This article or section seems not to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. Please improve the article or discuss proposed changes on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. Tamagotchi Plus (Marutchi) The Tamagotchi (たまごっち Tamagotchi) is a handheld virtual pet created in 1997 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 the options to feed or play with the Tamagotchi, among other things. To keep the Tamagotchi happy, the user has to play games with it. The Tamagotchi evolves into one of a wide range of "characters" three or four times in its lifetime depending on how well the user takes care of it, and which type of Tamagotchi the user has. There were often "secret" characters, which the Tamagotchi would only evolve into if the user followed a specific series of steps. Contents 1 Name Origin/Pronunciation 2 The Tamagotchi 2.1 The Original Tamagotchi 2.2 Tenshitchi no Tamagotchi (Tamagotchi Angel or Angelgotchi) 2.3 Mori no Tamagotch (Tamagotchi Garden) 2.4 Umi no Tamagotch (Tamagotchi Ocean) 2.5 Mesutchi and Osutchi 2.6 Tamaotch 2.7 Yasashii Tamagotchi 2.8 Santaclautchi 2.9 Genjintchi 2.10 Mothra Tamagotchi 2.11 Tamagotchi Plus 2.12 Tamagotchi Connexion 2.13 Tamagotchi Connection 2.14 Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus (K-Plus) 2.15 Hanerutchi 2.16 Chibi Tamagotchi (Tamagotchi Mini) 2.17 Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 2.18 Tamagotchi Plus Akai Series 2.19 O-uchi no Deka Tamagotchi 2.20 Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus (entama) 2.21 Tamagotchi Connection Version 3 2.22 Ura Jinsei Enjoy Tamagotchi Plus (uratama) 2.23 Hanerutchi 2 3 Criticism 4 External links Name Origin/Pronunciation The name combines the Japanese word for egg ("tamago") and the syllable "chi" which denotes affection, so it could be taken to mean "loveable egg". It is also a pun on both "wotchi" (ウォッチ; borrowed from English "watch", as in the time piece) and "tomodachi" (Japanese for friend). Also, because "tamago" is Japanese for egg, and "tomodachi" is Japanese for friend, Tamagotchi could be taken to mean "egg-friend." In Japanese and most other languages it is pronounced with a long "o" sound — ta-ma-goh-chee — although in the United States it is typically pronounced with a short "o" sound – "ta-ma-gah-chee". In Japan, the final "i" is usually elided, thus becoming Tamagotch. This is a common occurrence in the Japanese language. The Tamagotchi The Original Tamagotchi The original Tamagotchi was released in 1997 in both Japan and America. It had a total of 7(1 hidden) adult characters, two teen characters, one toddler character, and one baby character, for a total of 11 characters. There was Generation 1 (also known as P1) and Generation 2 (also known as P2). They had different characters, and a number of other minor differences, such as different games and different Meal and Snack options. The screen was the same size on both. Tenshitchi no Tamagotchi (Tamagotchi Angel or Angelgotchi) Released in August 1997 with three different designs. Featured a motion-sensor. There were five secret characters. Mori no Tamagotch (Tamagotchi Garden) Released in February 1998 with four different designs. It was scheduled for release in America as "Tamagotchi Garden" but was later canceled. This Tamagotchi premiered the "predator" function also used in the later Umi no Tamagotch (Tamagotchi Ocean). Occasionally, a predator (one is a foot and one is a frog from the ocean) would attack, and you would have to use the voice and touch-sensitive functions by shouting or tapping at the screen to scare away the predator. If its attack succeeded, the Tamagotchi could be made sick or even killed. Another notable function of the Mori no Tamagotchi is its teenager phase: It is replaced by a cocoon, which stays for 24 hours, during which time you had to control a temperature dial. If the environment was mostly hot, the Tamagotchi would change into the "warmer" creature for that quality of care, and vice versa for cold. There are two types of eggs that can be chosen to hatch in this Tamagotchi. The white egg is more like a traditional Tamagotchi, where it changes based on how it is cared for. The spotted egg always changes into kabutchi, the stag beetle, where the goal is to make it as large as possible (a "length" meter is displayed to track this). Umi no Tamagotch (Tamagotchi Ocean) Released in March of 1998 in Japan with four different colors. Released in the United States in 1998 with four colors as "Tamagotchi Ocean" This is known as one of the hardest Tamagotchi to raise, needing near-constant attention. This Tamagotchi included the "predator" function also used in the Mori no Tamagotch. Occasionally, a predator (a Polar Bear) would attack while your Tama takes a nap, and you would have to use the touch-sensitive functions by tapping at the screen to scare away the predator. If its attack succeeded, the Tamagotchi could be made sick or even killed. Included a "water quality" meter in the status screen. Flushing the screen could make the screen cleaner, but if all four skulls on the meter were filled, the water would become black and it had to be flushed to see the Tamagotchi again. This was a secondary use for the cleaning function which is not used in any other Tamagotchi. Mesutchi and Osutchi Released in December of 1997 in Japan only. Featured interlocking mating using the same technology that Digimon premiered to have Tamagotchis give birth. Both Mesutchi and Osutchi featured 31 characters each. Five different generations of Tamagotchi were available, but only one had a growth chart that was affected by caretaking skills. The other four were linear. If one was to become lazy on his or her care for their Mesutchi/Osutchi, the Tamagotchi would become an unmateable creature. If the player fed the Tamagotchi too much food and it got to be 99 pounds, it would turn into a "Debutchi" which took up the whole screen. The player would then have to help lower the weight of the Tamagotchi before anything else could be done. Tamaotch This was named after Japanese actress Tamao Nakamura and released in April 1998. Debirutchi no Tamagotchi(Tamagotchi Devil) Released in September of 1998 in four colors for ¥2079. Some aspects of the care is similar to the Tenshitchi no Tamagotchi (Tamagotchi Angel, Angelgotchi), only the Devilgotchi Power is supposed to be kept at a minimum, while the Angelgotchi Power is supposed to be kept high. Care is almost exactly the same as Angelgotchi, but unlike the Angelgotchi characters, who are eager and did good deeds for you, instead, the Devilgotchi characters are naughty and played tricks on you. Used a touch screen and a voice sensitive unit, similar to Umi no Tamagotchi. Yasashii Tamagotchi Released in October of 1998 in three colors. Acting as an "Easy Tamagotchi," it has slightly different evolutions than the first set of Tamagotchi toys, and also features a larger case. In the place of icons, backlit buttons were used, and the number of buttons at the bottom of the case were reduced to two- Select and Cancel. Santaclautchi A Santa Claus and Christmas-themed Tamagotchi. The Santaclautchi character did not evolve, but could be changed by receiving different items. If it was taken care of badly, Santaclautchi would return to his house and "Super Kuchipatchi" would have to return him to the screen. You had to go to each Tamagotchi's house, and give them a present. If you didn't deliver the presents in time, the Tamagotchi would get mad, Santaclautchi would get upset, and you would have to start over. Genjintchi Also known as the Caveman Tamagotchi. Genjintchi was released only in theatres playing the movie "Peking Man", which is the movie the virtual pet is based on. Mothra Tamagotchi The character was a winged beast called Mothra Tamagotchi. Released only in Japan Tamagotchi Plus Released only in Japan on March 20, 2004. Mostly the same as the Tamagotchi Connexion/Connection Version 1, the only difference being the language. Includes characters from the original Tamagotchi as well as several characters new to the Tamagotchi series. Implements an infrared port to connect to other Tamagotchi to "make friends," play games and exchange presents with other Tamagotchi's (Tamagotchi Plus, Connexion, and Connection), including later models, and also breed and create a new generation of Tamagotchi. Can also connect to Deka (huge) Tamagotchi in Japanese retail stores and restaurants for an exclusive "friend". Tamagotchi Connexion This English-language version of the Tamagotchi Plus released in Oceania, Asia, and Europe. It is mainly the same as the later U.S.-released Tamagotchi Connection, with slight changes in the wording of menu screens (such as 'style' instead of 'gender', and 'absent' instead of 'away'). There are extra differences too, such as the connecting screen saying 'Proceed' with a line below instead of 'Connect' without a line below. There are less fakes and pull-offs of Tamagotchi Connexion than Tamagotchi Connection. Some are PowerPalz, FitGirlz, FitBoyz, and Digipets. Tamagotchi Connection The English-language version of the Tamagotchi Plus released in North America on August 15, 2004. Also called "V1" or "Version 1". Changes the language from Tamagotchi Connexion to conform to the U.S. variation of English (e.g. 'gender' instead of 'style') Allows players to connect via infared to other players systems and become friends, get married, and produce offspring. There are six stages of life: egg, infant, child, teenager, adult and senior, the senior stage being new to the Tamagotchi product. The egg stage lasts only around a minute, an infant: 1 hour, a child: 24 hours, a teen: 2-3 days, an adult: about 5 days, and a senior: until death. (Once the Tamagotchi reaches the senior stage, it can no longer mate except with other seniors.) Connection tips To give a present, go to the heart at the same time, and then only the person who is receiving the present presses B button (Sometimes you may both need to, but the one who's receiving needs to press B first. Also, it is random whether they will choose to play a game or give a present, this only works if giving a present is chosen.) Do not connect in bright sunlight or where there is fluroescent lightning. Otherwise, sometimes one Tamagotchi will connect by itself. Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus (K-Plus) Connects to Japanese mobile phones. In order to connect the Tamagotchi with cell phones, cell phone users first had to download a Tamagotchi game onto their phone. Afterwards, when connecting, the Tama could do many things, such as visit its parents, play games, and even find a mate. Connects to the original Tamagotchi Plus and Deka Tamagotchi models. Ten digit passwords unlock foods from each region of Japan and items for each character. Features old characters as well as new characters not in the original Tamagotchi Plus. When a tamababy is there the Father/Mother will leave in 2-4 days. Hanerutchi Features characters from the Japanese show "haneru no tobira" and a small amount of Tamagotchi characters Debuted in two colors with identical designs (white with green or red stripe and back) Limited-edition metallic white with blue stripe was also released. Similar to Keitai Tamagotchi, only with different characters. Chibi Tamagotchi (Tamagotchi Mini) This model is a miniature Tamagotchi 80% of the size of the original toy which has limited features and is promoted as a fashion accessory. In Japan, the three colors available are identical to three of the six colors of the original Tamagotchi (pink, light blue, and white). The keychain attachment is a small ball-chain loop. In America, it debuted with four colors (black with flames, light blue, pink, and purple) and several months later followed with four more colors (yellow with dots, purple with dots, a darker blue, and yellow with stripes). The keychain attachment is a short link-chain with a lanyard clasp at the end. The following characters are available on this Tamagotchi: marutchi, mametchi, masukutchi, kuchipatchi, ginjirotchi, nyorotchi, oyajitchi, and rakki unchi-kun (lucky poop, Japan-only) On the Japanese version, it shows a grave with a little ghost when it dies. In America, it shows the Tamagotchi Planet. Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 (Also called Version 2, Vr. 2, Ver. 2, or V2) Version two of the Tamagotchi Connection (the cousin to Japanese Tamagotchi Plus) was released on June 21, 2005 in the U.S. with new features. It included: Newer Characters and ones taken from older tamagotchis like Osutchi and Mesutchi and the original Tamagotchi. New games, including Jump, Bump, Heading, and Slot. "Gotchi points" earned by playing the games are used to buy items from a shop which is re-stocked three times a day. The maximum amount of points is 9999. (The shop restocks at 12:00 A.M., 3:00 P.M., and 7:00 P.M.) One could connect (using IR capability) with other users, the user able to choose whether to play a game or give a present. The option to connect to either Version 1 or Version 2 Tamagotchi was introduced. Five codes are available on the V2 that unlock special items. These codes would be entered by entering the shop, pressing "A" until the shopkeeper looks surprised, and pressing the corresponding buttons in a limited time. The first use of each of these codes results in a free item; after that, the code gives the player the option to buy the item. They are as follows: Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. CBAACABC, costume ACBCABAC, hair gel BCBACABA, love potion, or honey BACBCACB, steak ABBACBCC, whole cake When the fifth (last) code is entered, a special prize (a Mimitchi costume) is obtained in place of the usual item, and then you have to pay for the item that was replaced. Spoilers end here. Features the ability to pause by holding the A and B buttons. Hitting the A and B buttons together again removes the pause. You now could choose between game and present, and you could wrap a present, and 2 new games were added: A game that appears to be either a racing game or football(soccer) without a ball, and tug of war. Tamagotchi Plus Akai Series Released July 23, 2005 in Japan. Mono-color red LCD. New red-theme characters including a tomato, daruma, tengu, heart, and cherry. New red-theme foods including pizza, wine, peaches, and red rice. Same games as the Keitai and Hanerutchi Tamagotchi with different graphics. Connects with Japanese mobile phones, Keitai Tamagotchi, Deka tamagotchis at stores in Japan, the home Deka, and Hanerutchi. O-uchi no Deka Tamagotchi O-uchi (home) version of the Deka (huge) Tamagotchi. Released July 2005 in Japan. Currently the rarest Tamagotchi of the new generation to date. Features a stand for tabletop display and three-position volume adjust. You play games and receive Gotchi points that you can transfer to a keitai, hanerutchi, akai series, or Entama. You can also spend it on gifts for your Deka character, or upgrade the character's house. Items you buy alter the little room it lives in. When you upgrade the house, the way the house looks is altered. Sometimes you also receive a special item, and sometimes you also receive pets to take care of. You don't have to feed or clean up after your pets, but they do get lonely if they aren't played with and petted for a long time. Special green-colored edition sold at Japanese Toys-R-Us stores available either paired with an akai series Tamagotchi or alone. Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus (entama) Released November 2005 in Japan. This Tamagotchi has many more features than the Keitai. This Tamagotchi can link to E-Tamago. From there, you can enter Tamagotchi Town and take part in many activities and play many games. You can even shop and buy things for your EnTama. The Entama can connect to the Home Deka, but can only trade points and not items. This Tamagotchi also features three character groups: Intelligence, Kindness and Style. In Japanese, these are the Mamezoku, Kutchizoku, and Memezoku groups. There is currently a Chou Jinsei Enjoi accessory available, called a Kakeibo Tamagotch. It features a touchscreen, and is very big (10cm tall, 7.5cm wide), though the Deka is larger. On the bottom of the egg it has 'TMGC TOWN GINZA STREET' engraved in it. There are no buttons on this accessory, and it's called the Kaikebo (account book). A small strand of beads is attached rather than a keychain or mini-strap. Interacts with the Japanese Tamagotchi website and WAP page via 14-digit passcodes. Features include: school, jobs, online interactivity, and cooking. There are only cooking-specific items that you can buy which are separate from the general foods and snacks. The EnTama is unique as it is the first Tamagotchi to remove two of the Tamagotchi's original primary functions: the discipline and the lights (the Tama turns the lights out on its own). There are a total of 58 characters featured on this Tamagotchi (42 Basic characters, 3 Secret Characters, Ojitchi, Otokitchi, Oyajitchi, and 10 Call Dating Service characters). Thus, this Tamagotchi has the most characters featured on any Tamagotchi, beating the Version 3 by 6. Three new games too: In the first game, you have to choose 2 cards to flip out of 4 face-down. Match the same cards 6 times to get 500 Gotchi points and ten Intelligence points. In the second game, you have to catch 100 clothes in total while dodging the poo to get 500 Gotchi points and ten Style points In the third game, you have to hammer a total of 30 stories of a building to rescue the baby on the top to get 500 Gotchi points and ten Kindness points Tamagotchi Connection Version 3 (Also known as Version 3, V3, Ver. 3, VR3, or Tama V3) The third version of the Tamagotchi Connection series was released at the end of January 2006. Like the Version 2, it borrows some features from the latest version of the Japanese toy, but greatly simplifies them. This means that the V3 does not go to school, get a career, or receive a salary. Debuted with 6 new colors: Green with Tropical Flowers, Blue with Waves, Translucent Yellow, Arctic Camouflage, "Ice Cream," and Silver with Black Buttons. However, even newer colours were released on the official Tamagotchi Connection website, such as Blue with Bubbles. Only the first 6 colours were released elsewhere throughout the world, though so far, the U.S. currently has the most V3 colours. Has a little bump on the top, like the antenna on a cell phone, similar to the Keitai Tamagotchi. Also, the 'antenna' distinguishes it from the versions 1 and 2. Note that in Japanese Tamagotchis, this 'antenna' can be used to connect to certain cell phones to allow the Tamagotchi to travel, but this feature was taken out in the U.S. version. Adds 20+ new characters, many from Osutchi, Mesutchi and P2, bringing the total number of Tamagotchi Connection characters to 52. Although some characters from the V1 and V2 were not included, this is the highest number of characters on a Tamagotchi Connection. Version 3 can connect with Version 1 and 2, as well as other V3 Tamagotchis. Offers connection to Tamatown.com which, similar to the Japanese counterpart, generates codes which you can input into the toy and receive souvenirs, which are items that you can look at, but not much else. Passwords also give shop items and food, which cost Points.You can eat the food you buy in Tamagotchi Town. Other than the code from the Nintendo DS Game, the passwords unlocked on your pet or on TamaTown.com will not work on any other Tamagotchi, thanks to the username system on both Tamatown and the Tamagotchi itself. 6 new games: Get♪, a game where one must collect falling music notes into a bag, and dodge the falling messes(read: Tamagotchi poop), in order to get a score of 100/100, where the game ends and you get 150 Gotchi Points, 225 Gotchi Points or 300 Gotchi Points, dependent on the age of your Tamagotchi. Note that this game is also included in the K-Plus. Bump, which is the same as the Connection Version 2 game, where your Tamagotchi becomes an almost sumo-like wrestler. However, point amounts are doubled from the Version 2. Flag, a kind of "follow the leader" game, in which a flag appears on-screen, and one must press the corresponding button(s). However, there are imitation flags that will end the game if pressed. So be careful of them. Heading, which is the same as the V2 version's heading, where the player must hit a falling ball back into the air. However, point amounts are doubled from the Version 2. Memory, in which a sequence of arrows is played, and one must follow that sequence. You need a good memory for this game. Sprint, which is essentially a button-mashing game where one must press any button continuously to help the Tamagotchi win. New games on connecting: Ball balancing, flag, block tower building, and Rc car racing. The new prize feature is added: the winner gets a certain amount of points depending on what stage the connecting Tamagotchis are in. The Version 3 is infamous for having more technical glitches than any other Tamagotchi, such as items or souvenirs disappearing between generations or ancestors disappearing from the Family list. This is suspected to be because the V3 was either rushed or not tested properly before being released. Seven codes are available on the V3 that unlock special items. These codes would be entered by entering the shop, pressing "A" until the shopkeeper looks surprised, and pressing the corresponding buttons in a limited time. The first use of each of these codes results in a free item; after that, the code gives the player the option to buy the item. They are as follows: ABBAACBA, Cake BCABACBC, Steak CBACCABC, Cuckoo Clock AABBCACB, RC Car 2 CACABABC, Stuffed animal (actual costume) ACBBBACC, Hair gel BCBCCABA, Love Potion (honey) When the last item is collected, it is replaced by a Hohotchi costume. Ura Jinsei Enjoy Tamagotchi Plus (uratama) Coming July 22, 2006 to Japan. Mono-color blue LCD. Similar to the chou jinsei enjoi tamagotchi, with stars replacing the round decorative "antenna" and beads; the blue-colored counterpart to the previous generation's red-colored "akai series". It signifies the "Ura" world. Connects with the TamaStation, which are large gaming type centres all around Japan, the DekaTama, Entamas, Keitama [Keitai] Within the TamaStation, You can earn special items by winning Games [?] For example: "Call dating service" Where you use it to get special, Rare Character generations (three to earn) Currently 6 starter designs for when itcomes out. New games, characters and new designs. Main characters have dramatically changed for ex: Mametchi renamed to Uramametchi, and now features a tail, Kuchipatchi [Ura kuchi] Now has a Horn on it's head, and Uramemetchi has wings. Hanerutchi 2 An updated Entama-like version of the Hanerutchi. It is yet to be released. To be available in red and blue designs similar to the first Hanerutchi. Criticism There has been much criticism over the years over the Tamagotchi. One common criticism includes children taking them to school and using them during classes. This has led schools to ban the product from being allowed to be brought to school. Bandai eventually added a "PAUSE" feature to the Tamagotchi line to solve the problem, but it is still a common issue. On August 03, 2005 South Australian No Pokies MP Nick Xenophon attempted to ban the Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 due to the Slot Game featured on it, fearing that it will make kids wish to gamble in the future. This backfired, as many Australians went out and bought Tamagotchis. In the end, Nick decided not to ban the virtual pets, but to let parents be aware of the toy's contents. In 1998, a French driver killed a cyclist and injured another after she took her eye off the road trying to save her tamagotchi while driving. 1 External links Official European Tamagotchi Site Official Japanese Tamagotchi site Official USA Tamagotchi site TamaTalk - Tamagotchi forum site (unofficial) Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamagotchi" Categories: Wikipedia articles needing style editing | 1990s fads | Bandai | Virtual pets