Which Tamagotchi Should You Buy? Original vs Connection vs Paradise vs Uni

The Tamagotchi is one of Japan's most famous toys: a tiny digital pet in an egg-shaped shell that you feed, play with and clean up after, and that grows into different characters depending on how you care for it. Bandai launched it in Japan in the 1990s, and it is having a big comeback, with adults buying them for nostalgia and kids discovering them for the first time. Bandai now sells four kinds in the US, and they are more different than they look. This guide compares them using Bandai's official US product information (October 2026).

The drawings below are simple illustrations, not product photos. Prices and stock on Amazon change often, and some listings are Japanese versions imported by other sellers, so look for the English US version sold by Amazon or Bandai.

Original Tamagotchi: the 1997 classic

The one you remember. Bandai describes it as the original digital pet "you loved in 1997", back with the original generation 2 programming. You feed it, play the higher-or-lower number game, clean up and turn the lights off at night. No connections, no apps, just you and your pet. It comes in many shell designs and makes a great gift for anyone who had one as a kid.

Tamagotchi Connection: friends, marriage and generations

The social one, without the internet. Bandai brought back the 2004 Connection for its 20th anniversary in 2024. Point two devices at each other and their built-in infrared lets your Tamagotchi make friends, play games and exchange gifts, and eventually get married and raise the next generation. Bandai says you can meet more than 50 characters and play over 10 mini games. It runs on a CR2032 coin battery, which is included.

Tamagotchi Paradise: zoom from a cell to outer space

The newest and the most to explore. Paradise adds a zoom dial: turn it to move between views, from your Tama's cells up to its field and out to space, and care for it at each level. Bandai says you can grow more than 50 different kinds of Tamas depending on the environment and how you look after them, starting in one field and unlocking others. Dock two devices together and you'll find out whether your Tamas are a good match or a bad one. It runs on two AAA batteries.

Tamagotchi Uni: online and on your wrist

The connected one. Uni is built around the Tamaverse, an online world your Tama visits over Wi-Fi, with areas such as Tama Arena, Tama Party and Tama Fashion, and Wi-Fi updates that add new content. It comes with a wrist band so you can wear it, and a rechargeable battery with a USB-C cable, so no coin cells. You can also connect with a friend's Uni for playdates, gifts and even marriage.

Which one suits you?

• You had one in the 90s: Original Tamagotchi.
• You want to connect with friends, no Wi-Fi or app: Tamagotchi Connection.
• You want the newest, with the most to discover: Tamagotchi Paradise.
• You want online worlds, updates and a wearable: Tamagotchi Uni.
• Buying for a child: Paradise and Uni are rated ages 6+; Connection is also 6+.

Into Japanese hobbies? See also our guide to Gunpla and Transformers.