I don't own a Tamagotchi myself. These days you can only find a Tamagotchi on the black market. There it's sold at 10 times the regular price of $16.
Why is a Tamagotchi such a big deal? To some it may only seem like a stupid game especially made for mentally retarded people. This is not a racist remark, Tamagotchies are sold in the United States too (but not in Norway because we're smarter than everyone else). To those of you who think Tamagotchies are that stupid; You're absolutely right.
But as mentioned, unfortunately not enough Tamagotchies are produced. And this has led to a spate of Tamagotchi related crimes from schoolkids stealing these "virtual pets" from each other to hijacked shipments and other more serious offenses. In Tokyo this month there were at least three reports of middle-aged men using them to bait schoolgirls. In February a high-schooler cited Tamagotchi as the reason he allegedly lifted $1,150 from the bag of a 77-year-old Kyoto resident.
If stealing money from old people should scare you off, buy a Gameboy.
