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With cutesy graphics and a female-focussed origin story, Tamagotchi was positioned as a \u2018nurturing toy\u2019 for Japanese girls when Bandai launched the brand on 23rd November, 1996. But the gadget's massive popularity soon transcended gender and nationality - shifting 40 million units globally in just three years.\nUsers had to check in regularly with their virtual pets, which buzzed when they were hungry or needed attention. Otherwise, neglectful owners would witness their Tamagotchi transition into virtual TOMBSTONES.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how a stay-at-home tortoise inspired the concept; explain how the U.S. release of the toy was less brutal than its Japanese precursor; and wonder if now, with our pathetic attachments to Alexa and Siri, we are finally experiencing what 90s psychologists termed \u2018The Tamagotchi Effect\u2019...\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018A Brief History of the Tamagotchi\u2019 (Mental Floss, 2021): https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642373/tamagotchi-history\n\u2022 \u2018The Tamagotchi Effect: How Digital Pets Shaped The Way We Use Technology\u2019 (Digital Trends, 2019): https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/how-tamagotchi-shaped-tech/\n\u2022 Tamagotchi TV commercial from the 1990s (United States): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAahOV63_wA\nFor bonus material and to support the show, visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2021.\n#90s #Games #Japan\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices