It was the toy of the ’90s that every child wanted…and every parent hated.
Now, 30 years after the original Tamagotchi hit shelves, the digital pet is back.
Bandai, the company behind the toy, has released a miniature version of the Tamagotchi, priced at ¥7700 (£35.54).
Called the ‘Tamagotchi Ring’, the new version features a small band that is designed to be worn on your finger.
‘The world’s smallest ring–shaped Tamagotchi device is born!’ Bandai explained in a video posted to its YouTube channel.
‘Enjoy the same basic Tamagotchi care as before, but in a stylish ring form with the new “Tamagotchi ring”!’
While there’s still a while to wait before fans can get their hands on it, many have already taken to social media to express their excitement.
‘My childhood responsibilities just got a wearable upgrade,’ one X user joked, while another added: ‘Propose to me with the Tamagotchi ring.’
It was the toy of the ’90s that every child wanted…and every parent hated. Now, 30 years after the original Tamagotchi hit shelves, the digital pet is back
Bandai, the company behind the toy, has released a miniature version of the Tamagotchi, priced at ¥7700 (£35.54)
Just like the original, the Tamagotchi Ring is egg–shaped and features an LCD screen.
However, at just 1.12 inches x 0.9 inches x 1.4 inches, it’s much smaller than its predecessor.
Users can choose between three colourways – pink and pearl white, light blue and metallic gold, or black and metallic silver.
However, if you want one, you’ll have to be patient.
Pre–orders won’t open through Bandai’s Japanese online store until 6 October, while shipping isn’t until February 2027.
Despite this lengthy wait, excitement is already palpable across social media.
Taking to X, one user said: ‘I’m supposed to be saving money this month and you reveal this magical device to me.’
Another added: ‘I hate how badly I want it.’
Users can choose between three colourways – pink and pearl white, light blue and metallic gold, or black and metallic silver
Pre–orders won’t open through Bandai’s Japanese online store until 6 October, while shipping isn’t until February 2027
And one joked: ‘A Tamagotchi ring sounds like a recipe for getting distracted every two minutes during work meetings.’
The original Tamagotchi was released in 1996, with the name coming from the Japanese word for egg – ‘tamago’ – and the English word ‘watch’.
The toy was described as a ‘digital pet’, and featured 35 characters that owners had to take care of.
Owners had to give them medicine when they were poorly and clean up after they’d been to the toilet.
The state of the characters’ happiness and hunger levels were indicated by meters, which had to be monitored frequently.
The early versions didn’t have a pause option and owners had to press a button every 30 minutes to feed them, otherwise they would starve to death.
This led to pupils the world over being distracted in class as they frantically tried to keep their Tamagotchis alive.
It was a big enough problem for teachers in some schools that the toys were banned.
However, the toy was praised for its potential to encourage empathy and responsibility amongst kids, and proved to be a huge hit, with more than 100 million units sold worldwide.
