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(More customer reviews)I purchased one of these toys for myself recently because I was part of the Tamagotchi generation, and decided that while it was cheap, I should get one, to see if they were still any fun. Perhaps my review is a bit biased, as I am older than their "intended" audience, but I am trying to be fair.
Yesterday, I opened up my Tamagotchi PC pack, and pulled out all of the pieces. It includes the tree/microphone, an exclusive tamagotchi, four tiny plastic figurines to place on the tree/microphone for decoration, a mouspad, a CDrom with the microphones installer on it, a set of instructions in English, a set in Spanish, and the "How to Install the Software" sheet. After plugging the cord attached to the microphone into the computer, I put the disk into the tray and waited for the software to install.
I expected it to be quick, easy and done with. Instead, it had to update my Adobe Flash Player, Microsoft .NET framework, and many other things I hadn't known it was going to need. Fifteen minutes later, everything was installed, and I had to go through the voice training. And I learned quickly that the microphone is both sensitive and picky.
You must speak DIRECTLY into it for it to catch your words so it can "recognize" your voice. This part was fun, going through phrases such as, "Pick a flower," "use the bathroom," and "time to dance." After the "recognition" stage, you are free to program it to open any sort of file you want, using a phrase you choose. Entertaining for a little while, I must say, however, having to say "Hey Buddy..." before every phrase to get its attention is not. Also, there is a lag between the recognition and the opening of files, sometimes as long as three minutes. If your Tamagotchi desktop buddy doesn't understand, it'll have a question mark over its head, and ask you if you'd like to retry your phrase or give up.
I can't even count the number of times the dogs were making a ruckus yesterday and set off the microphone, causing the retry and give up screen to come up. Repeatedly. I had to turn the mic sensitivity down so every time they walked down the hall it wouldn't set it off.
Then the Tamagotchi part. The little guy is fun, except for the waiting involved. I guess perhaps for younger children it wouldn't be such a hassle, but I have to wait about half an hour before the little guy wants to eat or play or do anything! If I play one game with him, that's it for half an hour. He doesn't want anything else to do with me.
He also naps frequently. He took about a two hour nap in the afternoon, after I'd spent some time on the TamaTown interactive website. And then he went into a deep sleep that I couldn't wake him up from! His regular schedule is to sleep at 8PM and wake again at 9AM. Now, that would be fine if I went to bed at 8PM, but I don't. I wanted to play some more, and it wasn't letting me.
The TamaTown website is the best part of this toy. You log on using a code your toy randomly generates, and then you explore the town. You can visit other Tamalands, earn GotchiPoints and presents that transfer to your toy when you log off, and send your Tama to school; both Preschool and Elementary. There are twenty or so mini-games on the site, and while some of them get boring on the repeat, there are so many that you shouldn't have to worry too much.
It's worth the ten dollars I paid for it, I have to say. I just wish it was a tiny bit more fun and interactive. What am I supposed to do between half an hour game sessions?
Click Here to see more reviews about: Tamagotchi Connection V 4.5 Tamagotchi PC Accessory Pack
Now you can not only communicate with friends, but you can actually communicate with your own Tamagotchi with this PC accessory pack. The microphone allows you to activate and prompt your favorite character to do things like open a file, dictate a letter, dance, or get your email. Simply speak into the microphone and watch as your Tamagotchi comes to life. The microphone doubles as the cradle that stores your Tamagotchi, so chances are fairly good that it will never be far from you -- or easily misplaced.
If you want to have some creative fun all on your own, the included CD-ROM is chock full of activities. You can find wallpapers for your monitor, customize a desktop friend, or download fun games, three of which are voice-activates and use the microphone during play. There's also the option to create borders, posters, iron-ons, screen savers, and more -- and then print them to share with other Tamagotchi fans.
But the really fun aspect to the V4.5 Tamagotchi is that you can decide on a career path for your character. As you play games and earn skill points, you are honing the occupational direction of your character and can choose the dream job of your choice: rock star, florist, or chef. There are more than 20 new games and the skill points you accumulate for artistic, social, or intellectual merit can be used to purchase additional Gotchi items. You can also use these points to attend school and help influence the life of your character even further. Who knows? You might get lucky and receive good fortune, exciting news, or even a visit form the Tamagotchi King.
For more special items, you can find secret codes during game play or at the Tamagotchi Connection website that give your character food, toys, and other things. Some of these are rare items that you will be bragging about for days. Included with this accessory pack are five secret codes to get you started on your collection.
System Requirements
Windows XP or Windows Vista
Pentium 1.2 GHz processor (or equivalent)
512 MB RAM
100 MB free hard drive space
CD-ROM drive
74 MB video memory
Tamagotchi V4.5 has a built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery that charges via a USB port and includes one replaceable cell battery.
Click here for more information about Tamagotchi Connection V 4.5 Tamagotchi PC Accessory Pack
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