TAMAGOTCHI FRIENDS BANDAI

History of the Tamagotchi brand

In 1996, Bandai first introduced the Tamagotchi, an interactive virtual digital pet that evolves differently depending on how well the user takes care of it. Since being named Most Innovative Toy at the British Association of Toy Retailers (BATR) Toy of the Year Awards in 1997, over 44 versions of the popular interactive virtual friend have sold over 80 million units worldwide, and Tamagotchi video games have been released on a wide range of video game platforms. In 2004 the Tamagotchi Connection range was launched, featuring more detailed virtual friends with infrared connectivity functions, which went on to be named Toy of the Year at the 2005 BATR Awards. The Tamagotchi Familtchi range launched in 2008, followed by the music-related Tamagotchi Music Star line in 2010. Play games with it, feed it when it's hungry, cure it when it's sick, and your Tamagotchi will develop into a good friend!