Tamagotchi Plaza is a mini-game-focused entry in the franchise that brings the Tamagotchi characters to life, but with clear limitations since it mainly simulates managing a shop through a series of minigames. The Switch 2 version adds three new shops with exclusive controls designed for the Joy-Con 2. Beyond that, however, there is little to no meaningful upgrade, making this a rather unexciting port.
The game is only entertaining for a couple of hours, after which the repeated minigames start to wear thin. My daughter did enjoy playing it, mostly because it features familiar Tamagotchi characters, but that is the extent of its appeal. There is not much else to do aside from managing your shop with different control options, including a mouse mode. In that sense, the game feels more like a technical showcase for the Switch 2’s motion controls than a full-fledged title.
In the game, you help rebuild the reputation of Tamahiko Town on Tamagotchi Planet. The minigames are aimed at a younger audience, so expect repetitive actions and simple tasks. Kids will probably have fun with it, but I found myself getting bored after a while. There are twelve unique shops in total, with activities ranging from running a dentist’s or an optician’s to running a sweets shop and more.
The main progression loop centers on playing these minigames to level up the plaza by spending the points you earn. Most of the upgrades are purely cosmetic and do not add much to the gameplay, though a few expanded upgrades do bring some new variety to the minigames. The problem is that unlocking these upgrades requires a fair amount of grinding, and by the time you reach them, you might already be bored with the game.
The target audience for Tamagotchi Plaza is younger players, and my daughter did enjoy the minigames for what they are. The art style is cute and immediately appealing, with Tamagotchi characters moving around the plaza. However, because the main focus is grinding through the same minigames, the progression can feel disappointing, and there are not many side activities to keep things fresh. As for the new Switch 2 shops, they mostly add simple mouse-mode minigames, where you might pass sushi to customers or throw shuriken using gestures with the Joy-Con. While these are fun for a short while, they do not do much to expand the overall experience, making the game feel rather thin in terms of content.
On the difficulty front, it is a game that is quite simple. There are no tutorials or explanations like in Mario Party at the start of the minigames, so it is a case of trial and error to find out how the controls work. Honestly, they would pass out as the mobile games that we often see with such repetitive activities, and it is fine, but only if you are a diehard fan of the Tamagotchi franchise. For others, there is not much joy in repeating these tasks.
The highlight of the game is the Tamagotchi characters you meet throughout the world. The game features some charming animations that make serving customers amusing and lively. Each character has unique quirks that add more joy and color to the world of Tamagotchi Plaza. The art style is sure to appeal to kids and younger audiences, and even as an adult, I found it fun to see these characters on screen.
In conclusion, I might not be the intended audience for Tamagotchi Plaza. If you are looking for a full-fledged experience, this game might not meet your expectations. It is a lighthearted title with limited content, and the Switch 2 upgrade is unlikely to impress everyone. However, if you just want a fun party game or something geared toward kids, this works perfectly well for that purpose.
Tamagotchi Plaza Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Hyde
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
