EVERYONE’S favourite nineties throwback toy is making a comeback, and its owner has opened the very first UK store.
Anyone who grew up in the period will remember the virtual pet craze that was the Tamagotchi.
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You cared for it, fed it, raised it… and then inevitably forgot about it and felt very guilty when it died.
Some kids even got their parents to care for their virtual pets during the day, after they were banned by schools.
However, the iconic egg-shaped toy is making waves once more.
Bandai Namco, Tamagotchi’s maker, has made several attempts to revive the brand in recent years.
Their efforts have finally paid off, and now Tamagotchi has launched its first-ever UK store – a milestone it didn’t even achieve during its 1996 heyday.
The Tamagotchi Official Shop has now arrived at the Bandai Namco Cross Store in Camden, London.
The store in the Provender Building on Chalk Farm Road sells several different lines, including the Tamagotchi Original, Tamagotchi Connection, Tamagotchi Uni, and Tamagotchi Nano.
Global sales of the toy have more than doubled between 2022 and 2023.
However, the modern Tamagotchi isn’t the same thing you would have bought in the 1990s.
The virtual pet was officially relaunched in the UK in 2019.
It still looks the same – a garishly coloured egg with a small digital screen and buttons – but the actual toy has much more functionality.
Priya Jadeja, Tamagotchi brand manager, told BBC News: “Now you can connect with friends, you can play on Wi-Fi and download different items, and that’s really combating that sense of fatigue that you might have gotten with some earlier models.”
“When we relaunched, we thought it would be a very millennial-focused relaunch,” Ms Jadeja says.
“But it’s being introduced to kids who’ve never had this sort of device before – it’s really exciting to see them embracing it.”
Over 82million Tamagotchis have been sold globally over the 22 years since their launch in 1996.
The Tamagotchi Original is still available from various retailers, including Amazon, Argos, Smyths, and, of course, Bandai Namco’s new London store.
Prices start at just £16.
Prices for a Tamagotchi Connection start at £29.99 and £39.99 for the Tamagotchi Uni.
HISTORY OF THE TAMAGOTCHI
THE Tamagotchi was created by Akihiro Yokoi in 1996.
Bandai Namco sold the toy, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with millions of units sold worldwide.
Children and adults alike were captivated by the responsibility of caring for their virtual pets.
In 1997, Tamagotchi fever spread globally, reaching the UK and the US.
The virtual pet craze dominates playgrounds and headlines, making it one of the decade’s most iconic toys.
Its simple yet addictive gameplay captured the hearts of millions, leading to long queues at toy stores.
However, by the early 2000s, and as technology advanced, Tamagotchi faced competition from more sophisticated digital pets and gaming devices.
Sales declined, but the toy maintained a loyal fanbase.
In 2004, Bandai released the Tamagotchi Connection, which featured infrared communication, allowing users to connect their pets and exchange gifts.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017, Bandai released a miniaturised version of the Original Tamagotchi, sparking nostalgia and renewed interest among millennials.
In 2019, Tamagotchi officially relaunched in the UK with modern upgrades like colour screens and Wi-Fi connectivity, appealing to both new and old fans.
The updated features enhanced the gameplay experience, making it more interactive and engaging.
GAMEPLAY BASICS
When you first activate your Tamagotchi, an egg appears on the screen.
After a few minutes, the egg hatches into a baby Tamagotchi, marking the beginning of your caretaking journey.
Your Tamagotchi has several basic needs that you must attend to: feeding, cleaning, playing and discipline.
The health and happiness of your Tamagotchi are monitored through status meters.
You can check these meters to see if your pet is hungry, unhappy, or needs discipline.
Keeping these meters balanced is key to raising a healthy and happy Tamagotchi.
As you care for your Tamagotchi, it will go through different life stages: baby, child, teen, and adult.
The care you provide influences how your Tamagotchi evolves, including its appearance and personality traits.
Some versions, like the Tamagotchi Connection, allow you to interact with other Tamagotchis.
You can connect with friends to exchange gifts, play games, or even have your Tamagotchis marry and produce offspring.
In newer versions, such as the Tamagotchi Uni, additional features like colour screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and downloadable content enhance the gameplay experience.
These modern iterations offer more interactive and engaging ways to care for your virtual pet.
Your Tamagotchi will beep or make noise when it needs attention.
Ignoring these alerts can cause your pet to become unhappy or even sick, so timely care is essential.
MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR OLD TOYS
IF you’ve still got your childhood toy collection tucked away in a box in the loft, it could be worth a small fortune.
“Toys from the 1980s & 1990s have become big business,” says BBC Bargain Hunt expert Tim Weeks, a toy specialist at Wessex Auction Rooms.
“This is because we tend to use the 25 year rule – this is how long it usually takes for a toy to turn into a ‘collectable toy’.
“The reason we have the ’rule’ is because a toy collector tends to start buying the toys they had as a child about 25 years after they originally had them.”
Here are the top toys sold at auction according to Zavvi, the online entertainment and pop culture retailer.
- Red Sea Crossing – Atari (£8,549)
- Pepsi Optimus Prime (£4,148)
- Classic He-Man Action Figures (£2,550)
- Vintage G.I Joe (£385.50 – £2,033.30)
- Star Wars Action Figures (£1,728)
- 1986 American Girl Doll (£962)
- Daredevil Comic #168 (£891)
- 1983 Indiana Jones Action Figure (£773)
- Cabbage Patch Kids (£732)
- Game Boy (£634)
Old toys can be sold on eBay, via Amazon, or on any number of specialist websites.
To find out how much an old toy might be worth do some research first.
Checking the same or similar toys under “sold listings” on eBay.
Compare your toy to other higher selling auctions and ask yourself if it’s in a similar condition? Is is authentic? Does it have its original packaging?
If it’s in mint condition then it might be worth selling it through an auction house or directly to a collectables website.
If it’s not in mint condition, it’s probably worth sticking it on eBay for a moderate sum.
But in both cases check for any fees involved and find out what percentage of any sale an auctioneer may take.
Here’s what to do if you suspect you have a rare toy hidden away in your loft.