The Return of Tamagotchi: A Deep Dive into Tamagotchi Plaza
The Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop series has been a nostalgic cornerstone for children everywhere, especially for those who grew up with Nintendo systems. Launching originally on the DS in 2005, this beloved franchise expanded with five subsequent 3DS titles that remained exclusive to Japan. Recently, Tamagotchi Plaza emerged as a revival, filling an early niche for the Switch 2. However, upon closer examination, it seems this new installment may not fully capture the charm and excitement of its predecessors.
The Premise of Tamagotchi Plaza
In Tamagotchi Plaza, players are transported from Earth by Prince Tamahiko, who tasks them with an important mission. His village, Tamahiko Town, is in a contest to host the Tamagotchi Fest. Unfortunately, the town is in disrepair, with shops that fail to delight and serve visitors as effectively as they once did. To restore the town’s glory and bring peace to the enigmatic Gotchi King (depicted as a giant egg), players must engage in a series of minigames that help revitalize the local shops and enhance the overall town square.
Exploring the Shops
Tamagotchi Plaza boasts 15 unique shops, with five remaining locked until players significantly enhance the other shops. While having 10 shops available right from the start may seem accommodating, three of the unlocked shops blend elements from existing experiences. A point of contention lies in the accessibility of the Switch 2-exclusive Sushi and Shuriken Shops, which require purchasing a paid upgrade pack. Many players, including myself, feel that such key features should be available immediately to avoid unnecessary gatekeeping, especially since the Sushi Shop is one of the most engaging additions.
Minigames: A Mixed Bag
Although Tamagotchi Plaza is fundamentally a collection of minigames, it does not conform to conventional expectations. The Sushi Shop and Shuriken Shop use mouse controls for their respective tasks, while the other minigames, especially ones reminiscent of the DS series, do not utilize motion controls or guarantee multiplayer experiences. Many tasks seem more effective with touchscreen capabilities. For instance, in the Dentist Shop, players select tools and use the joystick and buttons to perform dental procedures, while the Manga Shop involves fulfilling specific story requests from customers without any initial guidance.
A striking issue across various minigames is the absence of tutorials and instructions. Upon visiting a shop for the first time, it “reopens, ” thrusting the player into action with little preparation. Some minigames are immediately intuitive, such as the Night Pool, where players serve guests as they request items. However, others, like the Eyewear Shop, introduce complexities without any support or guidance, leaving players to guess what characters correspond to vague descriptions.
Quality vs. Quantity: Evaluating the Minigames
The inconsistency in the quality of minigames echoes earlier critiques of the Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop series. While the Manga Shop offers an intriguing concept, it often takes an excessively long time to fulfill customer requests compared to the rewards. Meanwhile, the Night Pool falls short, offering a lackluster experience. Alternatively, the Dentist Shop retains much of the success of its predecessor, providing a satisfying gameplay loop, although the Rap Battle segment feels disappointingly brief and underdeveloped.
While players earn currency to upgrade various elements, the customization options often lack excitement and diversity. Overall, the gameplay can swing towards the tedious side, suggesting that enhancements in execution, adjustments in design, and improved motivations could contribute significantly to gameplay engagement.
The Verdict
Ultimately, Tamagotchi Plaza may not be universally appealing; however, it could provide enjoyment for younger audiences or ardent fans of Bandai Namco’s virtual pet franchise. Still, some design choices lead to awkward gameplay moments, and even with persistence, it might feel lacking in content. As for its proposition as an “early Switch 2 multiplayer collection, ” it falls short given the limited scope for multiplayer activities. While some players may find charm in its unique offerings, it largely addresses a niche audience that is likely to be more forgiving of its shortcomings.
Tamagotchi Plaza is available on the Switch and Switch 2.
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