Tamagotchi Smart Deep Dive! (lots of photos & manual translations!)

[OldSchoolVPQ]

As of around 10 AM August 29 I've got the 25th Anniversary Tamagotchi Smart in hand, and as I seem to be the first TamaTalker to get my hands on it, I'm going to share whatever information I discover with you!

First off is the packaging as well as the contents:

I really appreciate no-nonsense compact packaging. The box is made of matte-finished card stock, so it's very delicate. Please be careful when you get yours!

This side panel just makes me SO happy...! "Nostalgic" indeed!

Now to look inside...

UM, HOW SHORT IS THAT MICRO-B USB CABLE?

I can't get enough of this design. I LOVE the clear plastic in the corner - it's such a nice touch! Really reminiscent of the classic packaging that was die-cut around the UFO!!

Here it is, the main event! So clean, so pristine...we've come so far. Note the new brand logo as well as the "Digital Friends of the World" tagline! 

Material-wise, the buttons are hard plastic like the Meets before it.

The cover/strap feels like silicone rubber to me. It's smooth but not overly soft. More to come on that when I actually take it out of the package...

What? You want to know about the instruction manual? It only came with a quick-start guide...with a link to the official manual on Bandai's website! I'm in the midst of translating it at light speed, and will post snippets in here. Stay tuned!

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

As this Tamagotchi uses technology not previously seen in the product line (rechargeable battery, touch screen, etc.), I think it's important to pay attention to the instruction manual.

Instead of hopping straight into what the toy can do, I want to get the instructions translated as quickly as possible!

Here's what I've got so far...

Basic Diagram

Using the Strap

I'll be testing how secure the connection is. I have some reservations about the buckle...

TOUCHSCREEN GESTURES!! 

There are a total of 4 touch sensors built into the screen, and they're really doing their best to imitate an actual smart device with the swiping/scrolling!

Seems like there will be a lot of reliance on the middle Home Button.

P.S. I'm translating at light speed here, please let me know if anything's unclear or if you catch any typos!!

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

Quick update...I'm about halfway through translating the manual, and I have learned...

TWO OF THE THREE BUTTONS ARE PURELY FOR DECORATION!

The toy is operated entirely via the four quadrants on the touch screen and the middle Home Button.

Is this allowed?! (Obviously yes, since it shipped that way)...but whoa. Quite a change.

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

OH NO ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES BREAK!!!

But Child/Kid Stage can wear accessories, so that's nice I guess? Still no word on how quickly Gotchi Points accumulate as I've spent all afternoon translating...

Also check the new location of the room cleaning item! Tamagotchi Roomba...so cute. Spin-off merch, anyone? 

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

Apps! Apps! Apps!

TamaTinder! UberTama Eats! Tamazon.com! InsTamagram!

...4 whole photos? Seriously??

Let me know if I've translated/specified enough of the Japanese text to be practical.

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

IT'S GAME TIME, FOLKS!

The gig economy has come for our poor precious Gotchis...sometimes the gameplay can be a little too real.

Kind of excited to go hang in the park, especially if there's SPONTANEOUS MINI-GAMES!

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

Here's a bunch of initial settings!

As it'll be a while until I translate the last few pages of the manual (I have 5 left out of 19!), here are the Approved USB Adapters mentioned on P.5:

• Anker PowerPort mini
  
• Anker PowerPort 2 Elite
  
• Elecom AVA-ACUAN007
  
• Elecom MPA-ACU07
  
• Sanwa Supply ACAIP49 Series
  
• Sanwa Supply ACAIP55BK
  

Don't forget to take your country's voltage into account!

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

12 hours of translating and I haven't actually turned the toy on.

An adventure for tomorrow, perhaps!?

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

Basic care stuff.

They're chatty little guys, huh!

I do like that the Tamagotchi will keep itself entertained while you're away instead of relying on a babysitter, daycare, or their parents like in previous versions. Makes it feel a bit more independent...though if they can keep themselves fed and use the toilet while you're gone, why do they need you at all?!

The one thing I did notice about the Growth section is that they didn't mention how long it takes to grow from each stage...guess that's for us to find out through experimentation!

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

One last page before I hit the hay: Link Play!

What kind of transmission is affected by sound? I don't recall any such limitation on Bluetooth, so it must be something different? The warnings did mention it includes a magnet. Could that be a hint?

On another note, the elimination of Breeding/Mixing really killed those interactivity options, huh. (I miss the Keitama's item-based mini-games.)

 

[LucidLyes]

Wow! thank you for documenting this so quickly!

 

[Cloud]

Thank you so much for the translations!

 

[Penguin-keeper]

Top marks for a really high-quality thread, @OldSchoolVPQ!

As it'll be a while until I translate the last few pages of the manual (I have 5 left out of 19!), here are the Approved USB Adapters mentioned on P.5:

• Anker PowerPort mini
  
• Anker PowerPort 2 Elite
  
• Elecom AVA-ACUAN007
  
• Elecom MPA-ACU07
  
• Sanwa Supply ACAIP49 Series
  
• Sanwa Supply ACAIP55BK
  

Don't forget to take your country's voltage into account!

Now is a good time to point out, for anyone who isn't aware, that USB-C cables don't work like older types of USB charging cable. Because USB-C can push much higher voltages (USB-C cables can handle up to 20V/100W), using dangerous cheap cables that lack the proper internals can, at the very least, result in your device being destroyed.

Always use good-quality cables that stick to the USB-C specification - look up a list of known-good branded cables if in doubt!

More information can be found here if anyone is interested: https://www.eteknix.com/google-engineer-goes-war-bad-usb-type-c-cables/

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

Top marks for a really high-quality thread, @OldSchoolVPQ!

Now is a good time to point out, for anyone who isn't aware, that USB-C cables don't work like older types of USB charging cable. Because USB-C can push much higher voltages (USB-C cables can handle up to 20V/100W), using dangerous cheap cables that lack the proper internals can, at the very least, result in your device being destroyed.

Always use good-quality cables that stick to the USB-C specification - look up a list of known-good branded cables if in doubt!

More information can be found here if anyone is interested: https://www.eteknix.com/google-engineer-goes-war-bad-usb-type-c-cables/

YES, this is so important! Thank you for the great resource! 

I also have to apologize, as in my excitement I failed to notice the Smart uses a Micro-B USB cable, not USB-C. 

While this does reduce the risk of frying the battery a bit, cable quality is something that shouldn't be ignored.

Only the best for our Tamas, yeah? 

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

TamaSmaCard time!

The manual is poorly worded both here and the initial description of Fondness Icons, as it's not clear if TamaSmaCard character Fondness Icons will remain after the TamaSmaCard data is erased/overwritten.

 

[bunbun]

Thank you!!

I am looking forward to receiving my 25th Anniv. watch soon, though the decorative button design is odd.

 

[Cloud]

So no using the 1996 accessories with Tamas from other cards. That sucks.

If the items are redownloaded onto the same device at a later date... does that take up one of the three downloads?

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

If the items are redownloaded onto the same device at a later date... does that take up one of the three downloads? 

No, it should not take up one of the three downloads as the card should recognize the Tamagotchi. I know 4U cards recognized username and birthday, so any Tama using the same name/birthday combination could get around the 2-Tama registration limit...maybe TamaSmaCards will work with a similar system? (Has anyone tested this with Vital Bracelet DIM cards?) 

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

"Hewwo!"

I bit the bullet and started up the Smart earlier tonight.

After getting initial settings out of the way, the first egg appeared! 1 minute later Baby Stage Puchikotchi (poo-chee-koh-chee) appeared! I can't find a gender marker on the profile page but she looks pretty feminine. 

During the Baby Stage, which lasts exactly 1 hour, your care options are limited to the following menu options: Status/Settings, Meal (Milk)/Snack (Biscuit), Assistance, Bath/Toilet, Possessions (Rattle), and Link Play (download TamaSmaCard data only). However, you can also access the Communication menu, so you can pet and talk to your Tamagotchi between very frequent poops. It's not very talkative straight out of the egg, and gets confused if you pet it the wrong way...

After it gets sick and takes a nap, the Baby Tamagotchi will GROW! Introducing Chamekotchi (chah-meh-koh-chee).

A simple and proper little girl. She's now able to wear accessories (though I haven't bought any yet), visit outside locations, and use Apps!

I'm crazy about mini-games, so I visited TamaWork first thing! Here are my thoughts... 

Look This Way (1996 Friends TamaSmaCard DLC): This might be the best pixel representation of a classic Tamagotchi screen we've ever had. Very faithfully recreated! At the same time I can't believe 25 years down the line we're paying extra to play the oldest game in Tamagotchi history on the most cutting-edge model.

Drink Memory: You get shown the complete order with just enough time to read the ingredients, then like, a second or two to see the individual ingredients. Strawberry and Caramel sauce are the same shape, and there are two sizes of sprinkles, so you really have to pay attention. Advantageous if you can read Japanese. 

Food Delivery: FAST! My reflexes are not fast enough to dodge the obstacles fast enough. Think the second half of the Pix Rocket game only with less time to react. You get to disappoint a wide variety of Tamagotchi characters by ruining their food with your incompetent driving! 

Dance♪Move: The screen will show you one of 3 dance moves, flash a groovy "Let's Dance" screen, then the music will start with the command to start dancing. Do the specified action as many times as you can while the music plays. Very cute scene of your Tamagotchi on the disco dancefloor just before scoring!

TamaPet Salon: Don't play this one with the Tama on your wrist, you'll hurt yourself! I recommend taking it out of the wristband to play. It really takes me back to the days of shaking the heck out of Pocket Pikachu. 

Gotchi Points awarded:

ざんねん Too bad 10 GP

まだまだ〜 Not quite 150 GP

もーちょい！ Almost there! 200 GP

やったね！ You did it! 300 GP

I've been playing Uratama and Pix for the past three weeks, so this payout system feels crazy generous.

Further exploration was put on hold, however, when Chamekotchi fell asleep at 7:30 PM. 

More tomorrow... 

 

[OldSchoolVPQ]

They grow up so fast...! It's only been one day but they've grown to Child Stage already! Rabyrabytchi is a little "lovey bunny" who just spills hearts everywhere! 

Even her hair's a heart... 

I have a feeling this may have the result of an overflowing Fondness meter. 

Also, fall has come to the Smart with a Moon Festival in the Park. 

Chamekotchi visited during the day. Check that cool chick hat I bought off TamaShopping. Accessories on kids are delightful, but they don't show up on TamaSelfie. I wonder if we can get a piece of Pampas Grass (susuki) to play with too? 

Shot of the day...visiting the Park at night resulted in a funny cutscene! Maybe we'll be able to get Tsukimi Dango as a snack item somehow? 

Anyway, let's refresh the life cycle:

Egg → (1 minute) → Baby → (1 hour) → Kid → (1 day) → Child

Baby: no set sleep/wake time

Kid: Wakes up at 7 AM, sleeps at 7:30 PM

Child: Sleeps at 8:30 PM

More tomorrow?!