How to Give a Tamagotchi as a Gift

Your kid has been nagging you for a pet, but the smells that are sure to follow are a real turn-off. Maybe you want a pet, but your lease doesn't allow them. Sounds like it's time for a Tamagotchi gift. Tamagotchis are virtual pets. Just like a real pet, a Tamagotchi needs to be fed, watered, played with and cleaned up after. Here's how to give a Tamagotchi to someone you love or someone you just want to irritate! Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Choose an early version (V1 or V2) if the user is either quite young (under 7) or technologically challenged. If you never use all the bells and whistles to your cell phone, you will probably enjoy the simpler virtual pets to care for. Version 2 introduced the wonderful pause control that allows its owner to sleep at night and go to school without allowing the Tamagotchi to die.
2. Experience all there is to a Tamagotchi with the latest versions, which feature an infrared technology far better than the previous liquid crystal display. Version 4 virtual pets go to school and get a job. Version 4.5 comes with special software and a microphone for giving voice commands to your virtual pet. Connect to the Internet for special codes to gain access to more extras.
3. Read the instructions and keep them nearby in the beginning. Understand what each button does and what each symbol means or face an angry or sad Tamagotchi who insistently beeps until you push the correct button. Check Bandai's Customer Service area for online versions of instructions if you lose yours.
4. Connect with other Tamagotchis. Owners meet to connect. Virtual pets make friends and give presents to each other. And if you have pets of the opposite sex, watch out. You may hatch new Tamagotchis.
5. Try out Tamagotchi in video game form. Nintendo offers Nintendogs for DS owners who want a dog. Another video game is Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop where you and your pet open a business that succeeds or fails depending on the choices you make. Even Nintendo's Wii is entering the mix with Tamagotchi Party On!

Tips & Warnings

• Check Celebrity Connections at the Tamagotchi site to see who else loves their virtual pets.
• Check with your cell phone carrier to see if they carry the Tamagotchi virtual pet game. PlayPhone, a prepaid cell phone for kids now comes with Tamagotchis.
• Beware! Tamagotchis are addictive. The best time for a new Tamagotchi is when you have plenty of time on your hands. Just like real babies and pets, a Tamagotchi needs a lot of care in the beginning.
• Tamagotchis are usually barred from schools. For some reason, they interfere with the learning process. Save yourself from getting your virtual pet confiscated by not taking it to school in the first place.
• Tamagotchi batteries last about four months. As they wear down, use the download feature to store information in flash memory before changing the battery.