thumb|260px|alt=text|Four Tamagotchi Connection toys

The Tamagotchi Connection, marketed as Tamagotchi Connexion outside the Americas and as Tamagotchi Plus in Japan, is a virtual pet in the Tamagotchi line of digital toys from Bandai. First released in 2004, 8 years after the first Tamagotchi toy, they were notable for their wireless networking feature: using the device's infrared port, the virtual pet can make friends with other Tamagotchis, in addition to playing games, giving and receiving presents and having a baby. In May 2024, Bandai announced a relaunch of the Tamagotchi Connection to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary. They were officially released in July 2024.

Versions 1 to 4 of Tamagotchi Connection have 6 levels of friendship that can be viewed in the Friends List:

  • Acquaintance (one smiley-face)
  • Buddy (two smiley-faces)
  • Friend (three smiley-faces)
  • Good friend (four smiley-faces)
  • Best friend (two love-hearts, two smiley-faces, during connection they may kiss)
  • Partner (four love-hearts, during connection they will kiss and may have babies)

Versions 5 and 6 have different levels.

If the Tamagotchi cannot find a partner from another device to have babies with, a matchmaker will come, allowing the Tamagotchi to have a baby with a computer-controlled Tamagotchi character. This applies to versions 1 to 4 and 6 only. Version 5 introduces a Dating Show game in which the user must play to gain a CPU partner.

Versions

All Tamagotchi Connection devices are capable of connecting with each other; however, a character from a newer Version will show on an older version as the mystery character known as Nazotchi.

Tamagotchi Connection v2 (2005)

The Tamagotchi Connection v2 introduces "Gotchi Points", an in-game currency used to buy shop items. Also, more games are unlocked as the Tamagotchi ages. It has six stages of life:

  • Egg - This only occurs once the device has been reset, either by pressing the reset button on the rear of the device or by installing a new battery. Once the clock has been set, it will hatch in one minute.
  • Baby - The baby unlocks the game Jump.
  • Child - The child unlocks the game Bump.
  • Teenager - The teenager unlocks the games Flag and Heading.
  • Adult - The adult unlocks the game Slot.
  • Senior. The senior can only be unlocked if the Tamagotchi stays unmarried for a certain number of days. This applies to all versions.

Tamagotchi Connection v3 (2006)

Aside from different games, The Tamagotchi Connection v3 makes few changes in comparison to the v2. Like the v2, the older the Tamagotchi gets, the more games it has access to; further, there are still six stages of life.

  • Egg - Like the v2, the egg is the first stage and occurs when the device has been reset. When the clock has been set, the egg will hatch in one minute.
  • Baby - The baby unlocks the game Get Music.
  • Child. The child unlocks the game Bump.
  • Teenager. The teenager unlocks the games Flag and Heading.
  • Adult. The adult unlocks the games Memory and Sprint.
  • Senior. Like on the v2, the Senior can only be unlocked if the Tamagotchi stays unmarried for a certain number of days.

Other differences from the v2 include:

  • There is no 'Treat' option in the food.
  • There are new 'Password' and 'Souvenir' options.
  • When you are connecting with another v3, visiting is a new option.
  • There are new 'Point' and 'Family' options in the friendbook.

Tamagotchi Connection v4 Jinsei (2007)

As in previous versions, Tamagotchis play games for a certain number of "Gotchi Points" and unlock more games as it ages.

  • Egg - This only occurs when the device has been reset. Once the clock has been set, it will hatch in one minute.
  • Baby - The baby unlocks the game Jumping Rope.
  • Child - The child unlocks the game Mimic.
  • Teenager - The teenager unlocks the games Shape, Dance and Flag.
  • Adult - As an adult, the Tamagotchi can get a job which unlocks various mini-games, depending on what job the player chooses for the Tamagotchi.
  • Senior - Much like previous versions, the Senior life stage can only be achieved if the Tamagotchi stays unmarried for a certain number of days.

The Tamagotchi Connection makes additional changes to gameplay instead of simply changing the games and other minor details. For example, the child and teenager can go to school and play mini-games, where an adult can get a job. Also, the "Lamp" menu item (allows the user to turn the "light" on or off) is no longer present. Instead, it is replaced with a "Mail" menu item where the player can check for any mail they will occasionally receive.

New to the Tamagotchi Connection with the v4 is the ability for a child or teenager Tamagotchi to go to school and an adult to go to work.