Power Up – a game collection blog

Gyaoppi Bird (Virtual Pet)

This is a virtual pet of a bird by Gyaoppi. Several versions of this have come out, with different shells or part of Gyaoppi multipets. I’ve also seen this one as a Digit Midget Chuppi. I didn’t really have a good bird one yet, or a Gyaoppi, so when I saw this one for cheap online I had to have him.

Tomy Water Cuties (Analogue)

Release Date:
1989

Developer:
Tomy

I used to love these type of water games as a kid and the Tomy ones are some of the cutest and well polished ones I’ve seen. The Water Cuties ones come with a character that moves as you press the button, giving it a little bit extra. I love all forms of play, so I wanted to have at least one of these in my collection.

Tomy Water Wonderland (Analogue)

Release Date:
1989

Developer:
Tomy

I used to love these type of water games as a kid and the Tomy ones are some of the cutest and well polished ones I’ve seen. The Water Wonderland ones are some of the biggest and most detailed ones. I love all forms of play, so I wanted to have at least one of these in my collection.

R2-D2 Star Wars Giga Pets (Virtual Pet)

Release Date:
1998

Developer:
Tiger Electronics

Besides Tamagotchi, Giga Pets were the big name back then when it came to virtual pets. They were slightly cheaper than Tamagotchi, and had more involved programming. They quickly got licensed characters as well. As someone who loves small pixel things and pets, as well the involved IPs, I had to have them.

Baby T-Rex The Lost World: Jurassic Park Giga Pets (Virtual Pet)

Release Date:
Summer 1997

Developer:
Tiger Electronics

Nekotcha (Virtual Pet)

This is a virtual pet of a cat. Sometimes I find a cheap virtual pet secondhand and take a chance. I do like some odd ones.

Pac-man Tamagotchi (Virtual Pet)

Release Date:
March 15, 2020

Developer:
Bandai

The Pac-Man Tamagotchi (パックマンたまごっち) is a variant of the Tamagotchi Nano. Part of the celebration of Pac-Man’s 40th anniversary, Tamagotchi and Bandai Namco’s Pac-man did this collaboration. As someone who loves video games, and therefor Pac-man, and Tamagotchi, I was eager to try this one.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2 – Grimoire of the Rift (DS)

The game Final Fantasy Tactics A2 - Grimoire of the Rift

Platform: Nintendo DS

Release Date:
JPN: October 25, 2007
NA: June 24, 2008
PAL: June 27, 2008

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Genre: Strategy RPG

Saves: 2 separate save slots

Final Fantasy is a great series, but the spinoff Final Fantasy Tactics is just as good. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance was the first one I played and loved, so I couldn’t wait to play its sequel Final Fantasy Tactics A2 – Grimoire of the Rift.

Drawn to Life (DS)

Platform: Nintendo DS

Release Date:
NA: September 10, 2007
AU: September 20, 2007
EU: September 21, 2007
KOR: January 15, 2008
JPN: December 04, 2008

Publisher: THQ

Developer: 5th Cell

Genre: Action Adventure Platformer

Saves: 3 separate save slots

This game always looked a bit childish and too cartoony for my taste. Drawing your own game objects also seemed gimmicky. But eventually I picked this game up for cheap and gave it a try. And I was pleasantly surprised! While I was expecting a side scrolling platformer where you draw your own game objects, I also found a top down, pseudo RPG town building aspect in the game, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The pixel art in the game is also surprisingly great with funny characters.

Virtual Mickey (Virtual Pet)

Developer:
Playworks International / VGS Virtual Game System

Barcode:
6 2380200143 5

Virtual Mickey, also known as Cyber Mickey, is a virtual pet of Mickey Mouse. Unlike other virtual pets, the goal isn’t to raise him, but to become his best friend. As someone who loves Tamagotchi and Disney, it was a no-brainer I bought this one with my saved up money as a kid.