@thereel.guy on Instagram: "In the mid-1990s, Tamagotchi exploded onto the scene as the handheld digital pet that lived—and often died—in your pocket, creating one of the biggest toy fads of the decade. ⸻ 1. What It Was • Virtual Pet Device: • Released by Bandai in 1996 (Japan) and 1997 (worldwide), Tamagotchi was a keychain-sized device with three buttons and a monochrome screen where players raised a virtual alien creature from egg to adult. • Real-Time Simulation: • The pet needed regular fee