MEDIA / PRESS
Posted: 03.29.2006
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Cliff Jin/Wendy Wong The Rogers Group (310) 552-4105/552-4141 cjin@rogerspr.com wwong@rogerspr.com * Visuals available upon request |
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Bandai America's Tamagotchi® Connection™ Continues to be the Hottest Selling "Virtual Pet" Around
(Cypress, CA – March 29, 2006) – Since the brand's return to toy shelves in late 2004, the world's first and most popular "virtual pet" continues to win over fans young and old with a dynamic combination of technology and fun. In fact, Bandai America Incorporated's Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 – which was introduced last year with new shopping features – ended 2005 as one of the hottest selling toys and appeared on numerous awards and kids' holiday wish lists.
"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."
Originally launched in 1996, the egg-shaped Tamagotchi - which simulates the life cycle of a real pet - went on to sell more than 40 million units worldwide and created a brand new toy category within the industry. Bandai America reintroduced the brand in late 2004 with new technology as Tamagotchi Connection, and has created stronger-than-ever consumer demand in the U.S. and Canada that continues to grow exponentially.
Building on its phenomenal sales success last year, Bandai America recently launched the advanced Tamagotchi Connection Version 3, which features a whole new online play pattern at TamaTown.com. Now, fans 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. In just the few weeks since its debut, Version 3 is already outperforming its predecessor by selling twice the amount of Version 2, and more than 50,000 users have been visiting the site each day.
"The launch of the interactive TamaTown.com Web site adds an entirely new and dynamic dimension to the brand, and is contributing to the overwhelming sales success of Version 3 to date," said Michael Riley, VP of marketing for Bandai America Inc. "With summer vacation a few months away, parents can rest a little bit easier on those family road trips since the kids will be entertained in the backseat with their handheld Tamagotchis. Once they arrive at their destination, they can hop right back on the computer or laptop and visit TamaTown.com for even more interaction with their virtual pet."
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). Product is currently available at all major retailers nationwide with a SRP of $14.99. For more information, visit Tamagotchi.com.
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.
About Bandai America Incorporated
A leader in introducing Japanese toy trends to the United States, Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., a newly formed joint entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests now encompass five strategic business units: toys and hobby (toys, models, apparel and sundries), amusement facilities, game content (home and arcade console gaming), mobile content, and visual and music content (including home entertainment). Bandai America is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children's toys and entertainment today, including Power Rangers, Teen Titans, Firehouse Tales, Tamagotchi and Magical DoReMi. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California and information is available at www.Bandai.com.
