A Tamagotchi is a small, egg-shaped digital pet made by Bandai. It first went on sale in Japan on November 23, 1996. A creature hatches on a tiny screen, and you keep it fed, entertained and clean while it grows up in real time. Ignore it and it gets sick and can die. That bit of pressure is what turned a keychain toy into a worldwide craze.
Bandai still makes them. Today’s lineup includes the classic handheld, a Wi-Fi model and an official game on Apple Arcade.
Where did the Tamagotchi come from? #
Akihiro Yokoi of the toy company WiZ and Aki Maita of Bandai created it. The name blends two Japanese words: tamago (egg) and uotchi, borrowed from the English “watch.” It reached the United States on May 1, 1997.
The first wave was huge. Around 40 million units sold by 1998, and Bandai revived the line in 2004 and again in the early 2020s. Wikipedia’s Tamagotchi entry puts total sales at more than 98 million units worldwide as of 2025.
How does a Tamagotchi work? #
The toy runs on a real clock. Your pet gets hungry, bored and messy while you’re at school or work, and you check in through a few buttons and a row of menu icons.
The three meters #
Classic models track three things:
| Meter | What it tracks | How you fill it |
|---|---|---|
| Hunger | How full the pet is | Feeding it |
| Happy | Its mood | Playing with it |
| Training | Its discipline | Disciplining it when it misbehaves |
Hunger and Happy are the ones that keep the pet alive. Training is about how it behaves as it grows.
Cleaning up and getting sick #
Your pet leaves droppings on the screen from time to time. Leave them there and it can get sick. Cleaning up sounds like the least important chore, but on a Tamagotchi it’s often the one that decides whether the pet makes it through the day.
Growing up #
The creature moves through life stages from baby to adult. On most models, how well you look after it affects which adult character it becomes, so two people with the same toy can end up raising very different pets. That variety is a big reason people kept starting over with a new egg.
Can a Tamagotchi die? #
Yes. A Tamagotchi can die from poor care, from sickness or from old age. On the original toy, a pet could die in less than half a day without attention. Japanese versions usually showed a ghost and a headstone, and the English-language versions changed that to an angel.
The original could only be paused by going into the clock settings, which is how plenty of kids kept theirs alive through a school day. We go through the causes and how to prevent them in do Tamagotchis die?.
Why were Tamagotchis banned in schools? #
The pets beeped for attention in the middle of lessons. Teachers complained about the disruption, and many schools banned the toy during the late-1990s craze.
The whole episode also gave people a name for the attachment we form with software characters: the “Tamagotchi effect.” Wikipedia’s article on it describes it as emotional attachment to machines, robots or software agents, and notes both possible upsides, like a sense of security, and worries about over-reliance.
Which Tamagotchi models can you buy now? #
Bandai’s official US site lists several active lines:
| Line | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| Tamagotchi Original | The classic egg, re-released in new shell designs |
| Tamagotchi Nano | A smaller handheld version |
| Tamagotchi Connection | Built around connecting with other players |
| Tamagotchi Uni | Released internationally in July 2023. The first Tamagotchi with Wi-Fi, in a smartwatch-style body that connects to an online space called Tamaverse |
| Tamagotchi Paradise | Released internationally in July 2025 and in the US in August 2025, with a zoom dial |
Prices vary a lot by retailer and color, so compare before you buy.
If you want the 1997 experience, the Original line is the closest match. If you want new content over time, the Uni gets downloadable areas through Tamaverse. The Paradise is the newest design and the one most stores will push.
Is there a Tamagotchi app? #
Bandai has released a few phone versions over the years, including Tamagotchi Classic and My Tamagotchi Forever. The newest is Tamagotchi Adventure Kingdom, which arrived on Apple Arcade in 2024. What’s actually available has changed a lot, so we keep a current list in Tamagotchi app for iPhone and Android.
How modern virtual pets changed the formula #
The Tamagotchi’s big idea was responsibility on a timer. For adults with jobs, its big problem is the same timer. A pet that can die in half a day wants you checking your pocket all afternoon.
Newer phone pets usually keep the care routine and soften the consequences. Chill Capy is one example. It’s a capybara who lives in a hot spring, with four meters (food, energy, clean and fun) that drift in real time the way a Tamagotchi’s do, even when the app is closed. The difference is that he can’t die or run away. His stats stop dropping after 18 hours away, so a week off leaves him hungry and a bit scruffy, and he’s glad you’re back. It’s free on iOS and Android and doesn’t need an account.
If the stakes were what you loved about the original, that design will feel toothless. If you loved the little daily routine, it’s a closer fit than you’d expect.
Frequently asked questions #
What does “Tamagotchi” mean? #
It combines the Japanese word tamago, meaning egg, with uotchi, from the English word “watch.” The toy is an egg-shaped pet you carry around like a watch.
Are Tamagotchis still made? #
Yes. Bandai’s current lines include Tamagotchi Original, Nano, Connection, Uni and Paradise. The Paradise, released in 2025, is the newest design.
Can you pause a Tamagotchi? #
The original could only be paused by going into the clock settings. Newer models work differently, so check the manual for the one you own.
How many Tamagotchis have been sold? #
More than 98 million units worldwide as of 2025, according to Wikipedia. Around 40 million of those sold during the first craze, which ran through 1998.
Who invented the Tamagotchi? #
Akihiro Yokoi of WiZ and Aki Maita of Bandai. Bandai released it in Japan on November 23, 1996, and in the US on May 1, 1997.