Tamagotchi original virtual reality pet

Tamagotchi is an iconic electronic virtual pet toy created in Japan. It was first launched in 1996 and quickly became one of the biggest toy fads of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The toy consists of a small egg-shaped handheld video game with a black-and-white (or color in newer versions) LCD screen and three buttons.

While the brand has its creative and corporate roots in Japan, the physical manufacturing of the modern 'Original' series and other iterations is primarily handled in China due to large-scale production requirements. The owner, Bandai Namco, manages the global distribution through its various international subsidiaries, ensuring the product remains a staple in the toy industry worldwide.