I am brand new to this site and I have to say: this thread is the reason I joined! =p
I am 28 years old and a big kid at heart. I had 4 virtual pets when they first came out. I was in high school at the time. I just recently found 2 of them, started my o DinoKun (the original) back up again (after some new batteries and a minor surgery performed to get 2 of the buttons working again) and have found a new obsession. I say new obsession because I currently collect virtual minipets in WoW. I have 130/188. I never knew there were so many different kinds of Tamagotchis, Giga Pets, and all of the other crazy brands of "keychain pets" out there. I am amazed and enthralled and yes I was rocking my Dinkey Dino on the belt loop of my shorts all day today. And you better believe if I saw an older person playing with one (or anyone at all for that matter, regardless of their age!) I would tell them to Rock On! ^^
Seriously, I don't think there is a "too old" for anyone to have any collection that makes them happy (unless it was dead animal carcasses or human fingers or jars of vomit or..yeah I have problems). Pets of any kind make me happy, and these little toy pets are harmless. I can only hope that one day, if and when I should ever have a family and bear children, they will love and embrace my quirks. Furthermore, the thought of my future children having a conversation similar to this one:
"It's mom's birthday next week, what should we get her?"
"Check her virtual pet wish list and get on ebay!"
makes me smile. =)
If anyone should disagree, of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion but...*throws Tamagotchi imposters* =D