VIDEO: Miss 1997? Travel Back with the New Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App!

On this universal celebratory day of love, Bandai Co., Ltd. and its North American marketing representative Sync Beatz Entertainment are giving a special gift to Tamagotchi fans - the first-ever App based on the beloved property.

The free App, developed by Tokyo-based Namco Bandai Games Inc., provides the toy's classic game play in a contemporary format through its new Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. (Love Is Fun Everywhere) lifestyle brand. Beginning today, the App can be downloaded for Android devices throughout the U.S. and Canada and, very soon, will be available on the iOS platform for the iPhone and iPad.

The Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App, downloadable at (www.tamagotchilife.com), is an authentic recreation of the classic Tamagotchi that captured the imagination of young fans across America when it launched in 1997. The App marks the latest offering from Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., a new line of lifestyle products that embodies the spirit and qualities of that original experience and the attributes of its original fans, now active young adults. The Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Website reflects the traits of the original game play - caring, nurturing, interactive, informational and fun - all with a contemporary cultural spin and a fashion-forward, trendsetting focus.

The App offers players three distinctive Tamagotchi experiences to enjoy. The "TOY" mode replicates the 16-bit black and white character pixels and all the familiar behavior and parenting tools of the original. The "APP" mode presents an updated version with the look, spirit and playability of the classic Tamagotchi game but adds color, higher resolution and allows fans to collect the growing virtual pets with the help of an illustrated guide that's included. The more Tamagotchis a player collects, the more of the many different Tamagotchi "shells" - the egg-shaped design which houses the virtual pets - and specially designed wallpaper s/he will receive.

And there's a third game for fans to play with their pet - a "Rock, Paper, Scissors" mini-game - in which owners will quickly learn that the more their pets win, the happier they'll become.

Several additional new elements will also be featured in this new edition. The Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App seamlessly enables owners to link with Facebook friends to share their pet-raising experience. It also incorporates music into the game - during the opening sequence and at times the user is caring for his/her Tamagotchi.

With the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Website and its Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest pages having launched in early November, the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. brand is resonating strongly with fans of the popular toy, which has sold over 79 million units in 54 countries and territories during the past 16 years. Just 100 days since the brand's launch, three Tamagotchi-branded Facebook pages featuring the new lifestyle property have amassed over 130,000 Facebook "likes." Links to those pages follow: http://bit.ly/TamaFB; http://bit.ly/TamaReSetting; http://bit.ly/GotchiFacebook.

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