Tamagotchi Plus (たまごっちプラス) is the second major Japanese Tamagotchi franchise, following the original era. It launched in 2004 and the final model was released in 2008. Its international equivalent is the Tamagotchi Connection franchise, and several models are identical between regions.
List of Tamagotchi Plus releases[]
- Kaettekita! Tamagotchi Plus: The first major virtual pet in the franchise released in 2004, the Plus reintroduced the Tamagotchi brand, as well as adding core features that would carry over to future models, such as connectivity, items, and marriage. Internationally, this model was released as the Tamagotchi Connection, later rebranded the Version 1.
- Iwai Kētai Kaitsū! Tamagotchi Plus: Released in November 2004, the Keitai introduced Gotchi Points and featured the ability to connect to a mobile game.
- An alternate summer-themed version, Iwai Kētai Kaitsū! Tamagotchi Plus Akai Series, was released in July 2005. It features new characters, games, and items, and features a red LCD.
- Chou Jinsei Enjoi! Tamagotchi Plus: Released in November 2005 and also known as the Entama, this model introduced family grouping for the characters, and codified many characters to be male or female. It features a wider variety of items, an education and job system focused around Skill Points, a cooking feature, and the ability to connect to an online site called E-Tamago.
- An alternate version, Ura Jinsei Enjoi! Tamagotchi Plus, also known as the Uratama, was released in July 2006. It features new characters, items, and games, and features a blue LCD.
- A rerelease of the Entama, known as the Chou Jinsei Enjoi Tamagotchi Plus CYOI Change, colloquially the CYOI Entama, was released in December 2006. It is identical in functionality to the standard Entama, except it has three new games.
- Family Iro Iro! Tamagotchi Plus: Colloquially known as the Famitama and released in 2007, it introduces a wider screen, the ability to raise up three characters together, and the ability to form special families through marriage. Internationally, this model was released as the Tamagotchi Connection Version 5.
- A second version, known as the Dream Royal Family Tamagotchi Plus, was released in March 2008. It introduces new games, characters, and items. Internationally this model was released as the Tamagotchi Connection Version 5 Celebrity, also known as the Version 5.5.
- Tamagotchi Connection (2024 Pet): The 20th anniversary re-release of the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus and Tamagotchi Connection Version 3, Released globally in both English and Japanese, the first Tamagotchi Plus device released under the Tamagotchi Connection (franchise) moniker. Shell designs in Japan are reprints of the Keitai Kaitsuu Tamagotchi Plus with clear, glittery and pearlescent updates.
Tie-in devices[]
- Chibi Tamagotchi: Released in late 2005, the Chibi is a simplified virtual pet featuring characters from the original Tamagotchi. The Chibi was later rereleased in 2017 to celebrate Tamagotchi's 20th anniversary.
- Internationally, the Chibi was released as the Tamagotchi Mini.
- Chou Yarikuri Enjoi! Tamagotchi Kakeibo: Released in April 2006, the Kakeibo is a large touch-screen device that comes with a notebook. The Kakeibo is primarily targeted as a money and budget management device, and the user can transfer Gotchi Points to the Entama and Uratama.
- Tamagotchi Lets TV! Play Tamagotchi Resort: Released in September 2006, the Tamagotchi Resort is a plug-and-play game for televisions. Using a trackball, it can play a variety of games and transfer Gotchi Points and items to the Entama and Uratama.
- Tamagotchi School: Released in November 2006, the TamaSchool puts the user in the position of a teacher, adding students to their class and playing games to improve the skills and status of the school.
- A second version, featuring six new games and changing several characters, was released in February 2007.
- Tamagotchi Music Fever Released in December 2006, the Music Fever is a music player with a large screen that allows the user to play a variety of games while listening to music.
- TamagoChu: Released in January 2007, the TamagoChu is a pair of miniature pets, with one male unit and one female unit and marketed towards young couples. Using infrared ports on their side, the two units can form a relationship.
- Power UP! Tamagotchi School Championship Let's! TV Play Card: Released in March 2007, The TamaSchool Championship is a plug-and-play game for televisions. Compatible with the Tamagotchi! Data Carddass trading cards and featuring an infrared port, it can play a variety of games and transfer Gotchi Points and items to the Entama, Uratama, and TamaSchool.
- Tamagotchi Restaurant: Released in July 2007, this restaurant-shaped device has the user maintaining and expanding a restaurant business while cooking food using the device's figurines and specialized buttons.
- Tamagotchi no Fureai Furendo Chamametchi: Released in July 2008, this device is a plastic purse-shaped toy connected to a plush toy. The user is tasked with caring for Chamametchi by playing games and collecting items, and she can say up to 200 different phrases.
Home Deka devices[]
- Home Deka Tamagotchi: Released in July 2005, the first Home Deka unit had the user play games to earn Gotchi Points and upgrade their living space. Gotchi Points and many of the food and items earned can be transferred to the Keitai series pets.
- Home Deka Tamagotchi Game King Playoff: Released in October 2006, the second Home Deka unit featured the user visiting various locations in Tamagotchi Town, playing games to win prizes and Gotchi Points, which can be transferred to the Entama and Uratama devices.
- Tamagotchi School FureFure! Club Activities!: Also known as the TamaFure and released in April 2007 as a companion for the Tamagotchi School, this device features a number of activities and features a motion sensor.
Licensed models[]
- Hanerutchi: A variant of the Keitai series, the Hanerutchi features characters based on the Japanese comedy variety show Haneru No Tobira.
- Hanerutchi 2: A variant of the Entama series, the Hanerutchi 2 is a "sequel" to the Hanerutchi.
- Oden-Kun Tamagotchi: Based on the animated series Odenkun, this model features raising characters from the series and collecting a variety of different items.
Design[]
The Tamagotchi Plus models have a larger body than the vintage models, measuring at about 5.6cm tall and 4.8cm wide (about 2.2 inches tall by 1.9 inches wide). Its screen is larger but with smaller pixels, with early models featuring a resolution of 32 x 30. It features an infrared port across the top of the shell, and the keychain hole is to the right. Like its predecessors, it utilizes a black-and-white LCD screen over a printed background, though unlike the classic Tamagotchi, the background print varies between shells, and some limited edition shells feature exclusive background prints.
Following the first release, subsequent releases have a similar size and shape, but have an additional design to the left side, such as an antenna. The Keitai series have a cell phone antenna on the left side, the Entama has an antenna with a ball on top, the Uratama has an antenna with a star on top, and both Family models have a large key loop with a plastic key hanging from it.
Common Features[]
Growth and Lifespan[]
On every model, the Tamagotchi will go through several stages of life once it has been born. The Tamagotchi will progress through each stage of life through Evolution, transforming into a different character over time. How well the user cares for the Tamagotchi will determine which character it will evolve into, and how long the pet can or will live in turn. Many models also feature special characters that can only be obtained under certain conditions. New to the Plus models is the senior stage, which only occurs if the user's adult Tamagotchi lives for a prolonged period without marrying. The Family models also exclusively feature the parent stage, where the adult character becomes a more parental form once the next generation begins.
Unlike the vintage models, the Plus models do not feature set life spans for each character. Instead, care is directly tied with the life span through a measurement known as "Care Mistakes". If the user fails to respond to a call for attention for 15 minutes, the icon turns off and a care mistake is recorded. The more often the user makes care mistakes, the more likely the user will raise an unhealthy adult, as well as increase the likelihood of death. Several models have ways of reversing care mistakes, prolonging the Tamagotchi's life and improving their chances of getting a healthy adult.
Clock and Calendar[]
As with the original models, the clock must first be set before the Tamagotchi can hatch. When the clock is active, pressing the A button will switch between 12-hour format and 24-hour format. A new addition to the Plus models is the calendar, which must have the month and day set along with the clock. The user will also be tasked with putting in their birthday.
Throughout the year, depending on what calendar day the Tamagotchi is on, different seasonal animations will play; for example, a Christmas tree will appear in December to celebrate Christmas. Holidays and animations vary between models. In addition, every model will play a special animation on the user's birthday.
Health Meter[]
Every model features a Health meter screen that shows the Tamagotchi's overall stats. This icon is always the first icon. Checking the stats will allow the user to know how hungry or happy the Tamagotchi currently is, as well as its age, weight, gender, generation, and Gotchi Points. Other stats that vary between models, such as Training meter or Skill Points, are also shown here.
Generation[]
Each version measures Generations, which shows how many times the user has raised and married a Tamagotchi. On certain versions, whether the generation is an odd or even number will determine which adults the user can raise. The First generation sometimes functions differently from other generations.
Feed[]
The feeding icon is the second release on every device. There are always at least two food options. The "Meal" option gives food that fills the Hungry meter, and the "Snack" option gives food that fills the Happy meter. Both options increase the Tamagotchi's weight. Staring from the Keitai, additional food options may be purchased; depending on the version, the food unlock is either permanent or consumed upon use and must be bought again.
Bathroom[]
On all models, they will leave poo on the screen throughout their life. The user must select the appropriate icon to clear it away. Leaving poo on the screen for too long may result in illness, while multiple poop on the screen drastically increase the likelihood of illness. In addition, the Tamagotchi will perform an animation just before they poo. If the user selects the bathroom icon in time, the Tamagotchi will use a toilet instead, and gain a Happy heart.
Games[]
Every model features at least two games, and when played well, they will increase the Tamagotchi's Happy meter and decrease weight. On all models prior to the Famitama, the Tamagotchi must be over its base weight in order to play the games, and will refuse to play otherwise.
Gotchi Points[]
Gotchi Points are a currency that appear on every model from the Keitai onward. It is a currency earned from performing well in the games, and they can be exchanged for items and foods. Later models feature additional ways of earning Gotchi Points, including in the mail, through TamaTown, from work paychecks, or as a reward upon evolving.
Items[]
On every version, items are accumulated via a variety of means, and then can be used by selecting them from the inventory. Many items are limited to only adults being permitted to use them. Items are listed under the Notebook icon the Plus and Keitai, but have their own dedicated icon from the Entama onward.
Connection[]
Every Tamagotchi Plus model features an infrared port that can connect to other models. When connected, the two characters can play games and exchange presents. The more frequently two units connect, the stronger their friendship will become. When two adults of opposite genders connect, they can fall in love and eventually marry.
Compatibility[]
While many models can connect to other models, they can only marry another of the same model. The sole exception is the Plus, which is capable of marrying the Versions 1 through 4.5 of the Tamagotchi Connection series. On all models, if the character data on one unit is not present on the other unit, the character will be rendered as Nazotchi as a placeholder.
Deka Tamagotchi[]
Tamagotchi Plus devices were also capable of connecting to Deka Tamagotchi devices, which were large Tamagotchi devices stationed at various storefronts across Japan. A variety of different Deka models were produced for each different Tamagotchi Plus release.
E-Tamago[]
E-Tamago was an interactive website where a user could send their Tamagotchi through a passcode system, play games, and unlock special items for their Tamagotchi. It was introduced on the Entama, and different iterations of TamaTown were part of the core features of every version released afterward. As E-Tamago has been shut down, the only way to access much of the exclusive content is through code manipulation.
Training[]
Many models feature Training, which is used to either scold the pet for misbehavior, or praise the pet for good behavior. Each time Training is successfully implemented, the Training meter in the health meter will increase.
Medicine[]
Every model features Sickness, an ailment that prevents the user from caring for their pet. It is indicated by a black skull floating above the Tamagotchi. Selecting the appropriate icon (or menu option on some versions) will cure the Tamagotchi of the sickness. Feeding a significant amount of Snacks in a short period of time will cause the Tamagotchi to get a cavity, indicated by tooth.
Light[]
On all releases, the Tamagotchi will go to sleep at night, necessitating that the user turn the pet's lights off. When the pet wakes up in the morning, they will turn the lights back on themselves. While the lights are their own independent icon on early versions, later versions have the Tamagotchi turn the lights off themselves, negating the need for the user to intervene.
Notebook[]
The Notebook icon keeps track of every unit the Tamagotchi has connected with, showing their name and current friendship level. On later versions, this icon is also used to donate Gotchi Points to the Gotchi King, see family records, or to see characters that had previously died.
Attention[]
Every releases features an "Attention" icon, which lights up when the Tamagotchi needs something, accompanied by a beep. Typically, the pet will call if either its Hungry or Happy meter empties, if its making a Training call, when it gets sick, or when it goes to sleep at night.
Marriage[]
Once the Tamagotchi has been an adult for 48 hours, it will be able to marry when connecting to other devices. Starting 72 hours after becoming an adult, a Matchmaker will appear every day at 10:30 AM, 3 PM, and 7 PM to offer a potential partner. Once the character marries, it will produce a baby, and the parent and child will stay together for two days. At midnight after the second day, the parent will leave, and the user will begin raising the baby in the morning, starting the next generation.
Death[]
A Tamagotchi will eventually die, due to either neglect or old age. On all versions, it is depicted by a gravestone with an Obaketchi floating to the top left. On the Family pets, it is depicted by a large family shrine with Obaketchi floating beside it. Once the pet has died, pressing the A and C buttons together will make the life cycle start over again. Items and Gotchi Points are carried over to the new egg.
Sound[]
Pressing the A and C buttons simultaneously will bring up a menu to disable or enable the sound. This can only be done on the main screen, and won't work if the Tamagotchi is in the middle of a specific animation.