What is Tamagotchi?
[[File:Tamagotchi 0124 ubt.jpeg|thumb|right|A ''Tamagotchi'' game.]] '''''Tamagotchi''''' is a brand of handheld [[digital pet]]s. It was released in 1996. It was created in [[1996]] by [[Aki Maita]] and sold by [[Bandai]]. It is a [[strategy game]]. The main characters are also called Tamagotchi. The Tamagotchi are electronic pets, and the player takes care of them as part of the game. A new version of ''Tamagotchi'' was released in 2020.<ref name=CNN>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/11/tech/tamagotchi-on-wonder-garden/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=January 19, 2021|title=The Tamagotchi virtual pet from the 90s is back|author=Shannon Liao|date=June 11, 2020}}</ref> ==Gameplay== The player uses the handheld device to take care of the fictional pet. The player can feed it or let it go hungry, train it or abuse it. The tamagotchi will grow up strong, weak or run away depending on how the player acts. == Anime == In 2009, Tamagotchi got its own [[anime]]. == History == The first ''Tamagotchi'' was released in 1996 as a mobile [[digital pet]]. This game became popular in [[Japan]]. From 1997 to 1998 other types of Tamagotchi game were released. About 40 million games sold around the world. In 2004, ''Tamagotchi''' became popular again. The 2004 version of the game had infrared communication. The 2006 version could connect with mobile phones and personal computers. In 2006, a ''Tamagotchi''-themed school game was released. In this game, the player could make a class using a communication function. In 2007, Tamagotchi started to live with its family in the device. In 2008, the game was released with a colored screen and download items and mini games. In 2012, the communication function was made more complicated. ==By country== The ''Tamagotchi'' has stayed popular in Japan, but in the West it is sometimes popular and sometimes not. [[Bandai America]] sells ''Tamagotchi'' in a larger package in the United States because they want the buyer to believe it is worth the price, US$59.99.<ref name=CNN /