Anyone know which model of Connection this is?

[KameMelodic]

guess who’s back from the dead!

I have just ordered the Tamagotchi Connection pictured above from a seller on eBay, and while waiting for its arrival, decided to look into what its shell was originally (I was considering restoring it to its original paint design, but im not sure yet). It was listed as a Connection V2, however, in looking into the V2, I have not found any shell matching this Tama’s background design, button color, *or* including the Mail Icon in place of the lamp. I’m frankly stumped- it seemed legitimate enough, and if anyone can help me figure this out, it’d be greatly appreciated

 

[dinklegoose]

Hey! Extremely late, but I just came across this post and also just made an account after being a longtime lurker. Were you able to figure out which version this is? I took a peep at TamaShell.com and the only devices I've seen with the mail in place of the lamp are the some v4's and v4.5's. Even still, none of which match the design of the background.

 

[KameMelodic]

I did find this while researching, maybe it’s a Chou Jinsei Enjoi Plus? but the Entama also didn’t feature the post icon, from what I can find- besides, what I ordered is lacking an antennae. I don’t know, just a thought.

 

[KameMelodic]

Hey! Extremely late, but I just came across this post and also just made an account after being a longtime lurker. Were you able to figure out which version this is? I took a peep at TamaShell.com and the only devices I've seen with the mail in place of the lamp are the some v4's and v4.5's. Even still, none of which match the design of the background.

Haven’t figured it out yet, I also scoured TamaShell.com! my working theory is that it’s a gutted 4.5 or 4 with a replaced shell - I’ve Noticed that a lot of tamas also have certain backgrounds that aren’t shown in their retail pictures, so I’m not so sure! Will post more information about it once it arrives, really curious as to how this will pan out!! Also, you’re not late at all

 

[Tamacass]

Hey!!! I've actually got a few V4 models that match that exact sheet background (with the red spots + lines!), and as they're Oceania shell designs (specifically released in Australian/New Zealand territories, usually with shells based on original Entama designs) it makes me wonder if said background is more exclusive to non-promotional V4s released in territories other than the US. Then again, a lot of the photographs on Tamashell.com of V4 and V4.5s are promotional US models, and a lot of quirks of those promo models/prototype designs had sometimes didn't make it to release, exactly as you said! Again, I'd have to do a comparison -- and the only V4s I've got on me are Oceania ones! If it helps, my V4.5 has a completely different sheet background that most V4.5s were released with (it's blue with a cute little rainbow in the middle!) - so it's likely this little repainted antenna-less guy is looking to be a V4. BUT from the photo it's wayy too clean to be missing an antenna - so I think you're definitely right about it being a gutted shell with V4 bits shoved into it.

Knowing where you're getting this model shipped from would be the ticket! That antenna it's got also seems to be a replacement ball chain - some UK versions of the V4 were released with the typical silver ball chains if I'm not mistaken. US models came with the circular keychain we all know and love, and Oceania V4s usually came with beads like the Entamas did - I guess we won't really know, again, considering that chain's more likely than not a replacement. This is so interesting and intriguing -- once it arrives we'll definitely be able to nail down its proper origin for sure!

EDIT: OKAY SO. THIS CHANGES MOST OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN UP THERE -- The baby character in the photo provided is the girl baby, Shirobabytchi - the only Connection model Shirobabytchi appeared on is the V1. But this shouldn't make sense because the girl baby character on the V4 is Tsubutchi, which has a completely different sprite. So why is there a mail icon?! Is it because of the shell swap?? Would it still technically display lamp options through the ROM instead? My US-release V1 has a number-patterned sheet background and much to my knowledge the V1s didn't come with this red spotty sheet background, only the V4s,, what could this mean.....?!

there's something very interesting about this indeed...!!!! I'm actually so excited to see where this goes oh my goodness!!

 

[Bentobuff]

Hey!!! I've actually got a few V4 models that match that exact sheet background (with the red spots + lines!), and as they're Oceania shell designs (specifically released in Australian/New Zealand territories, usually with shells based on original Entama designs) it makes me wonder if said background is more exclusive to non-promotional V4s released in territories other than the US. Then again, a lot of the photographs on Tamashell.com of V4 and V4.5s are promotional US models, and a lot of quirks of those promo models/prototype designs had sometimes didn't make it to release, exactly as you said! Again, I'd have to do a comparison -- and the only V4s I've got on me are Oceania ones! If it helps, my V4.5 has a completely different sheet background that most V4.5s were released with (it's blue with a cute little rainbow in the middle!) - so it's likely this little repainted antenna-less guy is looking to be a V4. BUT from the photo it's wayy too clean to be missing an antenna - so I think you're definitely right about it being a gutted shell with V4 bits shoved into it.

Knowing where you're getting this model shipped from would be the ticket! That antenna it's got also seems to be a replacement ball chain - some UK versions of the V4 were released with the typical silver ball chains if I'm not mistaken. US models came with the circular keychain we all know and love, and Oceania V4s usually came with beads like the Entamas did - I guess we won't really know, again, considering that chain's more likely than not a replacement. This is so interesting and intriguing -- once it arrives we'll definitely be able to nail down its proper origin for sure!

EDIT: OKAY SO. THIS CHANGES MOST OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN UP THERE -- The baby character in the photo provided is the girl baby, Shirobabytchi - the only Connection model Shirobabytchi appeared on is the V1. But this shouldn't make sense because the girl baby character on the V4 is Tsubutchi, which has a completely different sprite. So why is there a mail icon?! Is it because of the shell swap?? Would it still technically display lamp options through the ROM instead? My US-release V1 has a number-patterned sheet background and much to my knowledge the V1s didn't come with this red spotty sheet background, only the V4s,, what could this mean.....?!

there's something very interesting about this indeed...!!!! I'm actually so excited to see where this goes oh my goodness!!

It could be that the lcd in the V1 broke, and they replaced it with a V4's screen, and swapped the background paper while they were at it. If memory serves, the V4 has the same number of icons, so it'd just be a simple switcheroo and wouldn't cause an issue for the sound(the delicate wires, I'm not good at soldering so when I've done board swaps I just cover the speaker wires with a bit of electrical tap ). In this case it means the owner did maitnence and it is definitely a beloved Tama. (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠)
What a cute find!

Thoughts about the paper!!! The design looks a little bit like a snowflake! I feel, given how the ball chain was changed too(and maybe the buttons?) It's a completely custom wintertime Tama. Super cool!

 

[KameMelodic]

Hey!!! I've actually got a few V4 models that match that exact sheet background (with the red spots + lines!), and as they're Oceania shell designs (specifically released in Australian/New Zealand territories, usually with shells based on original Entama designs) it makes me wonder if said background is more exclusive to non-promotional V4s released in territories other than the US. Then again, a lot of the photographs on Tamashell.com of V4 and V4.5s are promotional US models, and a lot of quirks of those promo models/prototype designs had sometimes didn't make it to release, exactly as you said! Again, I'd have to do a comparison -- and the only V4s I've got on me are Oceania ones! If it helps, my V4.5 has a completely different sheet background that most V4.5s were released with (it's blue with a cute little rainbow in the middle!) - so it's likely this little repainted antenna-less guy is looking to be a V4. BUT from the photo it's wayy too clean to be missing an antenna - so I think you're definitely right about it being a gutted shell with V4 bits shoved into it.

Knowing where you're getting this model shipped from would be the ticket! That antenna it's got also seems to be a replacement ball chain - some UK versions of the V4 were released with the typical silver ball chains if I'm not mistaken. US models came with the circular keychain we all know and love, and Oceania V4s usually came with beads like the Entamas did - I guess we won't really know, again, considering that chain's more likely than not a replacement. This is so interesting and intriguing -- once it arrives we'll definitely be able to nail down its proper origin for sure!

EDIT: OKAY SO. THIS CHANGES MOST OF WHAT WAS WRITTEN UP THERE -- The baby character in the photo provided is the girl baby, Shirobabytchi - the only Connection model Shirobabytchi appeared on is the V1. But this shouldn't make sense because the girl baby character on the V4 is Tsubutchi, which has a completely different sprite. So why is there a mail icon?! Is it because of the shell swap?? Would it still technically display lamp options through the ROM instead? My US-release V1 has a number-patterned sheet background and much to my knowledge the V1s didn't come with this red spotty sheet background, only the V4s,, what could this mean.....?!

there's something very interesting about this indeed...!!!! I'm actually so excited to see where this goes oh my goodness!!

Oh my gosh, that’s wild!! Thank you so much for all the information

The seller I bought it from is based in Paris, so it‘d definitely make sense for the backgrounds not to line up with US releases.

gosh, this is puzzling- the mystery only continues!!

It could be that the lcd in the V1 broke, and they replaced it with a V4's screen, and swapped the background paper while they were at it. If memory serves, the V4 has the same number of icons, so it'd just be a simple switcheroo and wouldn't cause an issue for the sound(the delicate wires, I'm not good at soldering so when I've done board swaps I just cover the speaker wires with a bit of electrical tap ). In this case it means the owner did maitnence and it is definitely a beloved Tama. (⁠´⁠∩⁠｡⁠•⁠ ⁠ᵕ⁠ ⁠•⁠｡⁠∩⁠`⁠)
What a cute find!

Thoughts about the paper!!! The design looks a little bit like a snowflake! I feel, given how the ball chain was changed too(and maybe the buttons?) It's a completely custom wintertime Tama. Super cool!

That’d be interesting, but I’m not so sure that the action icons that show up could still be from a V4, if the screen display is showing a V1 character? My connection knowledge is limited, and I don’t have my V5 on me, so I’m not really sure! Very possible though

crazy how this mystery just keeps expanding!

 

[Bentobuff]

Oh my gosh, that’s wild!! Thank you so much for all the information

The seller I bought it from is based in Paris, so it‘d definitely make sense for the backgrounds not to line up with US releases.

gosh, this is puzzling- the mystery only continues!!


That’d be interesting, but I’m not so sure that the action icons that show up could still be from a V4, if the screen display is showing a V1 character? My connection knowledge is limited, and I don’t have my V5 on me, so I’m not really sure! Very possible though

crazy how this mystery just keeps expanding!

It's actually not that surprising! The LCD screens are made to have those icons a very specific way! I can't remember exactly how I know, but it was either because I took two versions apart and accidentally put the wrong LCDs in, or put the LCD in one I was tinkering with upside down and the icons appeared upside down. Either way, the screen doesn't know how to make icons for different systems, it just knows the 1st, 2nd, 5th, etc icon is illuminated and when you press "B" when a specific slot is illuminated, that's what you want to do!

 

[KameMelodic]

It's actually not that surprising! The LCD screens are made to have those icons a very specific way! I can't remember exactly how I know, but it was either because I took two versions apart and accidentally put the wrong LCDs in, or put the LCD in one I was tinkering with upside down and the icons appeared upside down. Either way, the screen doesn't know how to make icons for different systems, it just knows the 1st, 2nd, 5th, etc icon is illuminated and when you press "B" when a specific slot is illuminated, that's what you want to do!

That’s so interesting, i’ve always assumed they were all separate. thank you for all the extra info!!!!! Cant wait to get this thing and see what the deal is haha

 

[KameMelodic]

we’re up and running, party people!!!

Egg has just hatched, and it’s definitely a v1. I’m going to mess around with the icons and see what they do!!

i have named the baby Loaf, in honor of the bread family!

everything seems to be working fine, the buttons are a little finicky and definitely replaced, Im impressed with the level of customization on this!

one thing - I did notice that the infrared on this one is noticeably more solid than the one on my non-customized v5? It’s hard to get on camera but heres what I captured


you can see through it a bit more on the v5- shone a light through the infrared on the new one and it seems to be *slightly* translucent. Weird.

 

[iAM]

My theory is this could be a V1/V2 and the original owner swapped the screens with V4/V4.5 one.

I hope you keep running this one till adult stage, I guess we will know for sure when the keep evolving.