Download this: Tamagotchis are back and yes, there's still lots of poo

It's part Tamagotchi, part 'Animal Crossing,' and full of poo.
 By 
Karissa Bell
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

If you're a child of the '90s then you probably remember Tamagotchi, the egg-shaped digital "pets" we had to attend to constantly lest they die of neglect.

Now they're back, thanks to a new mobile game from Bandai Namco. First teased last year, My Tamagotchi Forever is the latest attempt to give you all the '90s feels.

The game itself is more of an updated spin on the original concept -- think Tamagotchi meets Animal Crossing. You're still expected to tend to your Tamagotchi's every need as it evolves from a toddler into an "adult," and they're every bit as needy as the original.

Yes, this involves cleaning up its poop. Just like the original game, the little critters generate surprising amounts of poo, considering their diet seems to consistent mostly of apples and chocolate bars.

Maybe I'm officially too old for Tamagotchi, but I was more than slightly disturbed by the fact that not only does the Tamagotchi literally shit on the floor, but you have to guide it onto the toilet and tap its belly to get the rest of the 💩 out.

I'm all for '90s nostalgia, but somehow this seems like more than I bargained for.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Anyway, if you can get past the toilet stage, there's a lot more to occupy you.

In addition to the basic upkeep, you're also expected to dress your fake pet up in various outfits, explore the surrounding "Tamatown," and play minigames. There's even an AR mode, because of course there is, so you can take selfies with your pets.

Naturally, the entire game is filled with various in-app purchases meant to get you to fork over actual cash for in-game currency. (In some cases, you can opt to watch ads instead.)

It's really all a far cry from the pocketable three-button original, but judging by the initial App Store reviews, it might just be the reboot we didn't know we needed. (Assuming you can get over all the poo, of course.)

Topics Gaming

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Karissa Bell

Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.

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