The Results Are In: The Original “Virtual Pet” is Still One of Every Kid’s Favorite Toys.
CYPRESS, Calif., December 20, 2004 - With a bigger screen, more dynamic graphics and new infrared technology, Bandai America Incorporated’s Tamagotchi Connection has been named one of the hottest toys this holiday season.
Tamagotchi Connection’s many accolades include:
- Selected as one of the coveted “Hot Dozen” by Toy Wishes Magazine, which annually predicts the toys that will be in the greatest demand during the holiday buying season.
- Honored as one of the top 10 toys of 2004 by Yahooligans!, which surveyed more than 185,000 kids across the country.
- Featured in Kidzworld.com’s top toy countdown, where voting for the top 10 toys is still open at
www.kidzworld.com.
Included on the Toys “R” Us “Joy List” as a hot gift idea for kids 8-11 years old.
- Included in ShopKo’s hot holiday toy list.
- The egg-shaped, handheld electronic toy was also a finalist in the inaugural Ultimate Toy Awards in the categories of “Tech Toys” and “Best Toy of 2004.”
“Tamagotchi Connection has already exceeded all our initial sales projections in Japan, Europe and the United States, making the world’s original ‘virtual pet’ a success once again,” said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Not only does the Tamagotchi simulate the life cycle of a real pet that you can feed, play and nurture into an adult, we’ve increased the play value by adding a fun new feature that allows kids to connect with their friends so that their Tamagotchis can swap gifts or play games with one other.”
Tamagotchi Connection allows you to collect and store up to 50 friends. Once an adult, your Tamagotchi can connect with a compatible friend and have a second-generation Tamagotchi that can be cared for and nurtured into an adult to create more generations to come.
With only a few days left for shopping, Bandai America has a wide range of must-have toys for boys and girls of all ages this holiday season. For young boys into action and adventure, Power Rangers DinoThunder features a collection of 12” battlized figures, deluxe vehicles and the Deluxe Megazords, which have battery operated action and interchanging pieces. Kids can also join forces with their favorite teen superheroes from the hit animated property Teen Titans with the Titans’ Launch Tower Playset.
For little girls, the mini-doll sensation Strawberry Shortcake features a collection of “scent-sational” small dolls and playsets, as well as the Singin’ Surprise Strawberry Shortcake plush. This interactive doll comes with unique color recognition technology that can trigger games, sing-a-longs and stories. And for those older girls into fun, fashion and friends, the T’neez are a group of bendable and poseable small dolls that love hanging out together at the Groove Mall playset.
About Bandai America Incorporated
Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy
company in the world, with 38 subsidiaries in 13 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children’s entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.
Bandai America Incorporated is the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children’s toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, Gundam, Teen Titans, Strawberry Shortcake and Tamagotchi product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at
www.Bandai.com.
