The heyday of Tamagotchi virtual pets seems like so long ago, and while, like all fads, they've lost their ubiquitous status, but they've evolved over the years and, even though under the radar, have continued on and added new features.

Even though the screen is larger than previous models, the Tamagotchi Connection V5 remains true to its rots with a simple low-resolution black and white lcd screen. While this may turn off those used to the hyper-realism of the latest video game consoles or even the color graphics of current handhelds, this simplicity preserves battery life for a device that's always on. The simple design of the device betrays the variety of its features. These buttons: Select (or scroll), Execute (choose), and Cancel control everything on the device. While only being able to scroll in one direction can be frustrating, the choice to keep the buttons to a minimum makes sense. The device also includes a keychain for clipping to backpacks or belt loops, but a carabineer clip would've been more practical for kids.

If you're familiar with previous versions of the Tamagotchi family, the biggest new features here include a new website and the ability to raise Tamagotchi families with multiple generations.

You begin with 3 little friends to care for and watch as they hatch from their eggs. They begin as babies and grow to children, teens, and adults, then eventually parents. The device offers a small selection of activities, but note that this is not a handheld videogame device in the usual sense. You won't spend hours at a time playing this. Only 2 minigames are available at start with 2 more unlockable when your critters become parents, but it's a device that requires coming back to it again and again. The minigames are very basic matching or recognition games, not a big surprise for a 3-button device, but they get old fairly quickly. My 10-year-old expressed the same sentiment. That said, when you want to earn a few gotchis to buy some new toys or souvenirs, you can earn it fairly quickly here.

A display screen shows the hunger and happiness levels of your critters collectively (you don't get separate stats, and caring for one cares for all), as well as information about your family and the amount of money ("gotchis") you've earned playing minigames.

Your little friends will need you to care for them, providing food (chef icon), cleaning (toilet icon), and medicine. On the website, you can also purchase items for them to play with, and unlike previous versions, the V5 allows you to keep an item after playing with it.

The V5 also has IR capability, so your critters can play with your friends' critters, and once they get to know each other, they can even get married and have baby Tamagotchis. (As the family grows, some will leave to make room for more, but you can reminisce about them in your memory album.) If you don't know anyone with another toy, you can play "The Dating Show" to find a suitable spouse. That brings us to the TV.

Pets love TV, and these are no different. The Tamagotchi TV has three channels: the Shopping Channel, Dating Show, and Travel Show. At the Shopping Channel, you can buy toys for your pets to play with, particularly useful if you can't take your pet online with a computer (Anything with a browser that supports flash--sorry, no iPhone support, so you can't hand your iPhone or iTouch off to your kid while away to keep them occupied. They'll just have to stick with the V5 itself.). The Dating Show, as mentioned above, gives your adult pet (it won't let those younger than adult play) the chance to find a mate and continue the survival of the digital species, so to speak. The Travel Channel is actually a pause screen that displays a travel-themed screensaver. While paused, the Tamagotchis don't age, but they don't need care, either.

If you don't care for your family properly, they can change or even leave, but you can also start over if need be. But if you do care for them and train them, the family bond will grow, allowing for additional activities.

TamaTown.com

You don't need an IR connection to use the computer aspect of the V5. By choosing the IR option, then PC, it'll give you a code. Leave that onscreen as you go to the online world at tamatown.com (or bookmark Tama & Earth Expo). There, you get a Tamagotchi's version of earth with a collection of minigames, slideshows, and places to shop. Some parts can be explored without a code, but once it asks for a code, you'll need to enter the code displayed on your V5. Sadly, you'll have to log out after each activity to update your V5. To do so, it gives you a code, which you enter (rather tediously) on your V5. A simple cookie system would encourage a lot more online play, but one nice aspect of this virtual world: no ads except, "Click here if you don't have a V5 yet." Minigames are fairly standard fare with Tamagotchi characters and art. My 10-year-old got pretty frustrated with some of them, though, and I found my 2 GHz iBook had trouble with some of the games, but she also enjoyed the games she could handle.

My 6-year-old tried this out, but it was too difficult for her to figure out, especially the minigames, and my 10-year-old got bored with it by itself. The online world, though, gives a lot more variety of minigames and renewed interest. Before trying the online aspects, she considered the toy itself not worth buying, but after seeing the online world, she changed her mind and decided it was worthwhile.

If your 8+-year-old will be able to use the online world along with the V5 and expresses some interest, it may be a worthwhile purchase/gift, but I wouldn't recommend it without broadband access.