A Deka Tamagotchi (でかたまごっち Deka Tamagotchi) is a large Tamagotchi produced to promote certain Tamagotchi releases, and are found in shops and restaurants in Japan.
Most Deka Tamagotchis feature a red, heart-shaped infrared sensor just above the screen, allowing certain Tamagotchi toys to connect. Deka Tamagotchis aren't sold to the general public, though some retired machines can be found online. All Deka Tamagotchis featured in shops and stores are plugged into the wall rather than running on batteries.
Promotional Deka Tamagotchi Variations[]
Deka Tamagotchi (Lotteria)[]
Lotteria Deka Tamagotchi at a press conference.
The Deka Tamagotchi (でかたまごっち), also known as the Lotteria Deka Tamagotchi (ロッテリアのでかたまごっちは), was the first Deka Tamagotchi released alongside the Tamagotchi Plus in March 2004.
They were found primarily in Lotteria restaurants with the store logo branded on the lower bezel of the screen, though some could be found in other shops and events.
The characters varied between the shop's location, and each Deka was programmed with six possible characters: Bagatchi, Maikutchi, Capsuletchi, Omuratchi, Tsutayatchi, and Tamagotchi.
As with connections to other Tamagotchi devices, the Deka Tamagotchi was unable to connect with Tamagotchis in their "baby" stage, and connections with characters on the Deka were recorded in the Tamagotchi's friend list. The Deka Tamagotchi was only available for the in-store Lotteria promotion from March 20 2004 until the end of June 2004, and was incompatible with the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus.
Tama Shop[]
A Keitai connecting to a Tama Shop
The Deka Tama Shop (でかたまショッピ) was the first version of the shopping-type promotional Deka released alongside the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus.
The Deka featured a small store where Tamagotchi owners could purchase various foods, items, and travel tickets for their Tamagotchi with exclusive items depending on the region of Japan it was stationed in; each Deka Tama Shop was represented by a character based on a different region, including Rakunotchi, Namahagetchi, Edokotchi, Shuchitchi, Maikotchi, Tosabochitchi, and Uminchutchi.
The Deka's region could be determined by the corresponding character's name printed on the lower bezel of the screen. The Deka Tama Shops were compatible with Keitai and Akai Tamagotchis, and were incompatible with the Tamagotchi Plus.
Game Center[]
A Game Center in its cardboard housing
The Deka Tamagotchi Game Center (でかたまごっちゲームセンター) was released in 2005 alongside the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus and the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus Akai. The Deka would randomly shuffle through various games for the Tamagotchi owner to play, and gotchi point winnings could be transferred to their Tamagotchi.
There were 5 games on the deka, including a picture matching game, a slot machine, a 'heart-catching' game, a food-catching game, and a fortune teller. The Game Center was compatible with the Akai and Entama, though it is unknown if the latter earned Skill Points for their efforts as they would with built-in Entama games.
TamaTama Market[]
TamaTama Market
The Deka Tamagotchi Shopping Center (でかたまごっちショッピングセンター), known colloquially as the TamaTama Market for the prominent writing on the screen's bezel, was the second version of the shopping-type Deka released as a companion to the Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus. The Deka featured a special shop where a owner could purchase foods and items for their Tamagotchi. The TamaTama Market was compatible with the Keitai, Akai, and UraTama.
Princess Tamako's Royal Market[]
Royal Market Deka as it appeared on tour
The Princess Tamako's Royal Market (たまこ姫のロイヤルマーケット) Deka Tamagotchi was released alongside the Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus. Players could purchase special food items that would increase their Tamagotchi's Skill Points. The Royal Market Deka was a pearlescent white with the words "TAMA ROYAL MARKET" printed in English on the screen's bezel. When making appearances at conventions and promotional events the Royal Market was seated on a replica of Princess Tamako's throne or on a special pedestal. When the Entama-compatible Deka Tamagotchis went on the "Tamagotchi Tours" of local shopping malls in March 2006, the Royal Market was presented in cardboard housing similar to the Game Center and TamaTama Market. The Royal Market Deka was compatible with the Uratama, and it is currently unknown if Keitai or Akai Tamagotchis were compatible.
GOTCH KING[]
GOTCH KING Deka on model throne
The GOTCH KING "PRESENT FOR YOU" Deka Tama (ごっち大王のキングオブでかたま) was a special event Deka Tamagotchi with a shiny metallic golden shell, typically displayed on a replica throne of the Gotch King Tamagotchi character. Connections with this Deka would gift your Tamagotchi with a "Money Tree" from the Gotch King, an item that would net your character 100 gotchi points from each use. The upper bezel of the screen read "GOTCH KING" while the lower read "PRESENT FOR YOU" in English. The GOTCH KING deka was displayed mainly at conventions and Tamagotchi brand events, it was compatible with Entama and Uratama devices, it is currently unknown if Keitai or Akai Tamagotchis were compatible.
Jukutama[]
A Red "Language" Jukutama
The Juku Tamagotchi (じゅくたまごっち), known simply as the Jukutama, was released alongside the Tamagotchi School in November 2006, continuing the concept of "extracurricular activities" or additional schooling for Entama and UraTama devices. There were 6 variations of the Jukutama, each containing different activities based on different areas of learning with each subject written on the upper bezel of each Deka: red language (こくご), blue math (さんすう), yellow science (りか), pink music (おんがく), orange gym (たいいく), and green art (ずこう).
Big Heart Tamagotchi[]
The Big Heart Tamagotchi (ハートのでかたまごっち Hāto no deka Tamagotchi) was a Deka Tamagotchi installed in the Tamagotchi Department Store following the release of the Family Iro Iro! Tamagotchi Plus. Unlike other Deka units, it featured a large full-color screen. When connecting to the unit, if the user donated 1,000 Gotchi Points, the unit would reward them with a Magokorotchi item. A tally above the device showed how many Gotchi Points had been donated.
Tamagotchi Stations[]
Deka Tamagotchis were rebranded to Tamagotchi Stations in the color generation. There was usually only one model of Tamagotchi Station with complete functionality for each color Tamagotchi release rather than multiple variations with a single function as seen for Tamagotchi Plus deka tamas. All Tamagotchi Stations allowed users to download exclusive items, accessories, foods, minigames, and locations to their devices. The available downloads differed depending on the region the Station was located in and the current season.
Link TMGC Station[]
The Link TMGC Station was a Deka Tamagotchi released for the Tamagotchi iD L. Asides from giving exclusive downloads it also had these features:
- Tamagotchi Grand Prix: Users could enter their current Tamagotchi in a fashion contest and could compete against other users who entered their Tamagotchi.
- Tamagotchi Auction: Items could be put up for auction.
- Recycle Shop: Users could put up their items and accessories for sale for other users to buy at a discount.
Tamagotchi P's Station[]
The Tamagotchi P's Station was a Deka Tamagotchi released for the Tamagotchi P's. It allowed users to take care of a giant Tama Pet by feeding, playing, and dressing them up. The available pet to take care of changed depending on the season. There was also an Egg Market option where users could buy and sell other user's items.
Tamagotchi m!x Station[]
The Tamagotchi m!x Station was a Deka Tamagotchi released for the Tamagotchi m!x. There were various seasonal minigames to play, a flea market to buy and sell other users' items, and an option to let Uranaitchi predict what two Tamagotchi's offspring will look like. There were also contests that the user could enter their Tamagotchi in and vote for other entries. If the user has an adult Tamagotchi, they can choose an exclusive Tamagotchi character to marry.
Tamagotchi Meets Station[]
The Tamagotchi Meets Station was a Deka Tamagotchi released for the Tamagotchi Meets. It had the same features as the m!x Station, only differing in the available downloads and Tamagotchi characters to marry. The Meets Station model also was the same model as the m!x station, simply being updated with a different faceplate and to carry connectivity for Tamagotchi Meets devices.
Home Deka Tamagotchi Releases[]
A Home Deka Tamagotchi is a Deka Tamagotchi available and intended for consumer purchase. These are smaller versions of the store Deka Tamagotchis that run on battery rather than being plugged directly into an outlet. Like the store dekas, they have the ability to send unique items and gotchi points to the Tamagotchi toys they complement. They also featured unique gameplay on their own which differed between models.
Home Deka Tamagotchi[]
- Main article: Home Deka Tamagotchi
The Home Deka Tamagotchi (おうちのでかたまごっち O-uchi no Deka Tamagotchi) was released July 2005 in Japan. It made to complement the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus though it can connect to other Tamagotchi devices in the Plus franchise as well. The player is represented by an unnamed Tamagotchi character who initially lives in a small house in Tamagotchi Town. The goal of the Home Deka Tamagotchi was to upgrade and decorate the character's house by playing games to earn gotchi points. The player could also raise a pet once the house was upgraded enough.
Gotchi points could also be sent to a Tamagotchi device or be used to buy items to send to one.
Home Deka Tamagotchi Game King Playoff[]
- Main article: Home Deka Tamagotchi Game King Playoff
The Home Deka Tamagotchi Game King Playoff (おうちのでかたまごっち ゲーム王けってーせん O-uchi no Deka Tamagotchi Game Ō Kettēsen) is the second official home Deka Tamagotchi released October 2006 in Japan. It was made to complement the Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus though it could also connect to other Tamagotchi devices in the Plus franchise. The player is represented by the previous unnamed character once again and the goal this time is to play and master a variety of games in order to win a tournament. The Game Deka featured 10 games to play, some of which appeared on in store Deka Tamagotchis and the Tamagotchi Connection Version 3.
Tamafure[]
- Main article: TamaFure
The TamaFure, fully known as the Tamagotchi School FureFure! Club Activities! (たまごっちスクールでフレフレおーえん！部活動！), was a Deka Tamagotchi made to complement the Tamagotchi School. The player is represented by Grippatchi and it's their job to maintain the students' club activities by playing games, enrolling students in clubs, interacting with characters by waving, and collecting leaves. The goal of the device is to raise all the clubs' rankings to the highest possible by winning tournaments. The TamaFure featured a motion sensor which was used to play games and interact with characters on screen.
Connectivity with the Tamagotchi School allowed the Tamafure to send and receive students.
More iD! Tamagotchi Home Station Plus[]
- Main article: More iD! Tamagotchi Home Station Plus
More iD! Tamagotchi Home Station Plus (もっとiD！おうちdeたまごっちステーションプラス Motto iD! Ouchi de Tamagotchi Sutēshon Purasu), also known as the Tamagotchi iD Station, was a Deka Tamagotchi made to complement the Tamagotchi iD. It could also connect to the Tamagotchi iD L, though certain downloads could not be transferred to the device. The player had access to a large house that featured all the raisable characters from the iD. The goal of the iD Station was to collect ingredients by playing games in order to create items, foods, accessories, and photo backgrounds and outfits to send to the iD or iD L.
International Deka Tamagotchis[]
Tamagotchi Connection Deka[]
A Deka Tamagotchi for the Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 was considered for release in the United States, but was never produced due to complicated licensing issues with restaurants and stores. A report from the ASM'S Toy Fair 2005 describes a Deka seen in the Bandai America showroom of the event:
In the Bandai America showroom, there was a large Tamagotchi on display, at least a foot in height. This DEKA TAMAGOTCHI ("DEKA" meaning "huge") can connect with regular Tamagotchi using its IR port, and share special items or play special games. In Japan, the DEKA TAMAGOTCHI showed up at special retailers and fast food restaurants, allowing visitors to add a unique character exclusive to the DEKA TAMAGOTCHI to their Tamagotchi Friends List.
Unfortunately, the complicated licensing issues make it difficult to bring the DEKA TAMAGOTCHI to American fast food restaurants... but Bandai hopes to bring DEKA TAMAGOTCHI to special retail locations so that people can bring their TCv2 to connect and communicate.[1]
Tamagotchi Friends Deka[]
Polish DekaTama advertisement
A DekaTama for the worldwide release Tamagotchi Friends was available at selected stores in Poland and Spain. It uses near-field communication rather than infra-red that the other Deka Tamagotchis used and lacks a screen, only having a NFC touch point instead. The Deka Tama allowed users to choose and send up to five exclusive accessories to their Tamagotchi Friends device.
Gallery[]
