Tamagotchis took the world by storm when they first arrived in the late '90s. They offered children a chance to raise their own digital animals, making them great for those whose parents would not allow them to get pets. Their influence has shaped gaming in many ways, from Call of Duty having a Tamagotchi like in-game accessory to the Dreamcast's VMU featuring Tamagotchi style games. Although the craze may have died down a bit since then, there's still plenty of enjoyment to be found in Tamagotchi ownership. Rewarding as it may be though, it's not without its challenges.
Raising a happy and healthy Tamagotchi demands a significant amount of hard work and determination. They require regular food, cleaning, and playtime in order to remain both physically and emotionally healthy. This may sound easy enough, but it's a huge responsibility that should never be taken on lightly. Anybody who is seriously hoping to master the art of Tamagotchi ownership has a lot to learn.
10 Choose The Right One
There are many different types of Tamagotchi on the market, with some requiring significantly more user input than others. Those with busy lives would be better served finding one where the animal being raised is fairly self-sufficient. Conversely, those with a nurturing nature should look for one that's going to appeal to those instincts.
Furthermore, choosing the right type of animal can also be incredibly important. As well as selecting an animal that they actually like, users should consider how many different growth stages the animal has. In that sense, they are a lot like Pokémon evolving as they mature, which can be incredibly rewarding to observe. Physical changes in the animal show progress, which can in turn keep owners' morale and motivation high.
9 Understand Its Needs
How often does the Tamagotchi need to eat? How frequently does it need to be cleaned? Does it require playtime to develop healthily? These are all important questions when it comes to raising a Tamagotchi and ones that owners will need to find out the answers to before beginning their journey.
Starvation is the number one cause of death in Tamagotchis, but in most cases it could have been easily avoided had their owners simply taken the time to fully understand them. Although a lack of playtime is rarely fatal, it can seriously impact a Tamagotchi's social development and so is every bit as important as regular meals and cleaning.
8 Check The Batteries
Those purchasing a new Tamagotchi need not worry about batteries, but anybody picking up a second-hand unit would do well to replace the batteries before starting out. There's nothing more devastating than having to watch a beloved Tamagotchi slowly fade away as its battery drains. Unfortunately though, at this point there's nothing that can be done to save it.
It's also important to use high-quality batteries. Cheaper batteries have a tendency to run out far quicker than premium ones, which can have a huge bearing on a Tamagotchi's lifespan. It might seem trivial, but it's absolutely worth the extra cost. By investing a little more at the beginning, owners can save themselves a lot of heartache later.
7 Draw Up A Schedule
Raising a Tamagotchi is a full-time commitment much like parenthood. Although Tamagotchis are a lot less likely to wake their owners up in the night, they still require near-constant attention. The sooner that owners can get into a routine of feeding and cleaning their Tamagotchi, the better.
Things like school and work need to be taken into account, as do vacations and family events. There's nothing worse than having to excuse oneself from dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's to go and feed a Tamagotchi, so users should ensure to feed them earlier to avoid the awkward glares from Mom.
6 Take The Right Precautions
This may come as a surprise to many, but police don't seem to treat reports of missing Tamagotchis very seriously. When a child goes missing, countless officers are on the scene in an instant, but when it's a Tamagotchi, they tend to just laugh and say that a grown man shouldn't be playing with children's toys. As such, owners should take all of the right precautions to ensure that their Tamagotchis stays safe.
Those planning to take their Tamagotchi out and about would be wise to invest in a chain to attach it to a belt loop. Furthermore, many Tamagotchi feature plastic fastenings rather than metal and so it might be a good idea to swap it out for something a bit more sturdy if the original looks weak. It may seem like overkill, but keeping a Tamagotchi safe is far easier than finding it again after it goes missing.
5 Keep It Away From Siblings
Siblings have been the scourge of Tamagotchi owners since the very beginning. Due to their ignorance of the joys of raising a Tamagotchi, many older brothers and sisters find it funny to reset them. Mom and Dad might shout at them for doing so, but there's nothing that they can do to revive a reset Tamagotchi.
Younger siblings aren't much better either. Their curiosity can lead to random button mashing, which in turn can cause undue stress to the Tamagotchi. Sticky hands can also be a problem and can leave the Tamagotchi's plastic enclosure requiring a thorough clean. To avoid these issues, it's best to follow the advice of Gandalf. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
4 Don't Overdo It On Treats
Much like with dogs and other pets, giving treats to a Tamagotchi is a great way to keep it happy while also strengthening its bond with its owner. As always though, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Owners may think they're doing their Tamagotchi a favor, but they're often doing more harm than good by providing too many treats.
As well as the obvious health issues that overfeeding can lead to, treating a Tamagotchi too often can seriously cheapen the experience. A 'treat' should be just that — something nice that happens occasionally to reward good behavior. When given too frequently though, it no longer serves this purpose and can become something that's expected regardless of whether or not the Tamagotchi is behaving well.
3 Never Trust Parents
At first glance, parents might seem like the perfect choice when looking for somebody to babysit a Tamagotchi. But think back to the time when Dad made candy for dinner or the countless occasions when Mom has referred to a non-Nintendo game or console as 'The Nintendo,' and you'll see why they might not be such a wise choice. Of course, as generations shift and parents find themselves more and more tech-savvy or gaming-inclined, it's good to keep in mind that your mileage might vary here.
But generally, when it comes to Tamagotchi, friends make for far better caregivers than even the very best parents ever could. Not only do they understand the needs of a Tamagotchi, but they likely also appreciate the importance of the bond between Tamagotchi and owner. Better still, there's a good chance they have their own Tamagotchi and so will have a working schedule already in place.
2 Make Time For Play Time
Feeding and watering a Tamagotchi are integral to its survival and will take up a significant amount of their owner's time. In focusing too much on these tasks though, it can be very easy to lose sight of what's important. Social interaction is healthy not just for the Tamagotchi, but also for the owner as well.
Without the bond formed through play, raising a Tamagotchi can become a dull and loveless task. It's when this happens that Tamagotchis begin to get neglected. Keeping oneself motivated throughout a Tamagotchi's life can at times be difficult, but a healthy portion of playtime can help to keep enthusiasm high.
1 Celebrate Every Milestone
Sad though it may be, the likelihood that an owner will at some point have to say goodbye to their digital friend is incredibly high. Like all pets, the average life expectancy of a Tamagotchi is far lower than that of a human, and, as such, owners should be prepared for the day when the screen eventually goes dim.
Although the loss will be painful, focusing on the happier times can really help to soften the blow. By creating as many memories as possible, owners will be able to overcome their grief far quicker. Furthermore, after the scars have healed, they'll also have plenty of happy moments to look back on when remembering their fallen friend.