The nostalgic toy making a Christmas comeback and every millennial will want one

RETRO toys are set to have a serious moment this festive season and the latest comeback is one for kidults – or millennials.

If you were a kid in the late 80s or early 90s, chances are you played with one nostalgic toy more than any other – the iconic tamagotchi.

Following their launch in 1996, the handheld digital pets became a huge phenomenon worldwide, with an estimated 94million units sold, according to the brand’s website.

Most Tamagotchi are housed in a small egg-shaped handheld video game with an interface consisting of three buttons, with the goal of raising the pet as it goes through different life stages.

They were once a huge part of our daily lives – and now millennials can rejoice, as the iconic toy has returned just in time for Christmas.

Introducing: The Care Bears Digital Pet from Thumbs Up!

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Blending 80s charm with modern play, these pocket-sized pets bring the iconic Care Bears to life through expressive pixel animations, mini-games, and daily care moments that teach empathy and emotional awareness.

Available now on ThumbsUp.com for just £20, they make an adorable stocking filler for kids – or the grown-ups who still have a soft spot for Grumpy Bear.

This time, the legendary toy lives on your keyring, which means you can take it everywhere.

The new Care Bears Digital Pet from Thumbs Up! revives the retro magic of Tamagotchi-style play with a modern message of care and empathy.

Each mini device features a classic Care Bear character, including Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, Funshine Bear, Good Luck Bear, and Share Bear, brought to life with expressive pixel animations and simple daily care.

Players can feed, clean, and comfort their bear, while mini-games encourage emotional awareness and connection.

Whether you grew up watching Care Bears or you’re introducing them to your kids, this collectible keyring makes a perfect pocket-sized Christmas gift for anyone who believes sharing and caring never go out of style.

Key features include:

• Care & Nurture: Feed, clean, and comfort your Care Bear to keep them happy.
• Mini-Games: Simple, nostalgic fun with a mindful twist.
• Retro Pixel Screen: Charming animations that show every Care Bear emotion.
• Emotional Learning: Encourages empathy through responsive play.
• Collectible Format: Available in five fan-favourite characters.

The original Tamagotchi, released locally in Japan 1996 and worldwide in 1997, quickly became a major toy fad for a period of time.

According to Bandai, brand behind the iconic toy, the name is a combination of two Japanese words tamago, which means “egg”, and uotchi which stands for ”watch“.

The characters are colourful creatures with simple designs based on animals, objects, or people.

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When releasing the Tamagotchi in Japan, Bandai initially marketed them exclusively to teenage girls – but its popularity soon expanded beyond.

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