It was the ’90s toy that every kid wanted… and every parent hated.
Now, 30 years after the original Tamagotchi hit the shelves, the digital pet is back.
Bandai, the company behind the toy, has released a miniature version of the Tamagotchi, priced at ¥7,700 (£35.54).
Called the ‘Tamagotchi Ring’, the new version features a small band designed to be worn on your finger.
‘The world’s smallest ring-shaped Tamagotchi device is born!’ Bandai explained in a video posted on its website YouTube channel.
‘Enjoy the same basic Tamagotchi care as before, but in a stylish ring shape with the new “Tamagotchi ring”!’
While fans will have to wait a while before they can get their hands on it, many have already taken to social media to express their excitement.
“My childhood responsibilities just got a wearable upgrade,” one X user joked, while another added, “Propose to me with the Tamagotchi ring.”
It was the ’90s toy that every kid wanted… and every parent hated. Now, 30 years after the original Tamagotchi hit the shelves, the digital pet is back
Bandai, the company behind the toy, has released a miniature version of the Tamagotchi, priced at ¥7,700 (£35.54).
Just like the original, the Tamagotchi Ring is egg-shaped and equipped with an LCD screen.
However, at just 1.12 inches x 0.9 inches x 1.4 inches, it is much smaller than its predecessor.
Users can choose from three colorways: pink and pearl white, light blue and metallic gold, or black and metallic silver.
However, if you want one, you’ll have to be patient.
Pre-orders won’t open until October 6 via Bandai’s Japanese online store, while shipping won’t happen until February 2027.
Despite this long wait, the excitement is already palpable on social media.
A user said to
Another added: ‘I hate how much I want it.’
Users can choose from three colorways: pink and pearl white, light blue and metallic gold, or black and metallic silver
Pre-orders won’t open until October 6 via Bandai’s Japanese online store, while shipping won’t happen until February 2027
And someone joked: ‘A Tamagotchi ring sounds like a recipe for getting distracted every two minutes during work meetings.’
The original Tamagotchi was released in 1996 and the name comes from the Japanese word for egg – ‘tamago’ – and the English word ‘watch’.
The toy was described as a ‘digital pet’ and contained 35 characters for the owners to care for.
Owners had to give them medicine when they were sick and clean up after they went to the toilet.
The state of the characters’ happiness and hunger levels was indicated by meters, which had to be checked regularly.
The early versions had no pause option and owners had to press a button every 30 minutes to feed them or they would starve.
This led to students around the world being distracted during class as they frantically tried to keep their Tamagotchis alive.
It was a big enough problem for teachers at some schools that the toys were banned.
However, the toy was praised for its potential to encourage empathy and responsibility in children, and proved to be a major hit, with more than 100 million units sold worldwide.
