The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (2024)

For decades now, Tamagotchi has been the premiere portable electronic toy. Everyone and their grandma is, at the very least, familiar with these tiny egg-shaped trinkets and their insatiable need for feeding time. But their legacy didn’t stop at the base model. There are dozens of variations, upgraded versions, and new generations of Tamagotchi toys. It can be overwhelming seeing them all. So to make it easier, here are only the best models of all time.

RELATED: Virtual Pet Games That Should Make A Comeback

Before we begin, there’s one clarification to make. Many of these models are no longer in modern production. As such, this makes availability and pricing harder to predict and account for. To keep things fair, this list will not take cost or acquisition difficulty into account when ranking.

10 Tamagotchi Pix

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (1)

Released as recently as 2021, Pix is, for lack of kinder words, the less appealing version of many Tamagotchi models produced in the modern era. The main draw is the inclusion of camera functionality, allowing you to snap photos of the game screen and the real world.

And while the Pix offers a nice variety of features - including cooking, exploration, and multiple mini-game options - it still ranks lowest on this list. This is primarily because the new features are gimmicky and take away from existing features to happen. You can take pictures, but there’s no longer IR communication, for example. It removed what we liked in favor of something we don't use.

9 Tamagotchi 4U

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (2)

People loved Pokemon Go, so they should love the Tamagotchi 4U, too. Right? The 4U released in Japan in 2014. It included Near Field Communications (NFC), allowing you to tap the device against “touch spots” to unlock additional features. The main draw was real-world locations around Japan that you could visit and touch to unlock characters and rooms, but they also released a mobile app that utilizes your phone’s NFC abilities.

It’s a tremendously fun concept. Unfortunately, it’s far weaker in application. If you don’t live near the touch spots, or these spots degrade or break down over time, it renders the model a bit pointless. It's a fun idea that lacks longevity.

8 Tamagotchi Garden And Ocean

For a brand known for being a nuisance, they really outdid themselves with these two games. Part of the vintage era, both of these released in Japan in 1998. Each model featured a bug or fish motif and Tamagotchi characters following said themes. They’re a step beyond the original game, offering mild new features like egg options and water quality. What sets it apart from the others is the ‘scream at your toy’ mechanic.

RELATED: Games That Use Voice Recognition

Both toys introduce predators: dangerous creatures that will eat or kill your precious pet. How do you save them? By scaring the predator away using a loud noise, of course. The device has a sound sensor, and smacking the toy or yelling at it is the legitimate and intended solution. It's a great option for someone wanting a less peaceful version of the classic model.

7 Tamagotchi Connection

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (4)

If there was a golden age of growth for this franchise, it was with the Connection line. Produced between 2004 and 2008, it spanned over five different versions. It plays very similarly to the original model, in which you feed and clean an evolving character.

The main draw was the new infrared connection system, which allowed you to connect your model to another person’s wirelessly to befriend each other’s Tamagotchi characters. Eventually, these characters can bond, get married, and have offspring unique to that parent combo. It’s a tremendously fun way to expand on the existing evolution mechanic the games are known for while introducing a fun way to make it a social experience.

Connection wasn’t the first to introduce the multi-player connection and marriage component. It actually began with Tamagotchi Osutchi and Mesutchi back in 1997. Connection was, however, the first wireless version.

6 Original Tamagotchi

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (5)

You can’t beat the OG. This toy started it all, paving the way for toy and cultural influence for years to come. While not the most feature intense, there’s beauty in the simplicity of its design. It’s easy to understand, satisfying to progress through, and tremendously long-lasting. This one sets the metric to which all other models are judged.

To be clear: this entry refers to both the original first model released in 1996 and the 2018+ reproduction. The reproduction has different batteries, slightly different characters, and different processing chips, but the two still operate essentially the same.

5 Tamagotchi R2D2, Demon Slayer, And All Those Other Crossover Models

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (6)

What if you took the original Tamagotchi (the 2018 reproduction) and made it a pop culture reference? That’s the mindset behind this model line. Want to raise a Star Wars robot? You can! Pokemon, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Toy Story, Jurassic Park, Hatsune Miku, and even the k-pop group BTS all have their own Tamagotchi variations.

RELATED: K-Pop Idols Who Are Gamers

It can be hard to gauge this model line since each one has small variations that affect the overall experience. But all in all, they are slightly expanded versions of the original with the extra fun of being a character or franchise you have a personal attachment to. They generally include some unique games and on-the-clock special animations. The simplicity and familiar brands make these some of the most popular models.

4 Tamagotchi M!X (Mix)

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (7)

Released exclusively in Japan in 2016, the mix was, more or less, if the Connection models got a complete upgrade and makeover. It introduced a full-color screen and additional mini-games. It also abandoned the previously mentioned NFC system in favor of IR communication.

As the name implies, it allows you to connect to other Tamagotchi, get married, and produce a child, much like Connection. But that’s not what makes the Mix special. Instead of becoming a specific child, the offspring will be a visual mixture of each parent. Dad’s eyes, Mom’s hair, etc. This allows for what seems like endless potential variety in future characters.

3 Tamagotchi Smart

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (8)

The Tamagotchi Smart is a surprisingly wonderful combination of classic Tamagotchi design and modern technological quality. It may sound contradictory, but it can be compared to the Tamagotchi Pix (which released the same year). Its higher ranking is justified by some key changes that make it more worthwhile.

It retains the same full color, smooth motion animation, picture functionality, and other mainline features. However, the Smart is promoted as a wristwatch accessory, allowing for easy, albeit dorky, transport. It was the first to introduce touchscreen functionality and is the only model with a rechargeable battery system. It also introduces what is essentially external physical DLC, allowing users to unlock and ‘install’ additional content through Tama SmaCards. It's a feature-rich model that stays on brand.

2 Mothra Tamagotchi

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (9)

We’re going way way back in the timeline for this next entry. The Mothra Tamagotchi was released back in late 1997 to coincide with the release of Rebirth of Mothra 2, the second in a trilogy reboot relating to the titular kaiju. It operated essentially the same way as the original Tamagotchi, but with the characters all being variations of Mothra. Though with some effort, you can also discover other Toho monsters, like Godzilla.

This model sits near the top of the list for a reason: it would pave the way for the Tamagotchi brand for decades to follow. It used a different processor chip that would be a stable design decision for numerous future models, essentially doubling the device's running speed. It also established the potential for more collaboration models, which, as mentioned earlier, is one of the most popular variations of Tamagotchi. Mothra Tamagotchi walked so that Demon Slayer Tamagotchi could run.

1 Tamagotchi On

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (10)

The Tamagotchi On is like the Mix, except better. It features many of the same mechanics, like cross-bred characteristics in the Tamas, travel, games, pets, and so on. It then expands on that a little further by adding more characters, implementing the chance for twins, and allowing your pets to ‘mix’ too.

It was also notably more accessible, releasing internationally instead of being a Japan exclusive. This makes it the first North American model to be in full color. It retains the classic style and intention of the Tamagotchi series throughout the years and delivers it with the perks of modern technology. If you want a reliably good time but don't care for the Smart, this is the best choice.

NEXT: The Best Video Games With Hygiene Mechanics

The 10 Best Tamagotchi Models (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 5333

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.