Tamagotchi

is a game about acquiring adult-power before one's time

There were other reasons for the product’s popularity, however. Teenagers in all countries are notoriously under-empowered; their entire culture is about ways to acquire adult power before their time. With the tiny chick, they finally had something completely under their thumbs. It survived based on decisions they made; it died at their whim: indeed, it lived the kind of life they thought they did, but it could do nothing about it. They could. They had Tamagotchi.

is a game that taught city kids, who were not allowed pets, to learn interdependence so necessary for a healthy society.

As an image, the Tamagotchi displayed differences from its parents – digital games. It was not entirely presentational; it presumed a dialogue. The cute little encoded avians had to be cared for. This, said some educators (as well as the Bandai Co. Ltd, which makes the product), was a good thing. In the cities, the young are not allowed pets; they do not learn the interdependence so necessary for a healthy society. Tamagotchi teaches them responsibility.

tamagotchi, n.Definitions

tamagotchi