Tamagotchi: 30 years old, and still beeping for attention

SINGAPORE – It began with a tiny pixelated egg in Japan in 1996. The Tamagotchi quickly became a global obsession for children, who learnt to care for their digital pet. The Straits Times looks back at the pocket-size phenomenon.

What is a Tamagotchi?

A Tamagotchi is a digital pet which lives in a small electronic device that fits in the palm of your hand. This pet hatches from an egg, and eats, sleeps and excretes like a living thing. Its human owner must feed, nurture and clean up after it. If not, it will die.

Tamagotchi was invented by Japanese toy executive Akihiro Yokoi, who initially worked at toymaker Bandai before starting his own company.

He was inspired by a television commercial about a young boy who was unable to take his pet turtle on a trip.

Yokoi developed the Tamagotchi as a portable pet which would require less effort than a real one.

What’s in a name?

Kuchipatchi is a laid-back Tamagotchi who loves food and relaxing in hot springs. “Kuchi” means mouth, referring to his beak, which resembles large lips.

Mametchi is the face of the franchise. It is a driven Tamagotchi who excels in studies and sports, usually obtained through perfect care.

Meanwhile, Memetchi is a stylish Tamagotchi who loves all things swirly, cheerful and feminine. However, she is self-conscious about her looks.

By the numbers

As at July 2025, more than 100,000 Tamagotchi units have been shipped worldwide. 

From 2019, sales of Tamagotchi merchandise – excluding video games – saw a sevenfold increase.

The biggest known collection of Tamagotchi in Singapore belongs to Ms Rachel Liew, 36, who owns more than 200 Tamagotchi devices. Her most unique pet is the Suntec Tamagotchi, a rare, limited-edition release produced for a 2010 magazine giveaway.

Psychology

Ms Lim Jia Li, a clinical psychologist at local psychology practice Annabelle Psychology, explains why digital pets exert a pull on users. 

Digital pets like the Tamagotchi tap into the deeply human instinct to nurture, connect and care, she says. “The simple act of caring for something – however small or virtual – can bring about a genuine sense of responsibility and connection, which can feel remarkably grounding during times of stress or uncertainty.”

Nostalgia keeps digital pets like Tamagotchi appealing. Why is it so powerful?

“When the present feels demanding or uncertain, the familiar can offer something quietly powerful: a sense of comfort, continuity and belonging,” adds Ms Lim.