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Hatchi Review

Our Review by Oliver Haslam on January 25th, 2012
Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: RETRO
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Any gamer who remembers Tamagotchis from back in the day owes it to themselves to at least give Hatchi a whirl.

Developer: Portable Pixels
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4S

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar

Hatchi is an updated, re-imagined look at the world-famous Tamagotchi games, and anyone who either loved the originals or missed out on them really owes it to themselves to give Hatchi a try. It's gaming history in iPhone form!

Gamers are gamers, and they've probably been gamers all their lives. If that's the case then they'll no doubt have either fond memories, or rather confused ones of a gaming craze which swept the planet back in to 1990s called Tamagotchi.

Originally released in Japan and later spreading across the globe like a game-crazed virus, these little electronic toys allowed kids of all ages to keep a virtual pet, feeding it, educating it and generally trying to keep it alive. Tamagotchis were a huge success, and still are in some markets. Now the game has been updated for the 21st century courtesy of an iPhone game called Hatchi.

Hatchi is simplicity itself, preferring to go for the authentic greyscale look of the original games rather than to update the aesthetics for the new generation. I appreciated that decision, though some who don't remember the originals may find themselves wishing for a little more color in their digital pet's lives.

The aim of the game is a simple one, with gamers needing to keep their pet fed and exercised. Washing and sleeping are also factors in the pet's overall happiness, and all metrics are measured across the top of the screen via various progress bars. Feed a pet and its hunger bar increases to signify it is fed. Told you it was simple!

Gamers' Hatchi will grow over time, and the outcome will depend on the level of care it has received over time. Treat the pet well and it will grow to be easier to control and require less interaction. Do the opposite and it will need more of a gamer's time.

While none of this may sound particularly exciting, Hatchi is not a game for instant gratification. Gamers will find themselves almost bonding with their virtual pet, and that is where the game's charm lies. The more time spend with the pet, the more gamers become attached to it.

Hatchi is a little piece of gaming history on our iPhones, and for the price of $0.99 it is one well worth looking into.

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 1 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 2 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 3 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 4 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 5

iPad Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 6 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 7 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 8 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 9 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 10

Apple Watch Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 11 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 12 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 13 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 14 Hatchi - A retro virtual pet screenshot 15
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