Digimon Virtual Pets in the 90s: How They Worked
Bandai's Digimon virtual pet, released in Japan on June 26, 1997 and in North America that December, took the same basic virtual-pet idea as Tamagotchi and added battling.
Device origins
The original Digital Monster device was created by WiZ and Bandai, and sold roughly 14 million units worldwide by March 2004, the large majority of those in Japan.
Try a reissued original Digivice
A modern reissue of the original 1997 Digimon Digivice, discussed above.
Check price on Amazon →Raising and battling
Unlike Tamagotchi, a Digimon needed to battle another Digimon device to evolve, built around an infrared or contact link between two units rather than being a purely solo experience.
Version distinctions
In 1998, Bandai released a follow-up line called the Digimon Pendulum, adding higher evolution stages and a "Jogress" combination feature the original device didn't have, across five numbered versions (Nature Spirit, Deep Savers, Nightmare Soldier, Wind Guardian, and Metal Empire).
Later devices
When the original Digital Monster reached the US, some content was softened for a younger audience, including renaming certain characters, changes that were never carried into the wider Digimon franchise afterward.
Frequently asked questions
How is Digimon different from Tamagotchi?
The core Digimon device requires battling another Digimon unit to evolve, built around a link between two devices, rather than being a purely solo care experience like Tamagotchi.
What was the Digimon Pendulum?
A 1998 follow-up line of five numbered versions that added higher evolution stages and a "Jogress" combination feature the original 1997 device didn't have.
Did the US version of Digimon change anything from Japan?
Yes. Some content was softened for a younger audience when it launched in the US in December 1997, including renaming certain characters, though those specific changes weren't carried into the wider franchise afterward.
Sourcing and corrections
Release dates and version details for the Digimon virtual pet were checked via web search against sources including Wikipedia in September 2026.