Latest news with #TamagotchiParadise
Engadget
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Here's the absolutely massive Tamagotchi Paradise next to other objects in the wild, for scale
No product launch excites me more than the release of a new Tamagotchi. So when it comes time to review one, I like to first give myself a little while to just live with the device — to feel that initial delight and let it die down before I try to look at it critically. That way, I can more fairly assess whether we've actually got a toy that's worth the price tag and will hold a person's attention once the novelty wears off. But Tamagotchi Paradise arrived a few days ago, and while a proper review will be coming down the line, there's one thing we need to address right off the bat: This thing's fucking huge. It is slightly larger overall than the previous reigning beast of the Tamagotchi family, the Tamagotchi Pix (but a hair thinner). Tamagotchi Paradise is so big, it makes me want to resurrect out-of-fashion internet terms to describe it: absolute unit; "oh lawd, he comin'"; etc., etc. Leading up to the device's release, there were a lot of questions about how big it really is, so for anyone who hasn't yet had a chance to get their hands on one, here you go, I'm going to do my best to illustrate it for you. Here's how Tamagotchi Paradise compares in size to: They did it. Those crazy kids really did it (made a Tamagotchi bigger than the Pix). Now, don't get me wrong, Tamagotchi Paradise's comically large build isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, I'm kind of into it. It's certainly harder to juggle this device with anything else I might be holding, like my phone or a drink, but it does have a nice heft to it and it feels pretty good in the hand. And thanks to its sheer bulkiness, I'm probably less likely to misplace it around the house, as I've been known to do with smaller models that easily slip between couch cushions. Will I be running two of these at the same time? Probably not, beyond the brief moments when I want to use the Connection features. My bag only has so much room. But is Tamagotchi Paradise so cumbersome that I won't be bringing one everywhere with me for the foreseeable future? I think we all know the answer to that.
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
The Mainichi News Quiz Answer for Aug. 7
What is the name of the latest Tamagotchi model released by Bandai Co. in July 2025 that has zoomed past sales expectations? A) Tamagotchi Color B) Tamagotchi Connection C) Tamagotchi World D) Tamagotchi Paradise Correct Answer: D) Tamagotchi Paradise Bandai Co.'s latest Tamagotchi model, "Tamagotchi Paradise," was released in July 2025 and has already beat sales expectations, especially among people in their 20s and 30s. The new model features a return to the brand's original appeal, with a more analog experience and new interactive features.
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Japanese toy Tamagotchi nears 100 million sales, makes comeback ahead of 30th anniv.
TOKYO -- Bandai Co.'s digital pet Tamagotchi, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, is experiencing a new wave of popularity as nearly a 100 million devices have been sold worldwide. A new model released on July 12 has exceeded sales expectations, especially among people in their 20s and 30s. The Mainichi Shimbun interviewed a Bandai employee to learn more about the highlights of the latest product "Tamagotchi Paradise" and the reasons behind its success. New features, while returning to its roots "Tamagotchi Paradise" comes in three varieties, each priced at 6,380 yen (about $43). It garnered more than four times the preorders compared to the previous version released in 2023. In its first week on sale, the toy sold 1.5 times more than its projected number. Tamagotchi devices feature an egg-shaped body with a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen and three buttons. Players care for and raise virtual characters displayed on the screen. While this basic concept has remained unchanged since the first product was released in 1996, later versions have included updates such as infrared communication in 2004, color LCD screens in 2008 and Wi-Fi support in 2023. Chisato Aoyagi from Bandai's Toys Department, who works on Tamagotchi development, says the new model represents "a return to the brand's original appeal as a toy." The new design includes a "zoom dial" on the top and intentionally leaves out wireless communication, favoring a more analog experience. The joy of raising one's own unique character By turning the dial, the player can zoom in and out between "Tama Space," showing the planet where Tamagotchi live, and "Tama Cell" comprising the body, allowing different ways to care for the pet. Connecting two devices lets Tamagotchi characters interact with each other. Depending on their compatibility, two Tamagotchi may have children, get into fights, or even get eaten by the other character and come back as "poop." There is also a feature for holding a memorial for deceased pets, allowing players to reflect on the value of life much like they would with an actual pet. Characters grow differently based on how they are cared for, their environment and genetics. The latest model has over 50,000 different Tamagotchi variations. Social media posts indicate the "joy of raising one's own Tamagotchi," with some talking about how cute their characters are, while others can be seen customizing their devices with handmade covers. Parents who remember boom sharing fun with their kids Tamagotchi is now sold in about 50 countries and regions. As of March 2025, total sales had reached 98.1 million devices, closing in on the 100 million mark. By comparison, handheld game consoles that have sold over 100 million units include Nintendo Co.'s Nintendo Switch and Nintendo DS, both standing at around 150 million. In this age where numerous games can be played on a smartphone, why is Tamagotchi still gaining traction? Aoyagi explained, "It's largely thanks to its brand power as the original handheld digital pet game." Tamagotchi saw major booms in 1996 and again in 2004. People in their 20s and 30s, who likely played with a Tamagotchi during the 2004 boom, make up 20 to 30% of the current customer base. Aoyagi speculates that "people are buying it now as an adult due to the nostalgia of playing with it in the past." Aoyagi said she has seen parents, who were children at the time of the earlier Tamagotchi booms, now playing with their children, who don't know about the toy's history. Related businesses have also seen significant growth. Sales of related products including candy toys and cosmetics have grown roughly sevenfold between 2019 and 2024. In June, the "Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop" series returned to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 as "Tamagotchi Plaza" after nearly 20 years. Aoyagi believes these games also helped boost people's interest in the toys. Aoyagi told the Mainichi, "For next year's 30th anniversary, we want to plan something that all our fans can enjoy."
The Verge
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Tamagotchi Paradise has you caring for an entire planet of virtual pets
There are still plenty of Tamagotchi devices that have you focusing on raising just a single digital character, but the new Tamagotchi Paradise puts you in charge of a planet full of needy dependents. To make it a little easier to navigate its digital world, the device includes a full color screen and complements its three button controls with a dial on the side for zooming from a view of the entire planet right down to the cellular level of your virtual pets. Launching in Japan first on July 12th, 2025, for $45, the Tamagotchi Paradise experience starts with you hatching an entire planet in an event called the Egg Bang. From there you can zoom in on your world to one of three different unique ecosystems called Tama Fields that include land, water, and sky. Which ecosystem you start with is dependent on which of three colored versions of the Tamagotchi Paradise you buy, but you'll eventually be able to unlock all three Tama Fields as you play. Each Tama Field will affect how the Tamagotchi characters grow and evolve through unique activities and foods. The game includes over 50 different Tamagotchis separated into 12 different species that can be raised from eggs, but Tamagotchi Paradise expands that with a breeding mechanic so two compatible characters can create new Tamagotchi with 50,000 possible combinations available. Two Tamagotch Paradise devices can also be physically connected, letting characters from each interact to potentially start a family or become foes that prank each other and even get in fights. If caring for a planet full of virtual pets isn't hard enough, the device's dial even lets you zoom in on Tamagotchis to the cellular level, which is how you care for and cure them when they get sick. It sounds exhausting, but unlike kids, dogs, or cats, if the responsibilities become overwhelming, you can simply pop out the device's AAA batteries for some respite.
Engadget
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Tamagotchi Paradise looks like the most exciting virtual pet toy in years
You've got to hand it to the Tamagotchi team for continuing to find new ways to spin a toy that is now pushing 30 years old. We've seen a Tamagotchi with a built-in camera , a Tamagotchi watch with a touchscreen so you can pet your virtual pet and another one with its own Tamaverse . Sometimes these experiments don't work out as well as we'd like them to — the flat buttons introduced with Tamagotchi Pix were kind of terrible in practice — but they keep the franchise feeling alive. And alive seems like the best way to describe the newest member of the Tamagotchi family. Tamagotchi Paradise looks like it's absolutely bustling with life. Bandai first teased the upcoming Tamagotchi Paradise in a comic for Free Comic Book Day at the beginning of May, but it's now official: we're getting a Tamagotchi that's equipped with a zoom dial feature to observe the critters up close (like, even down to the cellular level) and from afar. It'll bring back gene-mixing, too, meaning you'll be able to create unique characters through breeding. Tamagotchi Paradise will also be able to physically connect to other devices with a docking port on the top of the egg. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. There is a lot of information to unpack in the Tamagotchi Paradise announcement. For one, instead of starting off by hatching a Tamagotchi character from an egg, players will hatch an entire planet in an Egg Bang (get it?) event. You'll be able to view the planet from space, and zoom in to observe what's going on down at the surface. Your mission is to "enrich your planet and make its Tamagotchi population flourish." The device will come in three shell designs — Pink Land, Blue Water and Purple Sky — and whichever shell you have will determine which location you start in. It appears that you'll be able to unlock all three areas eventually no matter what device you have. As always, you'll have to raise Tamagotchi characters from babies to adults and do all the usual caretaking tasks, like feeding them and cleaning up poop. But for once, you'll be able to put all that poop to good use by turning it into biofuel for space travel. When a Tamagotchi gets sick, you'll use the dial to "zoom in and treat them at the cellular level." There are a total of 25 different care menus according to Bandai, including shops and mini-games. Tamagotchi Paradise introduces a ton of new, more animal-like characters than we've been seeing in recent years, and they're really cute. (Don't worry, Mametchi , Mimitchi and a few other existing favorites will still be there too). There are also three secret characters that haven't yet been revealed. It looks like it's packed with activities, which would be really nice coming off of the Tamagotchi Uni, a device I've loved in the two years since it was released but still can't help but feel like it's a bit boring compared to others. Tamagotchi Paradise goes back to AAA batteries, which should be good for longevity. And it'll be cheaper than other recent flagship Tamagotchis, at $45. Pre-orders haven't opened in the US just yet, but the device will ship on July 12 according to the Japanese Amazon listing. The wait might actually kill me. Once Tamagotchi Paradise arrives, there will be pop-up Tamagotchi Labs in some as yet unannounced stores where you'll be able to connect your device to access exclusive items and experiences. Tamagotchi Uni owners will be able to get a taste of all this ahead of the release as well if they buy the Tamagotchi Lab Tamaverse ticket, which comes out on July 3.
