Tamagotchi will have fun its thirtieth anniversary in 2026. Any ‘90s child (or their dad and mom!) may have heard of those Japanese-produced “digital pets.” They have been small, handheld gadgets containing pixelated animals.
Tamagotchi accumulating traces its roots again to the mid-Nineteen Nineties when Bandai launched the primary digital pet right into a world primed for moveable, interactive leisure. Priced at $18 at launch, these egg-shaped gadgets captured imaginations by demanding fixed care like feeding, enjoying with, and cleansing up after a digital pet that might “die” if uncared for. Unique Tamagotchis might breathe their final in lower than half a day if they didn’t obtain correct consideration from their homeowners. This demand rapidly grew to become an issue for lecturers as a result of youngsters would deliver their Tamagotchis to high school and be extra targeted on them than on their courses.
Not like different ‘90s collectibles equivalent to Pokémon playing cards, Tamagotchis got here in exhausting plastic shells, which means many have stood the take a look at of time effectively.
Excessive-Worth Gadgets
Extremely, some uncommon Tamagotchis are value 1000’s of {dollars} at present. “Aussie Shell,” for instance, was a particular version Connexion V3 completely launched in Australian Toys R Us shops. One bought in 2021 for precisely $10,000—representing an almost a 50,000% revenue on the unique sale value.
Different region-specific releases can go for pretty excessive costs. Colour schemes like “Pink Butterfly” and “Blue Hearts” have been by no means launched in North America, and are value just a few hundred {dollars} to collectors.
One other uncommon merchandise is the Tamawalkie Pedometer, initially produced by Bandai in 2008. It was solely bought in Asia and Australia. Made to resemble a UFO, the Tamawalkie is basically a small recreation machine the place the digital pet should earn “Mile Factors” to restore a broken spaceship. Designed to get youngsters strolling, nobody can argue with the nice intentions behind this product or the value. One in good situation, with out the unique field, went for $5,100 in 2023.
Excessive-value Tamagotchis sometimes share particular traits: they have been produced in restricted portions, have been region-exclusive (typically solely launched in Japan), or featured distinctive colours and characters not present in mass-market fashions. One unboxed uncommon Yasashii Blue Rainbow from 1997 went for $750 in 2024, regardless of not being in nice situation.
The Tamagotchi Satan variant ranks among the many rarest of early-generation gadgets. Devilgotchis, as they’re recognized, are sometimes cited as probably the most priceless first-edition Tamagotchi, with intact working ones altering palms for anyplace between $300 and $500, relying on situation. One from 1998 in its authentic unopened packaging reached practically $1000 in 2024.
Most Tamagotchis won’t command such excessive costs as of late, however many much less uncommon variations are nonetheless value a whole bunch of {dollars}. Tamagotchis from the early manufacturing runs of their authentic Japanese packaging might be picked up for below $100.
Nonetheless Going Sturdy?
Bandai nonetheless makes new Tamagotchis. These are typically extra user-friendly—it takes longer for pets to die if left unattended. Trendy Tamagotchis even have shade shows and web connectivity. The Tamagotchi On might be picked up new for round $60, whereas trendy re-issues of the originals promote for $20 – $25. Some uncommon ones go for a whole bunch of {dollars}. In April 2025, a uncommon Azure Blue Fairytale Dream Hearts shell bought for $220.
The much more current Tamagotchi Uni tops a number of bestselling digital pets lists and brings again the pedometers seen within the Tamawalkie classics. A brand new Uni will set you again $60, however given the historical past of Tamagotchi, it’ll probably improve in worth over time, particularly after the Uni line is discontinued. A Tamagotchi bought completely within the Asia/Oceania/Australia area will show extra collectible in the long term.
Gross sales figures underscore the model’s enduring enchantment—over 100 million models have been bought worldwide, cementing Tamagotchi’s place among the many bestselling digital toys ever. A number of on-line communities thrive, together with Discord servers, Reddit subforums, and devoted collector web sites. These provide up-to-date pricing data, in addition to avenues for collectors to commerce. If quite a bit about Tamagotchis, you possibly can even generate profits offering authentication companies.
Remaining Ideas
The emotional resonance of caring for a digital pet fuels a nostalgia-driven pursuit that always outweighs pure revenue motives. Rediscovering the tactile pleasure of urgent the care buttons, listening to the acquainted beeps, and watching favourite characters evolve.
Whether or not one collects for sentimental causes, potential returns, or each, the Tamagotchi group thrives on shared ardour. The continued launch of latest gadgets and the enduring reputation of classic ones imply the world of Tamagotchi accumulating will stay vibrant lengthy after the thirtieth anniversary.
Matthew Doherty is a author, editor, and instructor specializing in all issues history-related. His work has been printed within the UK Defence Journal, the Small Wars Journal, and The Collector. He holds an MSc from the College of Edinburgh and a BA from the College of Leeds. In his spare time, he additionally writes science fiction tales.
WorthPoint—Uncover. Worth. Protect.
