Remember those tiny, egg-shaped digital pets you had in the ‘90s? Well, dust off your nostalgia because Tamagotchis are back, thanks to Gen Z! That’s right; the same generation famous for TikTok dance challenges has decided to revive the beloved virtual pet. Millennials, it might be a good time to start digging through those old toy boxes in your parents’ attic.
These digital darlings, originally launched back in 1996, are making a strong comeback and are now being hailed as the ultimate must-have toy. While we’re not quite sure why caring for a digital creature that beeps for attention at 3 AM has returned to vogue, one thing is certain—history does, indeed, repeat itself. Could it be that Gen Z craves a slice of simple, albeit demanding, ‘90s charm?
Per the NY Post,
…worldwide sales doubled from 2022 to 2023, with demand so high that the company even opened its first brick-and-mortar store in the UK this year, per BBC.
The Tamagotchi has also been revamped since the 90s. It’s WiFi enabled so you can connect with friends and download different items.
A quick Google search shows that you can buy the OG one for $20 on places like Amazon and Walmart. You can also buy the original and updated ones on Bandai Namco’s website.
It’s heartwarming to see two generations bonding over battery-operated buddies. As Millennials raise a collective eyebrow—and perhaps a glass of craft beer—Gen Z is pouring their hearts into keeping these pixelated pets alive. It’s practically a digital pet renaissance! So why not join the craze? Grab your own Tamagotchi and relive the ’90s, beep by beep.
Ultimately, this resurrection is a brilliant reminder of how some things, no matter how pixelated, never truly go out of style. And let’s face it, we all could use a little more ’90s bliss.
