Tamagotchi Connection Version 3 Back With A Vengeance!

Tamagotchi Connection was first launched in 1996, and was considered an overnight success. Later in 2004, Bandai America re-introduced the Tamagotchi Connection in the US and Canada, and there has been no looking back since then. In 2005, Tamagotchi Connection went ahead to become one of the most coveted toys by both boys and girls alike.

"Tamagotchi has a broad appeal to both girls and boys. The toy ranked #1 for girls within the Robotic/Interactive Playmates category for 2005, and #4 for boys," said Anita Frazier, industry analyst for The NPD Group. "And when looking at just the virtual pets within the category itself, Tamagotchi ranked #1."

Here are pictures of the new Tamagotchi Version 3. Patterns include fun stuff like ice cream, cool designs like ocean waves and exotic designs like tropical flowers.

The new version of Tamagotchi, the Tamagotchi Version 3, is an improved version of the Tamagotchi Connection Version 2. The online Tamagotchi site, TamaTown.com, features a new play pattern. Kids can explore the magical world that Mametchi, Memetchi, Kuchipatchi and all their friends live in while shopping at the mall, visiting with their pet's parents and grandparents, meeting the famed Tamagotchi King and even traveling the world to exotic destinations.

Tamagotchi Connection Version 3 builds on the play patterns of its predecessors by continuing to offer "Gotchi" Points and secret codes for shopping, as well as infrared technology that allows owners to "connect" their pets together to play games and trade gifts with one another. Version 3 features three refreshed games (for a total of five games), 20 additional characters (for a total of 52), and 24 new design styles, including Translucent Black, Translucent Pink, Zebra Stripes, Green Snake, Sky Blue Circles and Pink Ribbon. New Tamagotchi lanyards -- with a cute character figurine attached -- will also be unveiled throughout the year, allowing you to wear your virtual pet around your neck for easy travel and access (SRP $5.99).

About Tamagotchi Connection

The Tamagotchi lets kids experience all the fun of raising a pet -- without the responsibility and mess. With a larger display and enhanced graphics, the advanced toy features infrared technology that allows owners to "connect" their virtual pets together to play games, trade gifts and become friends, while storing a "Friend List" of up to 45 pals in their egg. Once an adult, the character can "connect" with a compatible friend and hatch more generations that can be nurtured and played with for endless fun. The more interaction, the more "Gotchi" Points are earned that can then be used for shopping in the Tamagotchi and on the TamaTown.com Web site.