried out, the little object may get sick or even die. This dynamic Tamagucci has turned the first experience of many children, while it means caring for and taking responsibility for another object, even if it is digital.

Tamaguchi: a cultural phenomenon

quickly, Tamagucci It became more than just a game. It was a symbol of modernity and the first sample of the increasing relationship between humans and machines can be considered.

Despite the decrease in the popularity of Tamagucci in the end of the nineties, Banai did not allow the brand to die. In 2004, he launched Tamagotchi connectionWhich included infrared communications so that pets can “visit” each other.

Over the years, more than 47 different copies have been launched, each with new jobs, drawings and letters. In 2019, nostalgia is driven to the past Tamagucci He strongly returned to the stores.

It has become one of the best sales games on Christmas and seizure of both old fans and new foreign generations to find out these reactionary pets. In 2023, Bandai Tamagotchi Uni was launched, the first WiFi communication model that allows an exploring a digital world called Tamvert and interacts with other users in the world.

Until March 2023, it is estimated that more than 91 million units were sold worldwide. About 30 years after its establishment, Tamagotchi is still alive and adapts to the modern era.