GigaPets Trolls - Zudes-inspired virtual buddies?

[Penguin-keeper]

I haven't seen anybody else mention these yet, but I saw them when I checked the official GigaPetsAR website the other day: https://gigapetsar.myshopify.com/products/gigapets-trolls

They're a new GigaPets offshoot called GigaPets Trolls. The packaging bills them as a "virtual friend", and bears the text "TROLLS NEVER DIE!", though I must admit that I'm not 100% sure if that's a product feature or a statement about 1990s pop-culture (and I find that charming).

Also, I don't know if this is intentional or not, but the design and gameplay-loop of these guys reminds me a bit of Zudes, which were a post-Giga Pets virtual creature "with attitude" that was released by Tiger Electronics in the early 2000s, who came in somewhat iMac-esque shells that were topped with Troll-style hair. The only thing that seems to be absent is the "mouse" that you could move to interact with the Zudes further, and the ability to connect to other devices in the line.

I think that I'll keep waiting for the GigaPetsAR Penguin for now, but it's really nice to see the revived GigaPets line continuing to introduce new products two years later!

 

[Berks]

I particularly like the "REAL TROLL SOUNDS" hahah

 

[Penguin-keeper]

I particularly like the "REAL TROLL SOUNDS" hahah

Yes, I'd love to know their source for those!

Really, I do find the whole thing charming. It's so cool that they're still releasing new stuff. Now we just need Bandai to fire back with reissues of the Mori, Umi, and so on!

 

[Berks]

 Now we just need Bandai to fire back with reissues of the Mori, Umi, and so on!

I second this