Tamagotchi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tamagotchi (たまごっち) is a handheld digital pet created in 1996 by Aki Maita and sold by Bandai. The Tamagotchi is housed in a small and simple egg-shaped computer. Three buttons (A, B, and C) allow the user to select and perform an activity, including:
- Feeding the Tamagotchi a piece of food or a snack.
- Playing a game with the Tamagotchi.
- Cleaning up a Tamagotchi's mess
- Checking its age, discipline, hunger and happiness levels.
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[edit] Origin of name
The exact origin of the name "Tamagotchi" is unknown, though it is likely to be either a portmanteau of the words "tamago", which means "egg", and "tomodachi", which means "friend", or a combination of "tamago" and "chi" which means "cute" or "lovable".
The name may instead be a Wasei-eigo portmanteau of "egg" and "watch," according to the Japanese Wikipedia article:「たまご（Tamago）」と「ウオッチ（Watch）」をくみあわせた和製英語。
[edit] Tamagotchi releases
Main article: List of Tamagotchi releases
[edit] Other Tamagotchi games
[edit] Game Boy
The first Tamagotchi game for the Nintendo Game Boy portable game system was released simultaneously in both Japan and the United States. Tamagotchi ('Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi' in Japan) corresponds to the first two generations of the original Tamagotchi digital pets, with similar gameplay.
The second game ('Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi v2', released only in Japan) features characters from the Mori and Umi (Forest and Ocean) Tamagotchi.
The third game ('Game de Hakken!! Tamagotchi Osucchi to Mesucchi', released only in Japan) is based on Osutchi and Mesutchi, featuring a unique cartridge with a user-replaceable battery and independent piezo buzzer that alerts players to turn on their Game Boy system and care for their digital pet.
[edit] Nintendo DS
Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop ('Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisechi' in Japan) is a simulator game in which the player has to work in many different shops to earn Gotchi Points. 'Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop' was the first Tamagotchi-based game to focus not on caring for a virtual pet; rather, the player's Tamagotchi partner works in the various shops, performing mini-games to help customers. There is no option to care for the Tamagotchi as a digital pet. The goal of the game is to make the various shops 'royal' by having Princess Tamako visit them.
Its sequel, Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 ('Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisecchi Gohi-kini' in Japan), contains different or upgraded shops and over 100 types of Tamagotchi to interact with. Players again partner up with their Tamagotchi to cater to customers' needs rather than focusing solely upon caring for a Tamagotchi and helping it grow. In this game, 'Gotchi points' may be earned to feed and clothe the Tamagotchi, and to buy decorations for its home, and as more points are collected, new stores may be unlocked.
[edit] Wii
A game for the Wii console called Tamagotchi's Sparking President was released only in Japan as a launch title, but is planned for a U.S. release entilted Tamagotchi: Party On!.
[edit] Criticism and controversy
The major controversy over Tamagotchi digital pets involves children taking them to school. Worry over potential ownership disputes, class disruptions, and general distraction from schoolwork has led schools to ban the product. [1]
In 1998, a French driver killed a cyclist and injured another after she took her eyes off the road to play with her Tamagotchi while driving. [4]
‘Tamagotchi’ oder ‘vergiss die Reset-Taste’. Ein Märchen für Kinder und Erwachsene, a German short children's opera, was created in 1999 by Siegfried Carl (lyrics) and Joschi Krüger (composer) as criticism against the Tamagotchi hype. Lyrics (in German)
On August 03, 2005, South Australian MP Nick Xenophon attempted to ban the Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 (or at least have it classified R18+) due to the slot game featured on it, fearing that it would make kids grow up to become "the gambling addicts of tomorrow". [5]
