Tamagotchi Gen 2 Review

Reviewed by Alison Rood

I don’t think you can hear the word Tamagotchi without being transported back to the 90s.

The feeling of panic comes flooding back as you remember having to leave your precious “baby” while you went to school. You either had to risk leaving it unattended in your room (and pray it doesn’t die!) or with a “babysitter” – in my case, this was usually my Mum.

Now, 26 years after opening my own Tamagotchi on Christmas morning I am opening my Son’s and I am the “babysitting Mum” – and I am loving it!

I find myself asking my 5 year old does he need to me feed or play with “Dave” – I have to keep reminding myself that he (yes we have gendered him!) belongs to my son and not me.

For those who weren’t lucky enough to have been growing up in the 90s, you may not have heard of a Tamagotchi. So let’s go into detail about them…..

A Tamagotchi is a virtual pet. He/she/other lives in an egg shaped electronic device which comes in a range of different designs, so there is something for everyone. Designs range from flowery, to comic themed, to glitter, to graffiti.

This particular review is about the Gen 2 Tamagotchi. This version is much truer to the original `97 pet. The graphics are extremely basic by today’s standard, which my son commented on right away. But for me, and my nostalgia, it is perfect.

For those who prefer something more modern, the brand has released a few different versions, including Nano and Pix.

The Nano allows kids to interact with some of their favourite pop culture characters including characters from Toy Story, Star Wars and Jurassic Park to name a few.

The Pix looks amazing and even includes a camera! You can connect to your friend’s Pix and arrange playdates for your pets.

So – what can you do with your Gen 2 pet?

Pretty much all the things you do with a real pet! Feed it, play with it, give it medicine when it is sick, clean up it’s “accidents” and check it’s health (mood)

You even have to discipline it! If your Tamagotchi cries for your attention despite being fed, played with, clean and healthy – then you have to shout at it.

The “aim” is to raise your pet from egg to adult without killing it. How you look after it will determine how long it lives and which of the adults it turns into.

As well as being incredibly fun and cute, the Tamagotchi gives kids a sense of responsibility without the cost and commitment of a real pet!

Handily, it comes on a chain. This is a great addition as it means that during the summer holidays, for any holidays or days out, your child can attach it to their backpack or jacket.

This is at least the 2nd Tamagotchi in our family that I know of. I bought one for my Niece for her birthday a few months ago and she was over the moon with it. So much so that she now owns 3 of them! Her sister took a shining to them too, so that is her next present sorted.

It comes in sturdy protective plastic, inside a nicely designed cardboard sleeve. It is very easy to access, I didn’t even need to get the scissors out – a practically unheard of scenario for kids toys!  There is a battery pull tab on the side which activates your pet when pulled.

Set the time – and away you go, you are now the proud parent of a virtual pet!

Rating: 4.5/5 (from both me and my 5 year old!) – My only downside is the lighting on the screen – could do with a brighter backlight.

You can view a wide range of Tamagotchi products at https://tamagotchi.com/

The website also contains information on where you can buy them from and they retail at around £16.99