Fake Tamagotchi Toys

Fake Tamagotchi Toys are counterfeit virtual pets that advertise themselves as Tamagotchi pets, but do not have the same functionality or quality as authentic models. They cannot interact with official Tamagotchi toys, are made with cheaper materials, and are not considered suitable as a Tamagotchi alternative.

History

Vintage Era

Following the release of the original Tamagotchi, Bandai had significant issues keeping up with the product demand throughout Japan. During this time, several imitation virtual pets with similar functionality to the Tamagotchi were released to capitalize on the demand. Some of these include the Gyaoppi virtual pets, the Smart Chick, and the Dino Baby. Unlike other competing virtual pet brands (such as the Giga Pets or Dinkie Dino), these all borrowed heavily from the Tamagotchi's core gameplay, including copying the icon layout and the "Left or Right" game. Due to the low quality nature of these virtual pets, having rushed production schedules and low quality materials, few functional examples remain.

Modern Era

Since the reintroduction of Tamagotchi virtual pets in 2004, a specific model of fake Tamagotchi pets, known as the "168 in 1" has been circulating the online market. They all share visual similarities to the Tamagotchi Connection and Tamagotchi Plus releases, though they contain inferior programming that does not resemble the original toys.

In July 2004, Bandai began a full-scale investigation on the production of the counterfeit toys, and put out press releases to help consumers identify the differences between the official pets and the counterfeits. While the fake models continued rapid production since, their overall molds have altered significantly to less resemble the official models. Despite difference in the appearance and shape between models over the years, the programming has not changed since 2004.

During Tamagotchi's global 20th anniversary in 2017, fake virtual pets flooded online markets. As of 2019, several counterfeit models have appeared in retail stores, such as Hot Topic and Target. Auctions and third party sites are heavily sponsored on Google and eBay, pushing them to the top of search results and, as a result, burying authentic Tamagotchi results below them. While Amazon hosts and promotes authentic Tamagotchi sales pages, fake models also appear among the Tamagotchi search results.

Identifying a Fake

A stock image often used to promote the counterfeit models.

As the "168 in 1" has become the most common counterfeit model, having maintained production since 2004, this guide is dedicated to identifying one.

• They are generally modeled after the 2004-2009 era of Tamagotchi pets. They are most likely to have the "egg with antenna" shape used for the Tamagotchi Connection Version 3, Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus, Akai, and Hanerutchi 1, except they have four buttons, a deeply recessed screen, an offset logo, and the key ring between the infrared port and antenna instead of on the right side.
  • 2004 counterfeits are likely to look identical to a Japanese shell, with the exception of minor color differences, including buttons, printed graphics, and body color. Shell lists for a particular version may be used to identify a fake.
  • Some models, including the PixaPet and the Hey Kitty, use a more egg-like shape with the buttons centered beneath the screen, and a flat front with a printed decal sticker.
  • For versions after the Tamagotchi Plus, the shell is most likely to have the incorrect printed background for that version (for example, a Ura Jinsei Enjoy Tamagotchi Plus shell with a Tamagotchi Plus background).
  • The Infrared port may have a different color from the norm; official Tamagotchi toys' infrared port will be one of two shades of red (but can be black on some limited edition shells).
  • Counterfeit models typically have four buttons on the front, while some may have five. The buttons are often labeled, either with a letter (A, B, C) or with a function (Status, Decide, Cancel, Reset).
  • Fakes typically have a distorted red version of the original "Tamagotchi Connection" logo printed above the screen. Later models that have printed decal fronts do not include the logo.
  • Often, the screen is extremely flimsy and made of cheap material; touching it while it's operational can cause it to be indented or damaged.
  • They often take 2 LR44 batteries, while legitimate Connection and Plus models take one CR2032.
• It is most likely to be in unusual packaging, typically plastic on a card.
  • The packaging and instructions (if any are included) are most likely to be in broken English.
  • The packaging is not likely to have any trademark information or the Bandai logo.
    • The Bandai logo may sometimes be present, but put on as a sticker instead of printed on the packaging.
  • The name "Tamagotchi" is most likely to either be missing or misspelled.
  • The packaging is most likely to have the letters "JD" on it, possibly indicating "JiDan"..
  • It is most likely to have phrases such as "50 in 1", "Touchscreen", or "Spanish Edition".
  • It may sometimes come bundled with random accessories, such as a laser pen, lanyard, stylus, or case.
  • It is most likely to be named as a version (anywhere between Version 3 through Version 9).
• The programming on the toy will not resemble an authentic Tamagotchi in any way.
  • The characters include counterfeit sprites taken from Tamagotchi, Digimon, and other video game franchises, as well as animals, cartoon and anime characters, and original characters.
    • The character will not be fully animated, only appearing as a fixed sprite on the main screen, while another character (typically a chicken or a Marutchi or Babytchi like character) appears during the gameplay animations.
    • The user is prompted to choose and name a character at the beginning. At random, the user's character may change into another.
  • If the packaging claims the toy is Version 3 through Version 6, the programming will not resemble that version.
  • It will have much larger pixels on the LCD. Some may have icons, while others do not.
  • Often, the labels over the buttons will not match the function of the button. This can cause the user to accidentally reset their pet during normal play.
  • It may not be able to communicate with other Tamagotchi toys, legitimate or counterfeit.
    • In later models, there is no connectivity at all, with the infrared port on top having nothing connected to it, and the "Connection" icon having a different function.
  • Often, there is no Death sequence of any kind. Instead, the pet will continue to operate until the batteries wear down.

Gallery

2004 press image showing an official Tamagotchi toy, left, next to a counterfeit, right.

Counterfeit often found on auction sites, sold with a large plastic egg or in a plastic bag.

The Spanish edition V3 Conexión animal "UraPet".

A 2004 counterfeit (with Bandai logo sticker).

A fake with an orange top, an extreme accessory and 4 buttons.

PixaPet, sold by Hot Topic, which features the same programming.

"Hey Kitty", a fake designed to imitate the Hello Kitty Tamagotchi

Qpet, a fake based off the Tamagotchi Plus Color

A later version of Qpet

Touma Pet, another Tamagotchi fake, but with unique characters

External Links

• Tonight 2 news broadcast on fake Tamagotchi pets, April 1997
• Tamagotchi Plus counterfeiters exposed in China (English)
• Tamagotchi Plus counterfeiters exposed in China (Japanese)