Tamagotchi Plaza

Tamagotchi Plaza
Key artwork
Developer(s)Hyde, Inc.
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
SeriesTamagotchi
Platform(s)
Release
  • JP: June 26, 2025
  • WW: June 27, 2025
Genre(s)Life simulator
Mode(s)Single Player, Multiplayer

Tamagotchi Plaza[a] is a life simulation video game based on the Tamagotchi toy line for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It released worldwide on June 27, 2025, making it the first Tamagotchi video game to be released outside of Japan in 18 years.

Tamagotchi Plaza is a follow up to the popular Nintendo DS series Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop. Similar to the rest of the series, gameplay involves purchasing a shop, serving customers via minigames, and upgrading your shops.

Gameplay

Players take the role of shopkeepers of various stores in Tamahiko Town and perform minigames to serve customers. Successfully performing the minigames enhances the reputation of the shop, which will earn the shop an upgrade and unlocks more features.[1] In the game, players help upgrade shops and get the town ready for an upcoming festival. Twelve shops are available in the base Nintendo Switch version of the game, and some shops allow two-players to play local co-op and versus modes.[2][3]

Playing the shops minigames will reward players with Gotchi Points. These points can be used to upgrade shops and improve the town square.[4]

Tamagotchi Uni features

The game can connect to Tamagotchi Uni devices. This allows players to gain access to exclusive items and events. This functionality is similar to how the website TamaTown functioned, which allowed players to exchange items between the website and their Tamagotchi Connection toys.[5] Players get rewards in both Uni and Plaza, including additional ways to earn Gotchi, limited items, minigames, and exclusive Tamagotchis.[6]

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game has three additional shops available, bringing the total shops available to fifteen. These three additional shops utilize features of the Joy-Con 2, such as its mouse functionality.[7]

Development

The game was developed by Japanese developer Hyde, Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the first Tamagotchi video game on a game console since the 2017 Japan-only 3DS game, Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisetchi Ninki no Omise Atsumemashita. It is also the first game released outside of Japan since Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 in 2008. This makes it the first Tamagotchi video game released on a game console in eight years in Japan, and the first released outside the country in eighteen years.[8]

Release

Tamagotchi Plaza was announced in a Nintendo Direct presentation on March 27, 2025.[9] The game released on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on June 26, 2025 in Japan, and June 27, 2025 worldwide.[10] Players who purchase the Nintendo Switch version of the game can purchase an optional upgrade to the Switch 2 edition.[11] The game received a physical release in Japan, with the Switch 2 version being fully "on-cartridge" and not a "game-key card" release.[12] Outside of Japan, the game received a digital-only release on the Nintendo eShop.[13]

On July 3, 2025, it was announced that Tamagotchi Plaza will be receiving updates that expand the story and add additional shops. The first free update is scheduled to release on July 10, and will add a short story that will take place after the end of the main campaign.[14]

Reception

In May 2025, Tamagotchi Plaza was the fourth best-selling pre-order game on Amazon Japan, selling 800 units.[26] According to Famitsu, the combined sales of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Tamagotchi Plaza were the second best selling video game in Japan on its release week.[27] In the UK, Tamagotchi Plaza performed poorly on initial release, starting at 29th place in the charts.[28]

Tamagotchi Plaza received "generally unfavorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[29] Critics praised the vivid colors and animations, but criticized the repetitive and grinding nature of the minigames, with Zubi Khan of CGMagazine calling the gameplay "charming but shallow".[30] Critics also panned the lack of in-game tutorials for the minigames, which they described as frustrating an inappropriate for the games target audience.[31][32]

Despite receiving mostly negative reviews, some reviewers praised the game for its simplicity and low-stress gameplay.[33] Josh Broadwell of Polygon praised the game for its low stakes pacing and relaxing gameplay.[34] Writing for ScreenHub, Leah J. Williams praised the return of the series' minigames and cozy presentation, as well as the modern improvements.[35]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: たまごっちのプチプチおみせっち おまちど～さま！, Hepburn: Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisetchi: Omachi Do~Sama!

References

  1. ^ Whybrow, Tatiana (2025-03-27). "Tamagotchi Is Taking On Animal Crossing & Disney Dreamlight Valley In New Game Tamagotchi Plaza". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  2. ^ Mangiaracina, Nick (2025-03-27). "Tamagotchi Plaza Announced – New Shops, Over 100 Tamagotchi, and Co-op Mode - MonsterVine". Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  3. ^ "Latest Nintendo Direct Reveals Nintendo Switch Games, Virtual Game Cards and a New Smart Device App Nintendo Today!". Business Wire. March 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Petrovich, Erik (2025-06-28). "What Is Gotchi Used For In Tamagotchi Plaza?". Game Rant. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  5. ^ Macdonald, Cheyenne (2025-03-29). "The new Tamagotchi game for Nintendo Switch will connect with Tamagotchi Uni". Engadget. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  6. ^ O'Connor, Quinton (2025-06-29). "Tamagotchi Plaza: How To Link With Tamagotchi Uni". TheGamer. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  7. ^ Knezevic, Kevin (May 2, 2025). "Every Nintendo Switch 2 Game That Supports Joy-Con Mouse Controls". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  8. ^ Williams, Leah J. (2025-03-28). "New Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop sequel announced for Switch". www.gameshub.com. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  9. ^ Yonezawa, Bruno (2025-03-27). "All Games Revealed At The Nintendo Direct (March 2025)". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  10. ^ Felton, Amber (2025-03-30). "Tamagotchi Plaza - Release Date, Platforms, Shops, & Gameplay Details". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  11. ^ "Tamagotchi Plaza is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2! | Bandai Namco Europe". en.bandainamcoent.eu. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  12. ^ Kiwami, Soul (2025-05-04). "Tamagotchi Plaza Physical Edition Will Feature English Subtitles". Final Weapon. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
  13. ^ Gaming, Mirror (2025-06-25). "Tamagotchi Plaza release time – when you can jump into the new game". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  14. ^ Kent, Bobby (2025-07-04). "Tamagotchi Plaza First Free Update Releases Next Week, Adding New Story". GameLuster. Archived from the original on 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  15. ^ Khan, Zubi. "Tamagotchi Plaza (Nintendo Switch 2) Review". cgmagonline.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-30.
  16. ^ Licandro, Marco (2025-06-30). "Recensione Tamagotchi Plaza". console-tribe.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  17. ^ Reyes, Allisandra (2025-06-27). "Tamagotchi Plaza Review | Short Lived Fun". Game8. Archived from the original on 2025-06-29. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  18. ^ Maki, Jonas (2025-07-07). "Tamagotchi Plaza".
  19. ^ Behner, Franziska (2025-06-27). "Tamagotchi Plaza - Test / Review". games.ch (in German). Archived from the original on 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  20. ^ Snaith, Kim (2025-07-02). "Tamagotchi Plaza review". GameSpew.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Sterling, James Stephanie (2025-07-02). "Tamagotchi Plaza - Slop Shop (Review)".
  22. ^ Rudek, Jordan (2025-06-28). "Tamagotchi Plaza (Switch 2) Review". NintendoWorldReport. Archived from the original on 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  23. ^ Williams, Leah J. (2025-06-26). "Tamagotchi Plaza review: stay a while, stay forever". www.screenhub.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  24. ^ Medellin, Cody (2025-07-01). "Nintendo Switch 2 Review - 'Tamagotchi Plaza'". Worth playing.
  25. ^ "Tamagotchi Plaza Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  26. ^ Iggy (2025-05-26). "52% Of Third-Party Switch 2 Physical Game Sales Are Game-Key Cards According To Amazon Japan". NintendoSoup. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  27. ^ Norman, Jim (2025-07-03). "Japanese Charts: Tamagotchi Plaza Serves Up A Staggering Debut". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  28. ^ Penwell, Chris (2025-06-30). "Death Stranding 2 Beats Mario Kart World in UK Games Sales Charts". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  29. ^ "Tamagotchi Plaza Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  30. ^ Khan, Zubi (2025-06-30). "Tamagotchi Plaza (Nintendo Switch 2) Review - CGMagazine". www.cgmagonline.com. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  31. ^ Medellin, Cody (July 1, 2025). "Nintendo Switch 2 Review - 'Tamagotchi Plaza'". WorthPlaying. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  32. ^ Rudek, Jordan (June 28, 2025). "Tamagotchi Plaza Review - Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  33. ^ "Tamagotchi Plaza Switch Review | What's It Like?". 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
  34. ^ Broadwell, Josh (2025-07-02). "Tamagotchi Plaza cured my insomnia". Polygon. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  35. ^ Williams, Leah J. (2025-06-26). "Tamagotchi Plaza review: stay a while, stay forever". www.screenhub.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
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