Tamagotchi Nano (たまごっちナノ) is a series of miniature virtual pets that were first introduced in 2010 and were reintroduced in 2017 as a medium for crossover-themed virtual pets. While the name "Tamagotchi Nano" is only used for the first two virtual pets in the series, all releases are referred to internally as "Tamagotchi Nano" models.
List of Tamagotchi Nano releases
- Tamagotchi Nano: The original model was released in Japan in October 2010, with two additional waves of shell designs later.
- A second version was released in Japan in June 2011, featuring two new baby characters, three new adult characters, and an alternate background print.
- Pocket Usatama: Released in April 2017 in Japan, this model was exclusive to Tokyo Disney and was the first licensed model. The user is tasked with caring for the Tokyo Disney Easter mascot character Usatama while keeping it from running away.
- A second version was released in Japan in April 2019, featuring the larger resolution used on later models and featuring new games, new characters, and special daily animations.
- Gudetama Tamagotchi: Released in Japan in December 2017, the USA in December 2018, and in Europe in early 2019. It features raising the Sanrio character Gudetama, caring for it until it's cooked into an egg dish.
- Eevee x Tamagotchi: Released in Japan in January 2019, this model features the Pokemon character Eevee.
- Pocket Usapiyo: Released in April 2019 in Japan, this model was exclusive to Tokyo Disney Sea. The user is tasked with caring for the Tokyo Disney Sea Easter mascot Usapiyo while keeping it from running away.
- Pac-Man Tamagotchi: Released in the USA and Europe in March 2020, this model features the Bandai Namco character Pac-Man. The user cares for Tamagotchi characters, while Pac-Man plays games with the Tamagotchi and chases away ghosts and bugs.
- Evatchi: Released in Japan and Korea in June 2020 and set to be released in the USA in June 2021, this model is based on the anime franchise Neon Genesis Evangelion. The user is tasked with raising an Angel to maturity.
- Demon Slayer Tamagotchi: Released in Japan and Korea in October 2020 and in the USA in January 2021, this model is based on the anime franchise Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The user is tasked with training a young Demon Slayer while fending off demons.
- A second version, the Hashira Gathering Version, is set to be released in March 2021 in Japan, April 2021 in Korea, and August 2021 in the USA. It features new animations, a new demon, new games, and two new secret characters.
- Hello Kitty Tamagotchi: Released in the USA and Europe in December 2020, this model features the Sanrio character Hello Kitty. The user cares for Tamagotchi characters, while Hello Kitty plays games with the Tamagotchi and cleans up messes left behind by Joey.
- Jordy Tamagotchi: Released in Korea in December 2020, this model features the NINIZ character Jordy. The user cares for Jordy while training him to find a part-time job, before he leaves and takes on a full-time career.
- Extellatchi: Released in February 2021 in Japan, this model is based on the vide game franchise Fate and is exclusive to the Fate/EXTELLA Celebration BOX. The user is tasked with training a Servant.
- Twistetchi: Set to be released in June 2021 in Japan, this model is based on the Disney mobile game Twisted-Wonderland. The user is tasked with studying magic while caring for a cat, gradually meeting and befriending other characters.
Design
The Tamagotchi Nano is a miniature virtual pet that measures at about 4 centimeters tall, or about 1.57 inches. It has a rounder, more egg-like shape, making it thicker than a normal Tamagotchi and slightly bigger than the Tamagotchi Mini. The front of the shell has a droplet-shaped frame around the screen with three buttons below, and the screen itself is deeply recessed into the body of the shell.
The battery panel has a rectangle with "cracked" patterns on the left and right side. At the bottom of the battery panel is either a pressure-sensitive tab or a screw, depending on the model. Like the classic Tamagotchi, Nanos takes two LR44 batteries. The speaker is at the top of the back, and the two screws needed to open the unit are covered by plastic tabs, which must be broken off to access them. The "Reset" button is on the top right, below the right screw and above the battery panel.
In addition to the standard mold, the first wave of original Tamagotchi Nano models featured two additional molds: one was a translucent outer frame, and one was a crystal-like outer frame. Neither mold has been used since. The Pac-Man Tamagotchi and the Hello Kitty Tamagotchi both use a unique mold different from Japanese models. The droplet frame and shell front are a single mold, making the gap between them thinner and allowing graphics to be printed over it. The two screws on the back are uncovered.
The classic Nano models and the Pocket Usatama 2017 feature a 24x24 pixel screen. From the Gudetama Tamagotchi onward, all Nano models have smaller pixels but a wider screen of 30x24 pixels.
The initial two versions of the Tamagotchi Nano are distinguished by the background print; the first version's background has a floral pattern at the upper right and bottom left corners of the screen, and the second version's has a wave pattern across the top and bottom halves of the screen. There are three shells exclusive to the Tamagotchi Department Store which have the store's logo as the background. None of the licensed versions released afterward have had background prints.
There are three different types of ball chain. The standard ball chain is identical to the one first introduced with the TamagoChu, with round and oblong beads. A second type of ball chain, with round, small beads, is used on the Pac-Man Tamagotchi and Hello Kitty Tamagotchi. A third type, featuring round, larger beads, is used for the Evatchi, the Jordy Tamagotchi, the Extellatchi, and the Twistetchi.
Most models were made in China, while several later models were made in Vietnam.
Cases and Accessories
A common accessory for Tamagotchi Nano models are cases. All of Nano cases feature a droplet-shaped hole to insert the Nano inside, which leaves the frame, screen, and buttons of the virtual pet exposed while the rest of the shell is protected. This allows the Nano to be used without having to remove it from the case. Cases will always have a hole on top to insert the ball chain, and most cases have a round hole for the Nano's speaker. Some cases, including the sitting Gudetama case and the Pac-Man case, have a flattened bottom, allowing it to stand upright on a flat surface.
Additionally, several Nanos came with special accessories. The Pocket Usapiyo's cases were each bundled with lanyards. Preorders of the Evatchi at the official Evangelion store in Japan came bundled with charms featuring the sprites of Sachiel, Zeruel, and Gaghiel. The Twistetchi comes bundled with charms matching the dormitory the shell is based on.
Common Functions
Growth
The baby of the pet is born after the clock is set. On the original Tamagotchi Nano models, the Pac-Man Tamagotchi, and the Hello Kitty Tamagotchi, an egg appears and hatches after one minute. On all other licensed models, an introductory animation plays instead.
Once the pet is born, its growth is determined by the quality of the user's care, their game performance, and other influences depending on the model. On most models, it takes 24 hours before it evolves into its next form. On some models, there may be secret forms it can evolve into once certain conditions are met.
Buttons
Tamagotchi Nano models have no on-screen icons, and therefore all information is conveyed through the screen and buttons. The pet is cared for by filling its meters; they have Hungry and Happy meters, each consisting of four units, which are both empty when they're born. On all models, the Hungry meter decreases by one unit per hour, and the Happy meter decreases by one every 50 minutes. If either becomes empty, the pet will call for attention to fill them.
The user can press the C button for an animation to see what it needs. A dizzy spiral signifies an empty Hungry meter, while a sulking lines signify an empty Happy meter. Once the meters are not empty, the animation will change, typically to a Close Up. On some models, there are different animations depending on whether the Happy meter is partially or completely full.
Pressing the A button opens the main menu, with the first option for the food menu, and the second option for the games. The meal option fills one Hungry unit, and the pet will refuse to eat anymore once the meter is full. The snack fills one Happy unit, and can be fed even when the Happy meter is full. The A button is also used to open the lights on and off menu when the pet has fallen asleep. Babies sleep at 8 PM, while adults sleep at 10 PM. All pets wake at 7 AM, and will turn the lights on themselves when they wake up.
Pressing A and C together will open the menu or turn on or off the sound. Pressing the B button will open the clock screen, and pressing A and C together will allow the user to set the time. These two functions are always available regardless of the character's circumstances, except when it has died or departed.
Games
The initial Nano models, the Pocket Usatama 2017, and the Gudetama Tamagotchi all feature one game each. From the Eevee x Tamagotchi onward, all models have at least two games, with the exception of the Extellatchi. Games increase the pet's Happy level; winning the game fills Happy by one unit, while a perfect game fills Happy by two. On most models, which games are played in the pet's life may determine its evolutions.
Several minigame templates have been reused between models:
- Dance: An animation plays, and then the user is prompted to press either the A or B button, once or twice. The game goes for five rounds. The user must successfully respond at least once to win the game, and five times for a perfect game.
- This game template was introduced with the Eevee x Tamagotchi, and appears on the Pocket Usatama 2019, Pocket Usapiyo, both versions of the Demon Slayer Tamagotchi, the Jordy Tamagotchi, the Extellatchi, and the Twistetchi.
- Slots: Three spinning slots appear with three possible images. Pressing A or B stops the slots one at a time (left first, then middle, then right). The game last five rounds, and after the third round, the slots will spin faster. The user must successfully match the images five times for a perfect game.
- This game template appears on the Pocket Usatama 2019, Pocket Usapiyo, and the Jordy Tamagotchi.
- Dash: The user must rapidly press the A button for 15 seconds. If the user presses the A button 9 times or less, the game is lost. Pressing the button 10-14 times is considered a win, and 15 times or more is considered a perfect game.
- This game template was introduced on the Pocket Usapiyo, and appears on both versions of the Demon Slayer Tamagotchi and the Jordy Tamagotchi.
- Targeting: The user must press A or B at the right time, when an image lines up in the correct way. The game has five total animation frames; the frame to press the button will be the third, fourth, or fifth frame of the animation. The user must respond successfully at least once to win, and five times for a perfect game.
- This game template was introduced on the Evatchi, and appears on both versions of the Demon Slayer Tamagotchi and the Jordy Tamagotchi.
Obstacles
Obstacles are events that happen that prevent the user for caring for the pet. These may include the pet making a Poo, a dirty room, attempting to run away, being attacked, among many other possibilities. The user will not be able to feed or play with the pet until the obstacle is cleared by pressing the A button.
Negative Conditions
Severely neglecting the pet, or allowing an obstacle to stay around for too long (for example, failing to clean poo for a long time), will cause an ailment to happen to the pet. This typically includes Sickness or sulking. The A button must be pressed twice to alleviate this condition. Like with obstacles, the user cannot feed or play with the pet until the condition is cared for.
Daily Animations
On early models, the pet would perform a Close-Up animation each day at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 6 PM.
On later models, special animations play at specified hours throughout the day, each inspired by the franchise the model is based on. These animations will stay on screen for three minutes before disappearing on their own. Pressing any button will end the animation, but in some cases may trigger an additional animation to play.
Ending Sequences
After a prolonged time, the pet will leave its owner. Each model has its own unique departure sequences, including Death, but many have more than one sequence. Typically, there is a "good" ending sequence, and a "bad" one. Regardless of which ending occurred, pressing the A and C buttons together will trigger the life cycle to start again from the beginning.