Jan 10, 2008 Kids can use the Gotchi Gear lanyard to carry their favorite Tamagotchi Connection toy around their neck, on their belt, or hooked to their backpack. Each lanyard is stylized with images of your favorite Tamagotchi character and includes a miniature figurine to match. About Tamagotchi Connection Originally launched in 1996, the egg-shaped Tamagotchi - which simulates the life cycle of a real pet - went on to sell more than 40 million units worldwide and created a brand new toy category within the industry.
CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bandai America Incorporated, a leader in introducing hot Japanese toy trends to the U.S. marketplace, is calling on fans to “live the Tamagotchi life” 24/7 with the new Tamagotchi Connection V4. As the most technologically advanced version of the world’s first and top selling “virtual pet” tech toy, kids can interact with their Tamagotchi character through every stage of life including going to school and growing up to choose their favorite career. Additionally, for the first time ever, Bandai America will unveil a mid-year refresh—Tamagotchi Connection Version 4.5—that has all the play value of V4, plus new career choices, mini games and design styles for even more fun.
“In addition to debuting our first mid-year refresh with the V4.5 toy, our Fall lineup extends the Tamagotchi brand with exciting new products, including plush, a decoration kit that allows you to ‘bling-out’ your V4 making it your own creation and a voice-interactive software pack with exclusive V4.5 toy,” said Michael Riley, vice president of marketing for Bandai America Inc. “Meanwhile, the Tamagotchi Connection toy now enhances the play by empowering fans like never before as they get to live the Tamagotchi lifestyle at home, at school and on the go.”
With the new V4 and V4.5, kids help determine their characters’ future careers and fates by playing the fun mini games in their Tamagotchi to earn “Skill Points.” Upon reaching adulthood, owners can then choose from a variety of 15 different professions as well as change careers later when openings become available. Careers include fashion designer, rock star, florist, baker, scientist, doctor and more.
V4 and V4.5 continue to introduce fans to the magical world of TamagotchiTown.com with new games, shopping and locales. While using “Gotchi Points” and special passwords, visitors can go online to shop in the mall, visit the Tamagotchi King and travel the world to exotic destinations like Paris, Africa and Tokyo. Kids can now also see their character interacting on the Web site as it goes to school, plays in the various games and partakes in life’s other daily adventures.
In addition to the V4.5 Tamagotchi, the new Fall lineup includes:
- Software: The Tamagotchi PC Pack turns your home computer or laptop into a Tama-wonderland with cool voice-activated software that allows kids to interact with characters on screen through games, and features a desktop character that fetches your email, dances on command and more. In addition to an exclusive Tamagotchi Connection V4.5 toy, the pack comes with a CD-ROM disk loaded with wallpapers, games and more for customizing your computer. And with the included tree-shaped microphone, kids can use voice commands to interact with their on-screen character.
- Accessories: Use the Tamagotchi Decoration Kit’s interchangeable skins to personalize your virtual pet with your favorite color or to match your mood of the day. For extra special sparkle, owners can even “bling” their Tamagotchi with the included jewels and character-themed stickers. The kits are available in several different character versions: Mametchi (blue skin), Memetchi (white) and Kuchipatchi (green). In September, Violetchi (pink) will also be available.
- Plush: The Tamagotchi Character Plush are colorful and cuddly plush companions that are petite, but super-sized in fun and friendship. In July, 5” character plush of Mametchi, Memetchi, Kuchipatchi, Gozarutchi, Violetchi and Ichigotchi are available.
The strength of the Tamagotchi brand has led to multiple successful licensing partnerships. NAMCO BANDAI Games has already introduced their second Nintendo DS title, with a Nintendo Wii version coming later in the year. Bandai Wireless’ mobile phone game is now available online at Bandaiwireless.com. GALERIE recently began offering Tamagotchi plush with candy, and Pressman Toy Corp. will soon have an electronic board game and puzzles.
About Tamagotchi Connection
Originally launched in 1997, the egg-shaped Tamagotchi – which simulates the life cycle of a real pet – went on to sell more than 40 million units worldwide and created a brand new toy category within the industry. Bandai America reintroduced the brand in 2004 with a new and highly popular infrared technology “connection” feature, thereby creating stronger-than-ever consumer demand among young kids and adults alike.
The new Tamagotchi Connection includes an ever-expanding assortment of design styles, the most games ever (20 games), 21 more characters (for a total of 53), and even more collectible souvenirs than before (144 total). V4/V4.5 builds on the play pattern of the very first virtual pet by letting owners connect their Tamagotchi with others – regardless of which version they have – via the infrared technology. The toys also have a snazzy new look, with a colorful ball on the antenna’s end, and come in a redesigned package.
Tamagotchi Connection V4 debuted in January at all major retailers nationwide with a SRP of $14.99. Gotchi GearTM lanyards, charms and Pet Pouches also debuted with a SRP of $4.99 - $7.99. Tamagotchi Connection V4.5 debuts in July, with the Character Plush, Decoration Kits and PC Accessory Packs (SRP of $4.99 - $34.99) coming as well. For more information about Tamagotchi, please visit www.Tamagotchi.com.
Tamagotchi Connection Lanyards For Girls
About Bandai America Incorporated
A leader in introducing Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., a new joint entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests encompass five strategic business units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), mobile content, and visual and music content (including home entertainment). Bandai America is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children’s toys and entertainment today, including Power Rangers, Ben 10, Team Galaxy, Tamagotchi and Girlz Connect. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at www.Bandai.com.
The Tamagotchi Connection (UK: Tamagotchi Connexion) is a virtual pet in the Tamagotchi line of digital toys from Bandai. The Tamagotchi Connection is unique from prior models in that it uses infrared technology to connect and interact with other devices and was first released in 2004, 8 years after the first Tamagotchi toy. Using the device's infrared port, the virtual pet (referred to as a Tamagotchi) can make friends with other Tamagotchis, in addition to playing games, giving and receiving presents and having a baby.
Versions 1 to 4 of Tamagotchi Connection have 6 levels of friendship that can be viewed in the Friends List:
- Acquaintance (one smiley-face)
- Buddy (two smiley-faces)
- Friend (three smiley-faces)
- Good friend (four smiley-faces)
- Best friend (two love-hearts, two smiley-faces, during connection they may kiss)
- Partner (four love-hearts, during connection they will kiss and may have babies)
Versions 5 and 6 have different levels.
If the Tamagotchi cannot find a partner from another device to have babies with, a matchmaker will come, allowing the Tamagotchi to have a baby with a computer-controlled Tamagotchi character. This applies to versions 1 to 4 and 6 only. Version 5 introduces a Dating Show game in which the user must play to gain a CPU partner.
Versions[edit]
All Tamagotchi Devices are capable of connecting with each other; however, a character from a newer Version will show on an older version as the mystery character known as Nazotchi.
Tamagotchi Connection v2 (2004)[edit]
The Tamagotchi Connection v2 introduces 'Gotchi Points', an in-game currency used to buy shop items. Also, more games are unlocked as the Tamagotchi ages. It has 6 stages of life:
- Egg - This only occurs once the device has been reset, either by pressing the reset button on the rear of the device or by installing a new battery. Once the clock has been set, it will hatch in one minute.
- Baby - The baby unlocks the game Jump.
- Child - The child unlocks the game Bump.
- Teenager - The teenager unlocks the game Heading.
- Adult - The adult unlocks the game Slot.
- Senior. The senior can only be unlocked if the Matchmaker is refused every time it appears. This applies to all versions.
Tamagotchi Connection v3 (2006)[edit]
Aside from different games, The Tamagotchi Connection v3 makes few changes in comparison to the v2 Like the v2, the older the Tamagotchi gets, the more games it has access to, and there are still 6 stages of life.
- Egg - Like the v2, the egg is the first stage and occurs when the device has been reset. When the clock has been set, the egg will hatch in one minute.
- Baby - The baby unlocks the game Get Music.
- Child. The child unlocks the game Bump.
- Teenager. The teenager unlocks the games Flag and Heading.
- Adult. The adult unlocks the games Memory and Sprint.
- Senior. Like on the v2, the Senior can only be unlocked by refusing the Matchmaker every time it appears.
Other differences from the v2
- There is no 'Treat' option in the food.
- There are new 'Password' and 'Souvenir' options.
- When you are connecting with another v3, visiting is a new option.
- There are new 'Point' and 'Family' options in the friendbook.
Tamagotchi Connection v4 Jinsei (2007)[edit]
As in previous versions, Tamagotchis play games for a certain amount of 'Gotchi Points' and unlock more games as it ages.
- Egg - This only occurs when the device has been reset. Once the clock has been set, it will hatch in one minute.
- Baby - The baby unlocks the game Jumping Rope.
- Child - The child unlocks the game Mimic.
- Teenager - The teenager unlocks the games Shape, Dance and Flag.
- Adult - As an adult, the Tamagotchi can get a job which unlocks various mini-games, depending on what job the player chooses for the Tamagotchi.
- Senior - Much like previous versions, the Senior life stage can only be achieved by refusing the matchmaker every time it appears.
The Tamagotchi Connection makes additional changes to gameplay instead of simply changing the games and other minor details. For example, the child and teenager can go to school and play mini-games, where an adult can get a job. Also, the 'Lamp' menu item (allows the user to turn the 'light' on or off) is no longer present. Instead, it is replaced with a 'Mail' menu item where the player can check for any mail they will occasionally receive.
New to the Tamagotchi Connection with the v4 is the ability for a child or teenager Tamagotchi to go to school and an adult to go to work. The player can choose which teacher they want once the Tamagotchi reaches the Teenage stage, and will train either 'Funny Points', 'Gorgeous Points' and 'Spiritual Points' through mini-games. The player also chooses what job an adult Tamagotchi gets and will unlock mini-games based on this choice.
Tamagotchi Connection v4.5[edit]
The Connection v4.5 makes minimal changes to gameplay from the v4, short of adding new games; however, the Tamagotchi is now able to collect 'Life Points'.
- Egg - This only occurs when the device has been reset. Once the clock has been set, it will hatch in one minute.
- Baby - The baby unlocks the game Climb.
- Child - The child unlocks the game Tug of War.
- Teenager - The teenager unlocks the games Apples, Shapes, and Man-hole.
- Adult - As an adult, the Tamagotchi can get a job which unlocks various mini-games, depending on what job the player chooses for the Tamagotchi.
- Senior - Much like previous versions, the Senior life stage can only be achieved by refusing the matchmaker every time it appears.
PC[edit]
This option is needed to visit the V4 online world of Tamagotchi Town. The Tamagotchi goes off the screen and a Log-In Password is provided. At Tamagotchi Town, the password is entered and Tamagotchi Town appears on-screen. In Tamagotchi Town, many things can be done, such as:
- Shopping for items and food (up to 10)
- Earning 'Gotchi' points (up to 9900)
- Earning souvenirs
- Travelling to different countries
- Going to preschool
- Going to school
- Going to work
- Playing games
- Visit previous Tamagotchis
Tamagotchi Connection v5 Familitchi (2008)[edit]
The Tamagotchi Connection v5 is the English version of the FamiTama and is the first Tamagotchi to be exactly the same (besides language) worldwide since the Tamagotchi Plus. It was released in Asia on January 6, 2008 in Australia on January 10, 2008 and was released worldwide later in February 2008. The v5 introduces the ability to raise families, with 3-5 parents and kids. It also has a new website that it shares with the Famitama, the 'Tama and Earth Expo'. According to the package, 'The Tamagotchis set up this expo to learn more about Earth.' It contains a central pavilion and 4 other pavilions representing each of the main areas of the Earth. It also included a TV option where the player can use Gotchi Points to shop on the Shopping Channel, find a mate with the Dating Show, or go travelling on the Travelling Show which replaces the pause function of previous generations. There is a design flaw with the v5 which prevents it from properly connecting to the other Tamagotchis in the series.
Differences from previous versions:
- Individual Tamagotchis cannot be named. Instead, a family name is selected and individuals are identified by their character type.
- There is a family bond percentage
- The Discipline is replaced with a Play option.
- The Medicine chest is expanded to contain general items as well.
Life stages and games[edit]
- Egg
- Baby
- Child
- Teenager
- Adult
- Parent (replacing the Senior life stage of previous generations)
When raising a family without parents, only the TV Surfing and Tea Time games are available. Having parents unlocks the Golf Putt and Shoe Pairs games. The Tamagotchi Connection v5 also has a v5.5 variant, which brings minimal changes to the generation.
Tamagotchi Connection v6 Music Star[edit]
The Tamagotchi Connection v6 is the final release in the Connection series and allows the Tamagotchi to become a pop star. As the Tamagotchi ages, it will learn a musical instrument and a band manager will come once the Tamagotchi reaches 5 in-game years of age. Every Tamagotchi Connection v6 includes a guitar pick with a code for Tamatown on it.
Life Stages and Games[edit]
- Egg
- Baby
- Child
- Teenager
- Adult
- Senior
The Tamagotchi can play all three music games, Sing A Song, Music Notes and Sound Block from birth. The Tamagotchi has a band from the teenager stage, whose members cannot be named, but the band itself can.
Friendship[edit]
The Adoptive Connection Glitter Pad has 6 levels of friendship which is depends on the level, they will fall in love or not. Below is the list of Friendship Levels.
- Assistant (one smiley face, during connection, they are unlikely to kiss together.)
- Buddy (two smiley faces, during connection, they may kiss.)
- Patron (three smiley faces, during connection, they are equally likely to kiss together.)
- Friend (four smiley faces, during connection, they are equally likely to kiss together and unlikely to have a baby.)
- Good Friend (two love hearts, during connection they may kiss and equally likely to have a baby.)
- Best Friend (four love hearts, during connection they will kiss and likely to have babies.)