Getting Started
Instruction Manual
The instruction manual is in Japanese only, but contains some diagrams we'll be referencing.
Click here to see scans of it.
Insert Batteries and Press Reset
There is no pull tab to hatch it. You have to install two AAA-size batteries. The TMGC+C comes with batteries when purchased new. Look at the diagrams at the bottom of page 2 in the instruction manual. While pressing in on the small button in the middle of the battery door, the door can be removed by sliding it sideways. Many toys have one battery facing up, the other down, but in the TMGC+C both batteries are installed facing the same direction. After closing the battery door, press the reset button using something pointy but blunt, such as a straightened paperclip, or a flat toothpick.
Initial Setup
A short tune will play, then the date & time set screen will appear. I don't think I need to go into details for these steps. Anyone who has hatched any model Tamagotchi made since 2004 should be familiar with setting the date & time, your birth date, and entering a name. The name you enter here is your own, since this is the name your Tamagotchi character calls out when it needs attention. As with all Japanese-language Tamagotchis, only Japanese alphabet letters are available when entering the name. If you can't read them, just enter anything; it won't effect your Tamagotchi character. After this, an egg will appear on the screen. It will hatch in a minute or so.
Turning the Sound On & Off
While inside the house, and while no icons are lit, press and hold the C (right) button, then press the A (left) button. A Sound on / off menu will appear. The top option is on, the bottom option is off.
Adjusting the Date & Time
While inside the house and while no icons are lit, press the B (middle) button until the clock screen appears. The B button is used to scroll through inside-the-house, outside-the-house and the clock screens, so you may have to press it more than once to get to the clock screen.
At the clock screen, pressing the A button by itself toggles between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats.
At the clock screen, press and hold the C button, then press the A button to go the clock-set screen.
Adjusting the Screen Brightness
At the clock screen, press and hold the C button, then press the B button to go to the screen brightness adjustment screen. The A button lowers the brightness, the B button increases the brightness, and the C button saves your setting and exits back to the clock screen. Even when set to its lowest level, the screen is easy to see in a normally lit room. You may have to use the highest level in bright sunlight.
Pause
There is no pause function. Leaving it at the clock-set screen will effectively pause it.
Screen Saver
If you haven't pressed any buttons for 30 seconds, the screen will turn off. Your TMGC+C is not paused; it's still running, just the screen is turned off. If your character needs attention you will hear her beep for you (unless you've turned the sound off.) Pressing any button turns the screen on. The button press turning the screen on is otherwise ignored, so you don't have to worry about accidently activating some function.