Virtual pets re-emerge, definitely here to stay

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net

DO you want to have your own pet yet your parents give you that proverbial you’re-not-ready-for-that-kind-of-responsibility-yet bit? Well, now you can have your own pet — that is not smelly, cost-free, but still very cute.

Introducing the Tamagotchi! Actually, the Tamagotchi needs no introduction since it’s not new, per se. In fact, I can still remember the Tamagotchi craze that swept the kid community back when I was still in grade school. Come recess, students flocked in one corner of the classroom to play with their Tamagotchi, never bothering to go outside and play. Heck, they even forgot to eat their baon just to feed and play with their Tamagotchi.

My generation and even the older generation should be familiar with this loveable pet. But for the sake of those who belong to later generations (Generation Y or Z?), here’s a quick info on the well-loved pet.

Tamagotchi first came out in 1996. It was designed as a virtual pet, created by Japanese Aki Maita and sold by Bandai (trust the Japanese to come up with mind-boggling innovations). The word Tamagotchi is actually a combination of two words, the Japanese “tamago” meaning egg and the English “watch.”

Honestly, I was surprised when I saw that Tamagotchis were still sold in department stores. I thought they went obsolete. But later on I learned that ever since it first came out in 1996, the Tamagotchi has gone through around 30 or more modifications and version updates. There was even a Christmas Tamagotchi that had a Christmas theme.

In 2007, Tamagotchi released its 4.5 and 5 versions, featuring a more complex set of characters, more features, and more games. Apart from that, you can now connect with other Tamagotchi owners through infrared technology and “mate” your Tamagotchi to produce future generations of cute pets. You can even buy a Tamagotchi that is voice-activated, meaning you can command your pet through a built-in microphone that is included in the package you buy.

Earlier Tamagotchi versions consist of only a limited set of characters or pets that you can choose from. Characters of past versions include only Tsubutchi, Tamatchi, Hitodetchi, Kuchitamatchi, and Kuribotchi. Later versions, though, now have a complex set of characters, making it hard for you to pick your own pet. One of the Tamagotchi characters, Mametchi, is even featured in the favorite arcade game Mario Kart.

Now I won’t go into details on how you should raise your virtual pet, just visit the official website for that. I’d simply like to point out how these things can still bring out the child in some… er… older people. I, for one, just bought a Tamagotchi last Christmas. I bought it a discount too! Normal price is around Php 1,000 and up, but I was able to buy mine for just Php 700. No doubt about it, you will easily get hooked on the game, because the interface is very simple and the pets very cute and loveable. The Tamagotchi toy itself is egg-shaped, definitely living by its name.

One of the things I like about it is that it really acts like a real pet. It “sleeps” between 8 to 10 p.m. and wakes up at around that same time in the morning. According to fellow Tamagotchi owners, your virtual pet should be in sync with your sleeping habits. Apparently, people sleep early in Japan, so the pet also sleeps early. It also constantly needs your attention. Leave it alone for an hour or less and he or she will come crying out for your affection. I currently have the second generation Tamagotchi (my first generation Tamagotchi just gave birth today!)

A word of advice for parents: give your child a Tamagotchi only when school’s out, like summer vacations, for example. One of the main issues against this pet is that children bring them to school, which results in distraction and lack of attention to class lectures. Tamagotchi can also disrupt class lectures because of the noise it makes. You can pause it, but you also run the risk of getting your Tamagotchi sick in the process. Hence, the Tamagotchi also requires some level of responsibility on the part of the owner. It’s compact though, and for the young and young at heart, it is definitely a great past time when you’re waiting in long lines in bus terminals and even the MRT.

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