The Tamagotchi is making a comeback, cashing in on a wave of 1990s nostalgia* that’s already seen the Nintendo NES and SNES resurrected. The wildly popular egg-shaped toy was released in Japan in 1996, allowing users to hatch and raise their own digital characters. Retailing at US$19.99, the new toy is coming in eight new colors and eight vintage* styles. While Tamagotchi’s pixelated design may be a far cry from the complex games available today, the firm expects the nostalgia factor will be a major luring point for those who once owned the toy as a child. Reports suggest the virtual pet gadget will come with original programming. The re-release will be rolled out in two generations — Generation One will require players to guess the pet’s next move while Generation Two will feature a number-guessing game. After hatching a digital creature, users must take care of their virtual pet as it moves through the different stages of life. Users have to “feed” it — either a “meal,” consisting of a “rice bowl,” or a candy “snack” — and “clean up” after it goes to the “bathroom.” If they fail to care for it properly, the pet will “get sick” and could even “die.”(SD-Agencies) |