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Tamagotchi Plus
Tamagotchi Plus (たまごっちプラス) represents the second major Japanese Tamagotchi franchise, succeeding the original era. The franchise debuted in 2004, with the final model released in 2008. Internationally, it corresponds to the Tamagotchi Connection franchise, with several models being identical across different regions.
Releases
Kaettekita! Tamagotchi Plus released in 2004 was the first major release in the franchise’s new era. It reintroduced the Tamagotchi brand and added core features like connectivity, items and marriage that would become staples in future models. Internationally, this model was known as the Tamagotchi Connection, later rebranded as Version 1.
Iwai Kētai Kaitsū! Tamagotchi Plus, launched in November 2004, introduced Gotchi Points and the ability to connect to a mobile game. A summer-themed version, Iwai Kētai Kaitsū! Tamagotchi Plus Akai Series, was released in July 2005, featuring new characters, games, items, and a red LCD.
Chou Jinsei Enjoi! Tamagotchi Plus (also known as Entama), released in November 2005, introduced family grouping for characters and defined many as male or female. It featured a wider variety of items, an education and job system based on Skill Points, a cooking feature, and connectivity to an online site called E-Tamago. An alternate version, Ura Jinsei Enjoi! Tamagotchi Plus (Uratama), was released in July 2006 with new characters, items, games and a blue LCD.
A rerelease called Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus CYOI Change (CYOI Entama) came out in December 2006, identical to the standard Entama but with 3 new games. Family Iro Iro! Tamagotchi Plus (Famitama), released in 2007, introduced a wider screen, the ability to raise 3 characters together and special families through marriage. Internationally, this was released as Tamagotchi Connection Version 5. A second version, Dream Royal Family Tamagotchi Plus, was released in March 2008 with new games, characters and items. This was released internationally as Tamagotchi Connection Version 5 Celebrity (Version 5.5).
Tamagotchi Connection (2024 Pet) was the 20th anniversary re-release of the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus and Tamagotchi Connection Version 3. Released globally in English and Japanese, it was the first Tamagotchi Plus device under the Tamagotchi Connection franchise name. Japanese shell designs were reprints of the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus with clear, glittery, and pearlescent updates.
Several tie-in devices were also released:
Chibi Tamagotchi, a simplified pet featuring original Tamagotchi characters was released in late 2005 and rereleased in 2017 for the 20th anniversary. Internationally, it was known as the Tamagotchi Mini.
Chou Yarikuri Enjoi! Tamagotchi Kakeibo, a touch-screen money management device, was released in April 2006.
Tamagotchi Lets TV! Play Tamagotchi Resort, a plug-and-play TV game, was released in September 2006.
Tamagotchi School, putting users in the role of a teacher, was released in November 2006 with a second version in February 2007.
Other releases included the Tamagotchi Music Fever (December 2006), TamagoChu (January 2007), Power UP! Tamagotchi School Championship Let’s! TV Play Card (March 2007), Tamagotchi Restaurant (July 2007), and Tamagotchi no Fureai Furendo Chamametchi (July 2008).
Home Deka devices included the Home Deka Tamagotchi (July 2005), Home Deka Tamagotchi Game King Playoff (October 2006), and Tamagotchi School FureFure! Club Activities! (April 2007).
Licensed models included the Hanerutchi and Hanerutchi 2, based on the Japanese comedy show Haneru No Tobira, and the Oden-Kun Tamagotchi, based on the Odenkun animated series.
Watch a video introducing Tamagotchi Plus:
Design
The Tamagotchi Plus toys are bigger than the old ones. They’re about 2.2 inches tall and 1.9 inches wide. They have a bigger screen with smaller dots, making clearer pictures. On top of the device, there’s a special spot for the infrared light to work. The hole for the keychain is on the right side. Like older Tamagotchis, it has a black-and-white screen with a printed background. Some special ones even have unique backgrounds you can’t get anywhere else.
Later Tamagotchi Plus releases were about the same size and shape, but some had an extra part on the left side.
Different types had different extras:
- The Keitai ones had a cell phone antenna.
- The Entama had an antenna with a ball on top.
- The Uratama had an antenna with a star on top.
- The Family ones had a big loop with a plastic key hanging from it.
Gameplay
Growth and Lifespan
In all Tamagotchi Plus models, the pet progresses through several life stages via Evolution, transforming into different characters over time. The quality of care provided by the user determines which character the Tamagotchi evolves into and its lifespan. Some models feature special characters obtainable only under specific conditions.
The Plus models introduce a senior stage, occurring when an adult Tamagotchi lives for an extended period without marrying. Family models exclusively feature a parent stage, where the adult character transforms into a more parental form when the next generation begins.
Unlike vintage models, Plus models don’t have set lifespans for each character. Instead, lifespan is directly tied to care through “Care Mistakes.” If the user fails to respond to a call for attention within 15 minutes, the icon turns off and a care mistake is recorded.
Frequent care mistakes increase the likelihood of raising an unhealthy adult and the risk of death. Some models offer ways to reverse care mistakes, extending the Tamagotchi’s life and improving chances of raising a healthy adult.
Clock and Calendar
As with original models, the clock must be set before the Tamagotchi can hatch. The A button toggles between 12-hour and 24-hour formats. Plus models introduce a calendar feature, requiring the month and day to be set along with the clock. Users must also input their birthday.
Throughout the year, seasonal animations play based on the calendar date. Holidays and animations vary between models, but all models play a special animation on the user’s birthday.
Health Meter
Every model features a Health meter screen as the first icon, displaying the Tamagotchi’s overall stats. This includes hunger and happiness levels, age, weight, gender, generation, and Gotchi Points. Other model-specific stats, such as Training meter or Skill Points, are also shown here.
Generation
Each version tracks Generations, indicating how many times the user has raised and married a Tamagotchi. In certain versions, whether the generation is odd or even determines which adults the user can raise. The first generation sometimes functions differently from subsequent ones.
Feed
The feeding icon, always the second icon, offers at least two food options: “Meal” to fill the Hungry meter and “Snack” to fill the Happy meter. Both increase the Tamagotchi’s weight. From the Keitai onwards, additional food options may be purchased, either as permanent unlocks or consumable items.
Bathroom
Tamagotchi will leave poo on the screen throughout their life. Users must select the appropriate icon to clean it. Leaving poo for too long may cause illness, with multiple poops significantly increasing illness likelihood. If users select the bathroom icon just before the Tamagotchi poos, it will use a toilet instead and gain a Happy heart.
Games
Every model features at least two games. Playing well increases the Tamagotchi’s Happy meter and decreases weight. In models prior to the Famitama, the Tamagotchi must be over its base weight to play games.
Gotchi Points
Introduced from the Keitai onward, Gotchi Points are currency earned from performing well in games. They can be exchanged for items and foods. Later models offer additional ways to earn Gotchi Points.
Items
Items can be accumulated through various means and used by selecting them from the inventory. Many items are limited to adult Tamagotchi use. Items are listed under the Notebook icon in the Plus and Keitai models, but have their own dedicated icon from the Entama onward.
Connection
All Tamagotchi Plus models feature an infrared port for connecting to other models. Connected Tamagotchi can play games and exchange presents. Frequent connections strengthen friendship. Adult Tamagotchi of opposite genders can fall in love and eventually marry when connected.
Compatibility
While many models can connect to other models, marriage is generally limited to the same model type. The Plus model is an exception, capable of marrying Versions 1 through 4.5 of the Tamagotchi Connection series. If a character from one unit isn’t present on the other, it’s rendered as a placeholder Nazotchi.
Deka Tamagotchi
Tamagotchi Plus devices could connect to Deka Tamagotchi, large devices placed in Japanese storefronts. Different Deka models were created for each Tamagotchi Plus release.
E-Tamago
E-Tamago was an interactive website where users could send their Tamagotchi via passcode, play games, and unlock special items. Introduced with the Entama, different TamaTown iterations became core features of subsequent versions. With E-Tamago’s shutdown, accessing exclusive content is now only possible through code manipulation.
Training
Many models include a Training feature for scolding or praising the pet. Successful training increases the Training meter in the health display.
Medicine
All models feature Sickness, indicated by a floating black skull, which prevents pet care. Selecting the appropriate icon cures the Tamagotchi. Excessive snack consumption can cause cavities, shown by a tooth symbol.
Light
Tamagotchi sleep at night, requiring users to turn off lights. Pets turn lights on themselves in the morning. Early versions have a separate light icon, while later versions automate this process.
Notebook
The Notebook icon tracks connected Tamagotchi, showing names and friendship levels. Later versions allow Gotchi Point donations, family record viewing, and display of deceased characters.
Attention
An “Attention” icon lights up with a beep when the Tamagotchi needs something, such as food, happiness, training, or when sick or sleepy.
Marriage
Adult Tamagotchi can marry after 48 hours. From 72 hours, a Matchmaker appears thrice daily offering potential partners. After marriage, a baby is produced, staying with the parent for two days before the cycle restarts.
Death
Tamagotchi eventually die from neglect or old age, shown by a gravestone and floating Obaketchi (or a family shrine in Family pets). Pressing A and C together restarts the life cycle, with items and Gotchi Points carried over.
Sound
Pressing A and C simultaneously on the main screen toggles sound on/off, except during specific animations.
