Where to buy the Tamagotchi Original Gen 2
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“New species discovered!” — the 1997 follow-up with an all-new cast, a new game, and the debut of Mimitchi.
Deciding between the re-releases? See Gen 1 vs Gen 2 vs Connection: which Tamagotchi re-release to buy.
Gen 2 guides: Overview · Growth chart · Care & discipline · Zatchi · Which re-release to buy
What Is the Gen 2 Re-Release?
The Tamagotchi Original “Gen 2” is a reissue of the second 1996/97 model — the “New Species Discovered!! Tamagotchi,” which fans call the “P2.” It launched shortly after the first model with an entirely new set of characters and a different mini-game, and it’s where the beloved rabbit-like Mimitchi made her debut. Like the Gen 1, it returned for the 20th anniversary in 2017, rolled out globally from 2018, and stays in production with rotating shell designs.
Bandai officially describes Gen 2 as the “New Species Discovered!!” characters, and the device wears a yellow-and-blue ripple background print to set it apart from Gen 1’s checkerboard. The core nurturing is the same as Gen 1 — but as Bandai puts it, the difference is “what they eat, what game keeps them happy, and how they get back to Tamagotchi Planet.” If you’ve already raised the original six and want fresh faces, Gen 2 is your pick.
What’s Different From Gen 1 (and From the 1997 Original)
Compared with Gen 1, the Gen 2 swaps in a completely different character roster, uses a Higher or Lower number game instead of Left or Right, feeds hamburgers and cake instead of bread and candy, and shows a UFO (rather than an angel) on its goodbye screen.
Versus the 1997 original, the Gen 2 reissue carries the same modern tweaks as the Gen 1 reissue:
- Same-size replica (~2 in / 5 cm) — not a shrunken version.
- Low-battery warning screen and a single CR2032 battery.
- Louder, slightly altered sounds and smoother (but dimmer) animation.
- Stricter discipline: missed attention calls count against your adult outcome even when the meter is full.
- Snacks can be fatal in the child/teen stage if overused.
- A Gen-2-specific quirk: in the Higher/Lower game, each round now starts with a fresh number instead of carrying over the last one.
- The medicine icon is now the syringe in all regions (the original English P2 used a bottle and spoon).
The Growth Chart: Egg to Adult
Gen 2 follows the same five stages as Gen 1 with its own cast: egg → Shirobabytchi (1 hour) → Tonmarutchi (to age 3) → Tongaritchi or Hashitamatchi (to age 6) → one of six adults, headlined by Mimitchi, plus the secret Zatchi. Child-stage care picks your teen; teen-stage care and discipline mistakes pick the adult.
Every adult, the exact mistake counts, evolution times, the Gen 1 vs Gen 2 quick reference and the interactive finder: Tamagotchi Gen 2 growth chart.
How Care and Discipline Work
Identical in structure to Gen 1 — answer calls within ~15 minutes, scold tantrums, lights off at night — with hamburgers and cake instead of bread and candy, and Higher or Lower instead of Left or Right. The re-release is stricter on discipline and snacks can kill a child or teen.
What counts, the discipline system, the Higher or Lower shortcut and beginner mistakes: Gen 2 care & discipline guide.
The Secret Character: Zatchi
A sumo wrestler, reached through Zuccitchi by never disciplining — and, unlike Gen 1, you must keep caring well for the adult or the transformation never comes.
Exact route and the Gen 1 difference: How to get Zatchi.
Buying Guide: Shells, Price & Where to Find It
The Gen 2 reissue sits right alongside Gen 1 at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Bandai’s official shop, usually around $20–25. The two generations look similar on the shelf, so check the packaging: Gen 2 is labeled “Gen 2 / New Species Discovered!!” and wears the yellow-and-blue ripple print. Shell designs — including gingham, floral, and seasonal patterns — rotate frequently, so check a major retailer or the official shop for the current lineup. The device inside is the same same-size replica as Gen 1.
At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Original release | 1996/97 — the “P2,” New Species Discovered!! |
| Reissue release | 2017 (Japan) / 2018 (global), ongoing |
| Character set | New-species characters — 6 adults + 1 secret (Mimitchi debuts here) |
| Screen | Monochrome LCD |
| Mini-game | Higher or Lower (number guessing) |
| Battery | 1 × CR2032 |
| Difficulty | Classic — demanding but simple |
| Price | ~$20–25 |
| Availability | Widely available new in stores |
Want the original cast instead? See our Tamagotchi Gen 1 Re-Release Guide. For how it all started, read The Original Era (1996–1998) and the full History of Tamagotchi. And for the franchise’s newest device, explore our complete Tamagotchi Paradise guides.