Virtual pet Tamagotchi on mobile phones

Mobile phone users in Europe are going to have a chance soon to raise their own virtual Tamagotchi pets.

Bandai Networks Co. of Japan, its subsidiary Bandai S.A. in France and Living Mobile GmbH, a German branch of the Walt Disney Internet Group, announced Monday that they plan to develop the Tamagotchi game for European mobile-phone users and marketing would begin this month.

First released by Bandai Co. in 1996, the original game sold 40 mln units, spreading rapidly first among Japanese consumers as a palm-sized gadget with a liquid crystal display screen.

Owners pressed buttons to feed their virtual pet, play with it and provide medication to Tamagotchi, which would develop according to how much care it was given. If neglected, it would die.

The pet starts off as a tiny egg and develops through stages from a baby and child to teenager and adult.

The upgraded version, which can be played on mobile phones, goes on sale this month with new features such as colour animation rather than the original black-and-white version. (dpa)