Over 100 Million Units Shipped Worldwide
Tamagotchi Enters Its Fourth Heyday After the Launch of Tamagotchi Paradise
The Japanese toy "Tamagotchi," beloved by a wide range of generations including Millennials & Gen Z, has surpassed a cumulative global shipment of 100 million units, 29 years after its launch. Tamagotchi is now experiencing its fourth heyday, with its popularity extending from the parent generation to their children.
At the time of release, the 'Tamagotchi Paradise' product sold out online. Screenshot from Bandai Namco Korea Mall.
According to the Asahi Shimbun of Japan on August 28, Bandai Namco, a Japanese toy company, announced that Tamagotchi's cumulative global shipments have exceeded 100 million units.
According to the report, Tamagotchi has been sold in about 50 countries and regions so far, with a total of 37 different types released. First launched in November 1996, Tamagotchi is an egg-shaped handheld game device. The game involves raising a character that hatches from an egg by feeding it and taking care of its toilet needs.
A post seeking a limited edition Tamagotchi for 990,000 KRW on a secondhand trading platform. Screenshot from Junggonara.
From its initial release, Tamagotchi was so popular that it quickly became scarce. Long lines formed at stores nationwide to purchase it, and by the following year, 1997, it had entered overseas markets such as the United States, gaining worldwide popularity. In 2004, a feature allowing Tamagotchis to interact with each other via infrared communication was added, and in 2008, the screen was upgraded to color, reigniting its popularity.
Tamagotchi's dormant popularity was revived this July with the release of the 37th new product, "Tamagotchi Paradise." Thanks to newly added features, it became a sensation among teenagers, especially the ability for Tamagotchis to connect, battle each other, or form families and have children. In addition, a "zoom dial" was added to the existing three buttons, allowing users to observe their character's growth from a cosmic perspective or zoom in to the cellular level, offering a new kind of fun.
Recently, more young people in Korea have been seeking out Tamagotchi. At a Tamagotchi pop-up store held last month at Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, crowds formed long lines to purchase Tamagotchi, and most products sold out online, sometimes being resold at a premium. For limited editions or discontinued models, the price per unit soared to more than ten times the original price.
The media outlet reported, "With the revival of past popularity, Tamagotchi is experiencing its fourth boom this year," adding, "In particular, purchases by the parent generation, who enjoyed Tamagotchi in the past, have contributed to its renewed popularity."
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