Buzz
Aki Maita, a former office worker from Japan, struck it big in the 1990s when she created the idea of Tamagotchi. This egg-shaped toy, which allowed kids to care for virtual pets without parents having to clean up after them, became an instant success. Over the years, numerous media franchises have partnered with the brand, and Star Wars is among them. Grogu (also known as Baby Yoda) and R2-D2 have already been transformed into Tamagotchis, and now it's Darth Vader's turn to get his own edition.
According to Gizmodo, the new Tamagotchi condenses the story of one of pop culture's most iconic villains into an adorable, interactive form. In this version, you can guide Anakin Skywalker through his journey to becoming Darth Vader by playing fun mini-games. Engage your Jedi in lightsaber training, join him on the Death Star trench run, and help him battle Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. The charming pixelated versions of these characters even reenact 12 scenes from the Star Wars saga. While Anakin's eventual shift to the dark side is inevitable, the type of Sith Lord he becomes is up to you. You can watch him evolve into 10 different versions of Darth Vader. The toy also includes a silicone case designed to resemble his iconic black helmet. The Darth Vader Tamagotchi is expected to be priced around $30, with a release set for this March.
Tamagotchi first launched in 1996, and even in the age of apps, it continues to thrive. Sales have more than doubled between 2022 and 2023. You can find a variety of Tamagotchi versions, ranging from the classic '90s models to updated editions, available on Bandai Namco's website.
The digital pet world took a strange and crispy turn when KFC introduced a fried-chicken-shaped version of the pocket game in select Spanish-speaking locations last year for a limited time. Instead of caring for a cute creature, players were tasked with looking after a sentient drumstick.
