From the excitement of the first egg hatching, the first time we cleaned up its poop or the first time it died, Tamagotchi left a lasting impression on a whole generation of kids. I will never forget the first time I saw a Tamagotchi – my friend’s – and suddenly, I wanted one of these demanding little virtual pets for myself.
And today, many kids who grew up with Tamagotchi want to introduce their kids to the wonders of being a Tama parent (and maybe indulge in a bit of nostalgia along the way!)
We have handpicked 25 of the best Tamagotchi you can buy today, from remakes of the original Gen 1s to today’s high-tech models to special edition Tamas for fans of Star Wars, BTS, Toy Story and more.
There is a Tamagotchi out there to suit every child and adult looking to relive their youth! However, there are also a few duds on the market, so we have combed through hundreds of genuine reviews from customers online to make sure the ones listed here are indeed the best.
The Top 3 Tamagotchi Toys
Now that we’ve covered our top 3 picks, let’s get into all the awesome Tamagotchi options we have collected for you.
We’ll start with all the Original Tamagotchi options, which are best if nostalgia is what you’re after. Then we’ll get into some special edition Tamas which are themed around various popular TV shows and characters. Lastly, we’ll explore the latest editions of Tamagotchi, which provide many cool features and much more to do, thanks to modern technology.
Let’s dive in!
The Best Original Tamagotchi
1. Best Overall: Tamagotchi Original Candy Swirl
If you grew up in the ‘90s or early ‘00s, this Tamagotchi will take you right back to your childhood. This is a remake of the original 1990s Tamagotchi with the same features and programming. And although many of the buyers are nostalgia-seeking adults, kids are sure to love it too!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
The original Tamas are a great option if you’re looking for something more affordable. And while it doesn’t have as many features as newer generations, you can still feed and play with your Tama, turn the lights off, give it medicine, discipline it and even flush the toilet!
💡 Tip: Big fan of the 90’s then check out our mega page full of the best 90’s toys. |
What We Love:
❤️ The original Tamagotchi you know and love
❤️ Kids will love taking it everywhere they go
❤️ Cute candy striped design
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It would be great if the screen was backlit
💔 It is quite noisy
💡 If you like bright colors, you may also enjoy this Tamagotchi with its classic comics design. |
2. Tamagotchi Original 90s
This is another great option from the original 1990s Tamagotchi range, this time with a super nostalgic ‘90s shell design. This one also includes a fun character game where you have to guess which way the Tamagotchi will move next. Get this if you want to be hit with a nostalgia bomb!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
With the original versions, you raise your Tamagotchi from egg to child to adult and how you take care of it decides which adult you’ll get. However, if you don’t give it the care it needs, it won’t survive! Luckily, you can easily reset it to try again.
What We Love:
❤️ Original Tamagotchi with classic ‘90s design
❤️ Great way to teach kids responsibility
❤️ Includes a pamphlet that tells you exactly how to take care of it
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The original Tamagotchi are quite hard to keep alive
💔 The screen is a little hard to see
3. Tamagotchi Original Ice Cream
Another Original Tamagotchi offering this one comes with an adorable ice cream shell design. If you’re worried about your kids being unimpressed with this simple virtual pet with its pixelated graphics, know that hundreds of parents have noted that their kids fell in love with their Tamagotchi. You will be surprised at how attentive your kids become and how absorbed they are with their little pet!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
The Original Tamagotchi, while simple, have a battery life that is unrivaled in the newer generations. They last pretty much forever! They also include batteries, so they are excellent value for money.
What We Love:
❤️ A virtual pet that you get to raise and play with
❤️ The battery life is very long
❤️ The ice cream design is adorable
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You have to attend to it every day to keep it alive
💔 It would be great if it included more games
4. Tamagotchi Original Sky
This is one of my favorites of the Original Tamagotchi, with its gorgeously colored and evocative cloudy sky design. It also includes a number game in which you must guess whether the next number will be higher or lower. Tamagotchi are a great way to teach kids responsibility and to bring back memories; this one will certainly do both!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
The remade Original Tamagotchi are impressively sturdy and well-made and are sure to last you a long time. However, that doesn’t mean they are easy to take care of – this little guy needs careful attention, or he will die!
What We Love:
❤️ A great way to get some entertainment throughout the day
❤️ You can pause and mute it if you like
❤️ The shell has beautiful colors
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The Tamagotchi can occasionally die even if you treat it well
💔 The screen is quite dim
💡 For those more into starry night skies than clouds in the daytime, this Galaxy shell Tamagotchi is ideal. |
5. Tamagotchi Original Celebration Neon & Pop
This cute see-through and neon pop Tamagotchi also has two adorable neon yellow charms that make great keychains or zipper charms. This one comes with a character game where you have to guess which way the Tamagotchi will move and all the other Tama features you know and love.
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Although the volume of the Tamagotchi isn’t adjustable, you can mute it when you need some peace and quiet. Remember not to do it too long, or your Tama may feel neglected! Of course, you can simply reset it and try again if it does die.
What We Love:
❤️ This version comes with two cute charms
❤️ This shell allows you to see through to the Tamagotchi’s inner workings
❤️ Includes a fun character game
What We Don’t Love:
💔 When it is young it can die during the night
💔 The volume is not adjustable
6. Tamagotchi Original Flames
Another one of the Original Tamagotchi options is excellent for folks who prefer an edgier aesthetic, with its black and neon flame design. Like all the Tamagotchi described above, you can feed, clean up after, discipline and play with your Tama. You can also use its beeping as a reminder to drink water, which many customers have found helpful!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
The original Tamas are suitable for preparing kids for a real pet, as they need a lot of attention to stay alive! However, if you want lower maintenance, check the options further down the list.
What We Love:
❤️ Excellent quality, durable Tamagotchi toy
❤️ It is easy to reset if it dies
❤️ Cool black and neon flame shell
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It can sometimes die even if you take care of it well
💔 The screen is hard to see in low light
7. Tamagotchi Original Leopard Print
The Original Tamagotchi is a good size as they are small enough to take everywhere you go, yet not too small to use the buttons easily. They feel good to hold and the screen isn’t too small. This one has a fun leopard print shell, and it also comes with a chain for attaching to your bag or even a phone case or water bottle!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Despite all the features of the newer Tamagotchi generations, the older ones cannot be beaten regarding durability and battery life. They are almost impossible to break even if you try!
What We Love:
❤️ Nostalgic for adults and fun for kids
❤️ The chain makes it easy to attach to a bag or phone case
❤️ Fun colorful leopard print design
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The beeping can be annoying
💔 The included game is a little boring
8. Tamagotchi Original Mermaid
This is our last selection from the Original Tamagotchi range. This one has a gorgeous mermaid shell design and bright pink buttons, perfect for all mermaid lovers. Get it for yourself, your kids, or as a family “pet” that everyone has to take turns caring for! That way, each person gets time with the Tama but isn’t overwhelmed with responsibility.
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Although the lack of backlighting in the screen makes it harder to see, it also means it doesn’t produce any blue light. This is a bonus because it won’t keep kids awake at night!
What We Love:
❤️ A simple but very engaging toy
❤️ You can take turns caring for it as a family
❤️ Gorgeous opalescent mermaid shell
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Replacing the batteries resets the pet
💔 The screen is not visible from all angles as it is not backlit
The Best Special Edition Tamagotchi
9. Star Wars Grogu Tamagotchi
Fans of Star Wars and The Mandalorian will love this cute Grogu Tamagotchi with its big-eared Grogu silicone case. With this Tama, you take care of Grogu, who grows into one of 12 different appearances depending on how you care for him. Plus, in a fun addition, special guests come to visit Grogu every hour!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Unlike the older Tamagotchi, this one features three mini-games and several references to The Mandalorian series. This is a Tamagotchi Nano, so it is smaller than the originals. However, it is also much easier to keep alive!
What We Love:
❤️ Adorable Grogu character with lots of evolution stages
❤️ Easier to care for than the Gen 1 Tamagotchi and has more games
❤️ Comes with an adorably big-eared Grogu silicone case
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is very small
💔 The screen is not backlit
💡 If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll want to check out this alternative R2D2 Tamagotchi too. |
10. Tamagotchi Toy Story x Nano Clouds
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that still gives you more ways to play around than the originals, this Toy Story Tamagotchi is an excellent choice. This Tama starts as Woody and evolves into different Toy Story characters, depending on how you play with him. And don’t forget to keep your toys clean, or they will end up at a yard sale!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
This Tamagotchi includes 3 Toy Story-themed games, and there are so many different characters you can watch your Tama evolve into. As a Tamagotchi Nano, it is the perfect size for a keychain.
What We Love:
❤️ Requires less attention than a full sized Tamagotchi
❤️ Includes a few fun games
❤️ The characters evolve into different Toy Story toys
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is quite small
💔 Some of the evolutions are repeats
11. Best Budget: Tamagotchi PAC-Man
Calling all Pac-Man fans, this is the Tamagotchi for you! This adorable yellow Tamagotchi Nano incorporates the classic Pac-Man theme tune and lots of fun animations and sound effects. You will need to feed your Tama rice and cherries, of course. Plus, you will sometimes have to call on Pac-Man to come and protect your Tama from ghosts!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
This Tamagotchi includes two fun Pac-Man mini-games. How you take care of it determines which of the seven adults it will grow into – and if you raise it well, you may get a secret character!
What We Love:
❤️ Includes classic Pac-Man games and tune
❤️ Sometimes you have to call Pac-Man to defend your Tama from ghosts
❤️ Features lots of fun animations and sound effects
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The buttons are a bit finicky
💔 The chain comes off quite easily
12. Tamagotchi TinyTAN HugmyTamagotchi Jungkook with Vinyl Figure
If you or the person you are buying for is part of the BTS Army, you have to buy this adorable Tamagotchi. This TinyTan Tama has you taking care of all the TinyTan BTS characters by feeding them and playing with them. Fans will also love seeing all the different character outfits and the cute animations of the characters interacting and doing their thing!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
This Tamagotchi comes with an adorable vinyl Jungkook figure that hugs your Tamagotchi, though you can display the figure by itself if you want. You can also choose any other member, depending on your favorite.
What We Love:
❤️ Comes with an adorable vinyl figure that hugs the Tamagotchi
❤️ Includes BTS character outfits and lots of cute animations
❤️ Features two games plus occasional visitors
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The buttons are a bit hard to use
💔 The instructions are not very clear
💡 Jungkook not your fave? Not to worry! You can take your pick out of the Jimin, J-Hope, Jin, RM, Suga or V versions. |
13. Best for Older Kids: Tamagotchi Demon Slayer Kisatsutaitchi
This Demon Slayer Kisatsutaichi Tamagotchi does a great job of combining classic Tamagotchi functions with Demon Slayer themes. For example, as you raise your Tama, he gradually evolves into Slayers of higher ranks and the training games you play to determine who he becomes. Plus, you will regularly need to fend off demons and heal your Tama if he becomes injured!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Demon Slayer fans will love this black Tamagotchi shell with themed graphics as well as all the details within the Tama that reference the show. This is also a great option if you want a lower-maintenance Tamagotchi.
What We Love:
❤️ Includes lots of Demon Slayer themes like training and fending off demons
❤️ Evolves into characters of higher ranks
❤️ Great battery life and easy to use
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is on the small side
💔 There is no backlight
💡 Get the same fun Tamagotchi in a cute Zenitsutchi shell here. |
14. Tamagotchi Hello Kitty
This adorable Tamagotchi is the perfect gift for any Hello Kitty fan. This Tama is similar to the originals and affordable, but it has different games and surprise characters! It is also pretty easy to keep alive, making it a great choice if you want it to hit that nostalgia button but don’t want the high maintenance of the older Tamagotchi.
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Customers loved that this Tamagotchi was easy to use and came with clear instructions for how to take care of it. It is also lots of fun getting Hello Kitty’s help to raise your Tama character!
What We Love:
❤️ Easy to use with clear instructions
❤️ The Tama evolves into different characters
❤️ Very cute – perfect for Hello Kitty fans
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is quite small
💔 The screen is a bit hard to see
15. Tamagotchi Jujutsu Kaisen Yuji Itadori with Vinyl Figure
With this awesome Jujutsu Kaisen Tamagotchi, you get to raise your apprentice sorcerer and depending on how you raise them, they will turn into different characters. Fans of the show will love seeing which characters their Tama turns into, as there are so many possible variations. This one also comes with three mini-games for sorcerer training!
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
This version comes with a Juji Itadori figure that hugs your Tamagotchi. Even without the Tama, this figure is an excellent gift for any Jujutsu Kaisen fan! But the Tama is lots of fun to raise and not too needy.
What We Love:
❤️ There are so many different characters your Tama may evolve into
❤️ Easy and fun to care for
❤️ Comes with an adorable vinyl figure that hugs the Tamagotchi
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The keychain is a bit loose
💔 It is quite small
💡 If you’d prefer just the Tamagotchi without the vinyl figure, you can find it by itself here. |
16. Kingdom Hearts x Tamagotchi Nano 20th Anniversary Light Mode
This Kingdom Hearts Tamagotchi comes in a gorgeous white, blue and gold shell and has loads of features that will make fans’ hearts sing. There are a whopping 20 different characters for your Tama to evolve into, including Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy, and more! Plus, depending on how you take care of your characters, you will see various special effects such as costume changes.
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
This Tamagotchi features 3 mini games plus unexpected visitors that may pop by throughout the day. It is a compact Tamagotchi that is easy to carry with you and not too hard to keep alive.
What We Love:
❤️ Over 20 characters to raise it into
❤️ Depending on how you care for the Tama, you’ll see different fun effects
❤️ Includes 3 games and visitors who sometimes appear
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s a small Tamagotchi
💔 The buttons are a bit hard to press
17. Tamagotchi Evatchi Asuka Evangelion (Japanese Version)
For a double dose of ‘90s nostalgia, why not get this awesome Evangelion-themed Tamagotchi? This one comes in a red Asuka shell, but the character you are raising is an Angel. There are lots of different Angels that your Tama may evolve into and so many easter eggs that fans of the show will love. Considering the content packed into this Tama, it offers excellent value for money!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
This Tamagotchi features two games to stimulate your Angel. Plus, you must clean the LCL when it is corrupt, and your Angel will activate its A.T. field if it is unhappy!
What We Love:
❤️ Lots of Angels to evolve into
❤️ Includes lots of cute animations and easter eggs
❤️ Easy to take care of
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is quite small
💔 The buttons are a bit hard to press
18. Bandai Tamagotchi 4U White
This Bandai Tamagotchi 4U is a recent release and provides possibilities that are leaps and bounds ahead of the ‘90s models. In this Tamagotchi, your character lives in a complex and colorful world, and you can teach it various skills. There are endless animations, characters and games to play, and if you get the companion app you can download even more!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
If you like the idea of a Tamagotchi but want something with all the functions that modern tech provides, this could be the one for you. Sure, it’s a splurge, but it offers a world of fun!
What We Love:
❤️ You can train your Tamagotchi to learn a variety of skills
❤️ The screen is in color and includes lots of animations
❤️ You can download loads of extra characters and items via the app
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The 4U app does not work on all devices
💔 The writing is only in Japanese
The Best Tamagotchi Pix
19. Tamagotchi Pix Party
Tamagotchi Pix is another recent Tamagotchi line that takes advantage of modern digital technology. It allows kids to do much more with their virtual pet, from customizing its home to bathing it, letting it go on playdates with other Tamagotchi and so much more. And with the Tamagotchi Pix Party, you can even plan a party with themed cooking and games!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
True to its name, you can also take photos with the Tamagotchi Pix, which interacts with the virtual world in fun ways. For example, take pics with your Tama character or pictures of food for it to eat!
What We Love:
❤️ You can take photos and connect with other Tamas
❤️ The screen has excellent graphics and touch buttons
❤️ You can do so much with your Tama, such as decorate its room and plan a party
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The battery does not last long if you use the camera
💔 The camera doesn’t work well in low light
20. Tamagotchi Pix Nature
This is another great Tamagotchi Pix option, this time with a cool green nature-themed shell. While the old Tamagotchi had one or two games, this one has no less than 17 and a color screen and touch buttons! It also has the option to connect to a friend’s device to go on playdates and take photos.
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Customers also like that the Pix is a little easier to take care of than the ‘90s originals. You can even get kids to leave it with a babysitter when they are busy with school or extracurriculars!
What We Love:
❤️ So many features and activities you can do
❤️ Easy to care for, especially with the sitter function
❤️ Colorful and easy-to-see screen
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Takes some time to figure out how the buttons work
💔 The battery is does not last long but you can replace it with rechargeable ones
21. Tamagotchi Pix Sky
This cute purple Tamagotchi is another option from the Pix line. These Tamas are light years away from the Gen 1s, featuring a wealth of colorful animations and many activities to do with your virtual pet. However, just like with the originals, you still have to feed your Tama and make it happy!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
The way you take care of your Tamagotchi will determine the career it goes on to have when it returns to its home planet. If you neglect it, it won’t die but simply leave you to return to its home planet early!
What We Love:
❤️ Tons of activities to do
❤️ Lots of cute characters and colorful animations
❤️ Includes mini-games that change every day
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The battery life is not great
💔 The touch buttons take a while to figure out
22. Tamagotchi Pix Floral
This cute Tamagotchi Pix is bright pink with a floral design incorporating notes of peach and purple. But if your kiddo does not like the look, another fun aspect of the Tamagotchi Pix is that you can remove the shell face and interchange it with a new one. Kids can even play mix-and-match with their friends!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Like all Tamagotchi Pix, you can take photos with this one, customize your character’s home, cook for them, bathe them and take them on playdates. With Tamagotchi Pix, there are new things and goals to accomplish daily!
What We Love:
❤️ There are lots of fun goals and things to do each day
❤️ The babysitter function allows you to leave it alone for a while
❤️ It has very smooth animations and lots of cute backgrounds
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Poor battery life, but you can replace them with rechargeable batteries
💔 The buttons take some time to figure out
23. Tamagotchi Pix Ocean
For kids who love bubbles and the blue sea, the Tamagotchi Pix ocean is a great choice. Like all the Tamagotchi Pix, this one features a wealth of characters, ways to interact with your character and cute animations. Plus, with the 17 included games, you can train your Tamagotchi for a particular career you want it to have!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
While the Tamagotchi Pix has much more to offer than the ‘90s originals, it does pay for that by having a lower battery life. The best option is to get some rechargeable batteries so you can stop worrying about replacing them.
What We Love:
❤️ The camera function interacts with the Tama, such as taking pictures of food to feed it
❤️ Includes so many characters and things to do
❤️ You can train your Tama for a particular career
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The touch screen buttons are not very consistent
💔 The camera does not work well in low light
The Best Tamagotchi Smart
24. Tamagotchi Smart Coral Pink
An alternative option for those looking for a Tamagotchi with all the features that modern tech has to offer is the Tamagotchi Smart. This smart watch cum Tamagotchi is a wearable virtual pet with a rechargeable battery, a touch LCD screen and a microphone function. That means that not only can kids stroke their Tamagotchi, they can even call out to it and it will hear!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
The Tamagotchi Smart is super easy to bring everywhere thanks to its comfortable rubber wristband. It also features a wealth of games that incorporate arm movements, so it encourages kids to get active!
What We Love:
❤️ Wearable Tamagotchi with interchangeable wristbands
❤️ Features fun games that involve actual movement
❤️ The battery is rechargeable
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The language is Japanese only
💔 There aren’t as many functions as the Pix
💡 With the Tamagotchi Tamasuma memory card, you can download lots more characters and items. |
25. Tamagotchi Smart Mint Blue
This Tamagotchi Smart option is just like the one described above but with a mint blue shell and wristband. Another fun aspect of the Tamagotchi Smart is that the wristband is removable so that you can mix and match with a friend’s Tama of a different color!
Recommended age: 6 years and above |
If you’re struggling to decide between the Tamagotchi Pix and Smart, they have many of the same functions. The difference is in a few key features – while the Tamagotchi Pix allows you to take photos that become part of the virtual world, the Tamagotchi Smart is conveniently wearable with a rechargeable battery.
What We Love:
❤️ You can interact with your Tama by stroking it and calling out
❤️ Includes lots of characters, both familiar and new
❤️ Very convenient as it is wearable and rechargeable
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The buttons are all in Japanese
💔 The touch screen takes a while to figure out
💡 With the Tamagotchi Tamasuma memory card, you can download lots more characters and items. |
Some Common Questions About Tamagotchi
🙋♂️ What age is appropriate for Tamagotchi?
Tamagotchi are aimed at kids ages 6-8 and above. These virtual pets are not the same as most other toys in that they require a high level of attentiveness, which is probably too much for kids under 6.
Many 6-year-olds will find it challenging to keep up with all the responsibility, as you have to ensure your Tama is fed, happy, entertained and generally cared for. You know your child best and the level of commitment they can keep up with, but in general, we recommend reserving Tamagotchi for kids aged 8 and up.
🙋♂️ How long is a Tamagotchi lifespan?
The lifespan of a Tamagotchi depends on how well you take care of it and which Tamagotchi you get, with some randomness thrown in. Generally, if you take good care of your Tamagotchi, it will live for about 12 days.
However, poorly cared for Tamagotchi can die in a week or less and some special characters can last up to 25 days. In some Tamagotchi models, your pet doesn’t die but simply returns to its home planet when it has reached adulthood. Either way, once your virtual pet has left the nest, it’s time to raise another one!
🙋♂️ Are Tamagotchi worth anything??
Do you have an old ‘90s Tamagotchi rattling around in a drawer somewhere? Then it might just earn you a tidy sum. But don’t get your hopes up too soon, as not all Original Tamagotchi are worth the same. If you have a rare Tamagotchi or a Gen 1 that has never been opened, chances are it will fetch a few hundred dollars.
However, if your Tamagotchi is *pre-loved*, you won’t get that much for it. Most lucky is if you have an original English Tamagotchi – a bundle of three is selling on EBay for about $2,250!
So… What Tamagotchi Should I Get?
It all depends on what you want from your Tamagotchi! If you want the most exciting features and activities you can get, go for the Tamagotchi Pix or Smart. If you want something more pared down or you’re after a hit of nostalgia, get one of the Tamagotchi Originals. And if you’re buying for a superfan of a show or character, one of the special edition Tamagotchi could be best.
We have done our best to provide you with a comprehensive range of Tamagotchi to suit all budgets and desires. However, if you have a Tamagotchi that you think should have made a list, feel free to give us a shout!