According to Digital Spy, Bandai has announced its intentions to bring Tamagotchi, the brand of virtual pet that drove kids and parents alike crazy throughout the '90s and has remained popular – though with slightly less fanfare – ever since, to smartphones.
Digital Spy says the app is coming to iOS and Android devices “soon”, but the official website seems to only mention Android. Otherwise, the information seems to match up. The app will be in colour but feature some of the original greyscale characters, so you'll get that nostalgic feeling. Aside from that, you'll be able to play minigames, collect wallpapers, and share your pets on Facebook.
The app is called Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., which is the name of the new lifestyle “movement” Bandai is pushing on fans. It stands for “Love is Fun Everywhere”. Apparently, it's all about “style, music, fashion and beauty”, which I guess means Tamagotchi is now a “girly” thing, though I don't remember any gender bias among which of my friends begged their parents to buy them one for Christmas. The whole thing is totally cringeworthy; if you don't believe me, try watching this “webisode” created for Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., which seems to have very little to do with the pets themselves and more to do with trying on cute hats (though Louise Green's story is far more interesting and far less difficult to sit through than the bits with the presenter):
Do you remember when Tamagotchi first started to get big? How do you feel about the new direction in which your childhood pet is being taken?
