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It was the must-have toy of the 1990s, and now, three decades after its initial release, the Tamagotchi is making a comeback. Casetify has unveiled a new range of products in collaboration with Tamagotchi's parent company, Bandai America. The collection includes phone cases, earbud pouches, straps, and charms. Additionally, Casetify is releasing a special Exclusive Tamagotchi Device priced at £43, featuring a custom shell.
'Inspired by the nostalgic digitized aesthetic of Tamagotchi, the collection blends vibrant colors, iconic characters and whimsical sticker-style designs across a range of phone cases, tech accessories and special products,' Casetify explained.
The collection is expected to resonate strongly with nostalgic millennials, who frequently share fond memories of their Tamagotchis on social media. In a recent video for Lad Bible, actress Hilary Duff expressed her love for the digital pets. 'I had about eight of these bad boys all clipped together on a key chain. Honestly, this just reminds me of a simpler time,' she said.
Tamagotchi x Casetify
The original Tamagotchi was released in 1996, with its name derived from the Japanese word for egg, 'tamago', and the English word 'watch'. The toy was marketed as a 'digital pet' and featured 35 characters that owners had to care for. Owners were required to administer medicine when their pets were ill and clean up after them. The happiness and hunger levels of the characters were displayed on meters that needed constant monitoring.
Early versions lacked a pause function, forcing owners to press a button every 30 minutes to feed their pets or risk them starving to death. This led to widespread distraction among schoolchildren, who frantically tried to keep their Tamagotchis alive during lessons. In some schools, teachers banned the toys due to the disruption. However, the toy was praised for fostering empathy and responsibility in children and became a massive success, with over 100 million units sold worldwide.
Now, Casetify has introduced a range of Tamagotchi products that will go on sale on May 29. The highlight is the Casetify Exclusive Tamagotchi device, which features a custom Casetify logo shell. While this revamped version is adorable, it is significantly more expensive than the original toy, which retailed for $17.99 (roughly £13) in 1996.
A Tamagotchi Plush Earbuds Pouch is designed to store earbuds, and Casetify is also releasing a variety of phone cases. Additionally, there are several unique straps and charms, including a three-way adjustable strap, a Silicone Phone Charm with a detachable plush charm, and a metal Tamagotchi-shaped charm hook.
Casetify added: 'Complementing the core product collection are CASETiFY Tamagotchi Chase Cards, a new addition to CASETiFY's offerings that further enhances the collectibility of this exciting collaboration. Customers have the chance to unveil cards across seven rarity categories, ranging from Common up to Supreme Ultra Rare.'
The Tamagotchi range will be available from May 29, with prices ranging from £14 to £95.
What is Tamagotchi?
The original Tamagotchi was released in 1996, with its name combining the Japanese word for egg, 'tamago', and the English word 'watch'. It was a digital pet featuring 35 characters that required feeding, medical care, and cleaning. Owners had to monitor happiness and hunger levels constantly. Early models had no pause option, requiring feeding every 30 minutes to prevent starvation. This caused distractions in classrooms, leading to bans in some schools. Despite this, the toy was praised for teaching empathy and responsibility, selling over 100 million units worldwide.
