KessCo has announced a collaboration with Bandai to introduce a new tabletop game titled Tamagotchi Collections. This board game reinterprets the classic virtual pets as characters that arrive on Earth, where players engage in activities such as feeding and playing with them. Designed for two to four players, the game targets families, collectors, and enthusiasts of pop culture, encouraging them to compete for the highest score by caring for various Tamagotchi characters.
In Tamagotchi Collections, players utilize dice to manage the care of their characters. The gameplay involves balancing the number of characters being cared for, as accumulating too many may lead to challenges reminiscent of managing multiple Tamagotchi devices. Successful management results in points awarded for each happy character, appealing to a wide audience, including parents, millennials familiar with the original Tamagotchi, and those who enjoy nurturing gameplay.
Alex Kessler, CEO of KessCo, noted that this partnership revitalizes a cherished intellectual property that has engaged fans over the years. He emphasized the board game’s ability to capture the nurturing essence of the original Tamagotchi experience, allowing players to enjoy the game in a social setting without the complications of digital devices.
Marina Common, a game designer at KessCo and a long-time Tamagotchi enthusiast, expressed her intention to evoke the nostalgia of managing multiple Tamagotchi devices through this tabletop format. She highlighted the game’s ability to resonate with both those who had limited access to these devices and those who owned several.
Tamagotchi Collections aligns with the renewed interest in Tamagotchi and presents an alternative way to engage with these iconic characters. The game serves as a means for new players to introduce Tamagotchi to younger generations while allowing older fans to reconnect with a piece of their childhood. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for collectors and pop culture aficionados to appreciate the evolution of Tamagotchi from handheld devices to a board game format.