NEW VIRTUAL REALITY PET PACKS A PUNCH
By Adnews Staff
Just when you thought all virtual reality pets would be sitting in the bottom of toy boxes everywhere, Japan-based Bandai brought a new spunky virtual reality pet to the Canadian market last week. Called DigiMon, the toy needs to be fed and nurtured by pressing buttons like other virtual pets, but it can connect to another DigiMon for a battle of the fittest. The winner gains strength from the other. The toy is available at Wal-Mart Canada, Zellers and Toys R Us stores in the Toronto area. DigiMon will be rolled out nationally early next year. Currently, the toy is being promoted using local radio, print and ethnic advertising created by J. Walter Thompson of Toronto. A national TV campaign will be launched next year. DigMon has been in the U.S. since Dec. 5. Last May, Bandai launched the Tamagotchi virtual reality pet in Canada. Since then, more than one million of them have been sold across the country. Forty million Tamagotchis have been sold worldwide. Other Bandai toy lines include Big Bad Beetle Borgs, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Dragon Ball Z.