The Digital Monster was a virtual pet released in 1997 by
Bandai. These pets were a spin-off of the Tamagotchi, mainly for boys(as Bandai
was also the creator of the Tamagotchi, which was deemed more appropriate for
girls by some people). It spawned the Digimon franchise. It was similar to
earlier virtual pets with the distinctions of being a fighting pet that could
connect with others like it.
Gameplay
The Digimon had several functions that allowed the owner to take care of the pet. The first icon is the status. The user can check the pet's age, weight, strength, hunger, and energy stats here. If a Digimon had no energy in its energy bar, it would be unable to link up and battle.The second icon fed the Digimon. The meat increased the pet's hunger, and the vitamin increased its strength and energy. However, feeding the pet either of these would increase the Digimon's weight, affecting evolution possibilities and battle outcomes. Once the Digimon reaches the Rookie stage, it will be able to eat far more than its hunger level requires before getting full. Digimon can eat an unlimited number of vitamins.
The third icon trained the Digimon. In shadow boxing, the owner's Digimon would appear on the right, and a duplicate "shadow" would appear on the left. The owner would then push either the top or middle buttons, and the Digimon would fire an attack either upwards or downwards, respectively. The shadow Digimon would attempt to block, either upwards or downwards. It was a game of luck. If the owner's Digimon hit three out of five, it would lose one pound and its strength would increase. If it didn't make this quota, the Digimon would only lose a pound and not gain any strength.
The fourth icon was battle mode. Once activated, the owner could link up to another owner's[2] Digimon and begin a battle. The two Digimon would exchange blows three times, then one would fire a double attack; the other Digimon would fire a single attack. The one who fired the double attack on the fourth turn dodged the other Digimon's attack and was declared the winner. Whether the Digimon won or lost, it was still susceptible to acquiring an injury during battle. Battling too many times in one day could "kill" a Digimon (see Digimon Mainframe below).
The fifth Icon (the first on the bottom row) cleaned up the Digimon's droppings. Leaving droppings uncleaned for too long would cause the Digimon to become ill.
The sixth icon (second on the bottom row) toggled the light. If the Digimon fell asleep and the light was never turned off, its overall condition (an unviewable stat) would decrease, and its chances of a high-power evolution would decrease.
The seventh icon (third on the bottom row) is the medical icon. If the Digimon got sick or injured in battle, it would have to be fixed before it could battle again. The Digimon becomes angry when it receives medical treatment, implying perhaps that it received a shot.
The eighth and final icon is not manually selectable. It is the alert icon. It lights up and begins to beep if the sound is on if the Digimon poops, needs food, or falls asleep with the lights on.
Device Operation
The original Digimon has three buttons and one reset button. The buttons are located to the right of the screen. The top "A" button scrolls through the icons and options on the screens. The middle "B" button activates the selected function. The bottom "C" button cancels out whatever is on the screen. Pressing "A" and "C" simultaneously toggles the sound. The reset button could only be pressed with a pen or other sharp object.Digimon Evolution Tree
Like the animated series and video games, the Digimon evolved and changed form over time. The evolution tree was as follows:
Digimon I
·
Fresh: Botamon
·
In-Training: Koromon
·
Rookie: Agumon, Betamon..
·
Champion: Greymon, Tyrannomon, Meramon, Darkmon
(Devimon), Airdramon, Seadramon, Numemon
·
Ultimate: MetalGreymon, Mamemon, Teddymon
(Monzaemon)
Digimon II
·
Fresh: Punimon
·
In-Training: Tsunomon
·
Rookie: Gabumon, Elecmon
·
Champion: Garurumon, Kabuterimon, Angemon,
Frigimon, Birdramon, Whamon, Vegiemon
·
Ultimate: SkullGreymon, MetalMamemon, Vademon
Digimon III
·
Fresh: Poyomon
·
In-Training: Tokomon
·
Rookie: Patamon, Kunemon
·
Champion: Unimon, Centarumon, Ogremon, Bakemon,
Shellmon, Drimogemon, Sukamon
·
Ultimate: Andromon, Giromon, Etemon
Digimon IV
·
Fresh: Yuramon
·
In-Training: Tanemon
·
Rookie: Piyomon, Palmon
·
Champion: Monochromon, Kokatorimon, Leomon,
Kuwagamon, Coelamon, Mojyamon, Nanimon
·
Ultimate: Megadramon, Piximon, Digitamamon
Digimon V
·
Fresh: Zurumon
·
In-Training: Pagumon
·
Rookie: Gazimon, Gizamon
·
Champion: DarkTyrannomon, Cyclonemon,
Devidramon, Tuskmon, Flymon, Deltamon, Raremon
·
Ultimate: MetalTyranomon, Datamon, ExTyranomon
Digimon VI
·
Fresh: Pabumon
·
In-Training: Motimon
·
Rookie: Tentomon, Otamamon
·
Champion: Kabuterimon, Starmon, Tortomon,
Kuwagamon, Monochromon, KaratsukiNumemon, Gekomon
·
Ultimate: MegaKabuterimon, Tekkamon,
ShogunGekomon
The sixth version was released exclusively in Australia. Due to its rarity, it is often not included in most Virtual Pet listings. The Digimon that appeared in this version are virtually identical to those that appeared in the Pendulum I. It features the same training method that was first introduced in the original Version 1 v-pet. Battle, feeding, and all other functions are the same as all previous v-pets, and it is able to interact with all other Digimon/digivices.
Digimon Mainframe
When a Digimon's time expired, it would be sent to the Digimon Mainframe, which resembled a personal computer. The Digimon Mainframe is where all Digimon come from, and where all Digimon go. According to the stories, once they return, they remain in the same evolutionary form they were in when they left the owner, and would do battle with other Digimon whose time also expired.Digimon could expire due to extreme hunger, illness, too many battles, or old age. The Digimon Mainframe is only viewable on the American version one pets.
In the Japanese versions, when a Digimon's time expires, the screen displays a grave instead of a Digimon Mainframe.
Branching out
When Digimon became an animated series, there were several
major changes made, mostly to the Digivolution chains. When the pet was brought
to the US, elements such as the "Megalthic Mainframe" were added to
soften the concept of death (thus Digimon cannot die, but instead return to a
fictional world). Devimon was renamed Darkmon because of censorship and the
Japanese-related reference in Monzaemon's name was removed in favor of
Teddymon.
The original MetalGreymon that was obtainable in the first
pet was viral, but the character used in Digimon Adventure was made a vaccine
(vaccine being considered good type, and virus type being bad, although in
Adventure 02 they showed a virus MetalGreymon).
Though the concepts were similar between the Digimon pet
line and the Digivice toys released following the release of the animated TV
show, there were some differences. For example, the Digivices were not
"true" Tamagotchi, in that they did not need to be fed or have their
faces cleaned up. (The exception to this is the Data Link Digivice, based on
the device from Digimon Data Squad, which acts more like a traditional
Tamagotchi than the previous versions of Digivice.) Also, the Digivices
included a pedometer function that advanced the game, and did not require the level
of care of the Digimon virtual pets. In
addition, there were side quests, like locating Digieggs in the D-3 version,
and the Spirits in the D-Tector game, side quests that did not exist originally
in the original Digimon or Pendulums. These games could be left at home all day
without care and did not require the constant attention that the Tamagotchis
required during those days. However, the original Digimon pet remained battle
compatible with the newer Digivice releases, permitting them to engage in battle, though the graphical details of
the attacks are different between the two systems.
Additional Digimon v-pets
Digimon Pendulum
In 1998, Bandai released a follow-up virtual pet series known as Pendulums. The Pendulums introduced Jogress (DNA Digivolution in the US release); a pendulum-type counter, and the evolution level, Ultimate (Japan ) /Mega (Dub) , which comes after Perfect (Japan) /Ultimate (Dub). The pendulum is used to count the amount of times the device has been shaken. Five versions of the Digimon Pendulum were released, each of these being followed by a .5 version which contained a slightly-altered character lineup. A Version 0 was also later released.Digimon Pendulum I: Nature Spirits
• Fresh:
Pabumon
• In-Training:
Motimon
• Rookie:
Tentomon, Gotsumon, Otamamon
• Champion:
Kabuterimon, Tortomon, Monochromon, Starmon, Gekomon, Kuwagamon
• Ultimate:
MegaKabuterimon, Piximon, Triceramon, Jagamon, ShogunGekomon, Okuwamon
• Mega:
HerculesKabuterimon, SaberLeomon, MetalEtemon
In Digimon Pendulum 1.5, Gatomon replaced Tortomon,
Angewomon replaced Jagamon, and Magnadramon replaced HerculesKabuterimon.
Digimon Pendulum II: Deep Savers
• Fresh:
Pichimon
• In-Training:
Bukamon
• Rookie:
Gomamon, Crabmon, Syakomon
• Champion:
Ikkakumon, Dolphmon, Seadramon, Coelamon, Gesomon, Octomon
• Ultimate:
Zudomon, MegaSeadramon, MarineDevimon, Dragomon, Whamon, Scorpiomon
• Mega:
MarineAngemon, MetalSeadramon, Pukumon
In Digimon Pendulum 2.5, Ebidramon replaced Coelamon,
Divermon replaced Scorpiomon, and Plesiomon replaced MetalSeadramon.
Digimon Pendulum III: Nightmare Soldiers
• Fresh:
Mokumon
• In-Training:
DemiMeramon
• Rookie:
Candlemon, Bakumon, DemiDevimon
• Champion:
Wizardmon, Apemon, Garurumon, Devimon, Meramon, Bakemon
• Ultimate:
WereGarurumon, Mammothmon, SkullMeramon, Pumpkinmon, Myotismon, Phantomon
• Mega:
SkullMammothmon, Boltmon, Piedmon
In Digimon Pendulum 3.5, Dokugumon replaced Bakemon,
LadyDevimon replaced Myotismon, and Daemon replaced Piedmon.
Digimon Pendulum IV: Wind Guardians
• Fresh:
Nyokimon, YukimiBotamon
• In-Training:
Yokomon, Tokomon
• Rookie:
Biyomon, Floramon, Mushroomon
• Champion:
Birdramon, Togemon, Kiwimon, Woodmon, Veedramon, RedVegiemon
• Ultimate:
Garudamon, Cherrymon, Aero Veedramon, Blossomon, Deramon, Garbagemon
• Mega:
Phoenixmon, Gryphonmon, Puppetmon
In Digimon Pendulum 4.5, Palmon replaced Floramon, Lillymon
replaced Blossomon, and Rosemon replaced Gryphonmon.
Digimon Pendulum V: Metal Empire
Digimon Pendulum Progress
Pendulum Progress was the successor of the original Pendulum series. There are three in total; the Pendulum Progress is an upgrade similar to the Tamagotchi Connection. The character lineup on each is expanded and it retains the pendulum feature that became a series standard; it also has the ability to have the current monster fight a computer monster in battle as opposed to linking up with another device.Digimon Pendulum Progress I: Dragon's Roar
• Fresh:
Puttomon
• In-Training:
Cupimon
• Rookie:
Patamon, Lucemon, Impmon, Terriermon
• Champion:
Angemon, Gatomon, BlackGatomon, Devimon, Seasarmon, Witchmon,
• Ultimate:
MagnaAngemon, Antylamon, Angewomon, LadyDevimon, NeoDevimon, Bastemon
• Mega:
Seraphimon, Cherubimon, Ophanimon, Lilithmon, Beelzemon
Digimon Pendulum Progress II: Armageddon Army
• Fresh:
Puttomon
• In-Training:
Cupimon
• Rookie:
Patamon, Lucemon, Impmon, Terriermon
• Champion:
Angemon, Gatomon, BlackGatomon, Devimon, Seasarmon, Witchmon,
• Ultimate:
MagnaAngemon, Antylamon, Angewomon, LadyDevimon, NeoDevimon, Bastemon
• Mega:
Seraphimon, Cherubimon, Ophanimon, Lilithmon, Beelzemon
Digimon Pendulum Progress III: Animal Colleseum
• Fresh:
Pabumon
• In-Training:
Nyaromon
• Rookie:
Gabumon, Bearmon, Hawkmon
• Champion:
Garurumon, Grizzmon, Aquilamon, Leomon, Dobermon, Kiwimon
• Ultimate:
WereGarurumon X, Garudamon X, GrappLeomon, Cerberumon X, Mihiramon, Deramon
• Mega:
MetalGarurumon X, Baihumon, Azulongmon, Zhuqiaomon, Ebonwumon, Omnimon
Digimon Pendulum X
The Pendulum X combines the original virtual pets with the side quests of the "Digivices". The Pendulum X is the first device to use the three-prong connector. It was remade by Bandai Asia and marketed as the "D-Cyber"; this version is similar with a slightly different translation and classic two-prong connector.Version 1
- · Fresh: Dodomon· In-Training: Dorimon· Rookie: Dorumon, Agumon X· Champion: Dorugamon, Greymon X, Seadramon X, Kuwagamon X, DexDorugamon Reptiledramon· Ultimate: DoruGreymon, MetalGreymon X, MegaSeadramon X, Okuwamon X, DexDoruGreymon, Grademon· Mega: Dorugoramon, Alphamon, WarGreymon X, GigaSeadramon, GrandisKuwagamon, DexDorugoramon, Gaiomon, Omnimon X
Version 2
- · Fresh: Fufumon· In-Training: Kyokyomon· Rookie: Ryudamon, Guilmon X· Champion: GinRyumon, Growlmon X, TobuCatmon, Monochromon X, Allomon X· Ultimate: HisyaRumon, War Growlmon X, SkullBarukimon, Triceramon X, MameTyramon· Mega: OwRyumon, Gallantmon X, MedievalGallantmon, DinoTigemon, DinoRexmon, UltimateBrachiomon, UlforceVeedramon X
Version 3
- · Fresh: Pupumon· In-Training: Puroromon· Rookie: Fanbeemon, Dorumon· Champion: Waspmon, Reptiledramon, GinRyumon, Omekamon· Ultimate: CannonBeemon, Grademon, HisyaRumon, MetalPhantomon· Mega: TigerVespamon, Alphamon, Alphamon Ouryuuken Mode, Dexmon, OwRyumon, MetalPiranhmon, Dynasmon X, Magnamon X, Omnimon X, Gallantmon X
Digimon Accel
Version 1: Justice Genome
- · Fresh: Popomon· In-Training: Frimon· Rookie: Leormon, Agumon, KoKabuterimon, Biyomon, Otamamon, Patamon· Champion: Liamon, Greymon, BladeKuwagamon, Aquilamon, Pegasusmon, Coelamon, Deputymon· Ultimate: LoaderLeomon, MetalGreymon, MetallifeKuwagamon, Garudamon, MagnaAngemon, Kimeramon, Dragomon, Volcdramon· Mega: BantyoLeomon, WarGreymon, TyrantKabuterimon, Phoenixmon, MetalEtemon· Level 7: Omnimon, Chaosmon
Version 2: Evil Genome
- · Fresh: Bombmon· In-Training: Missimon· Rookie: Commandramon, Dracmon, Hagurumon, Gizamon, Penguinmon, Tentomon· Champion: Sealsdramon, Sangloupmon, Meramon, Snimon, Dobermon, Thunderbirdmon, Gekomon· Ultimate: Tankdramon, Matadormon, SkullScorpiomon, Megadramon, Zudomon, MarineDevimon, HippoGryphomon, Angewomon, Volcamon· Mega: Darkdramon, GranDracmon, Machinedramon, MarineAngemon, Seraphimon· Level 7: Gallantmon, Chaosmon
Version 3: Nature Genome
- · Fresh: Puwamon· In-Training: Pinamon· Rookie: Falcomon, Swimmon, Mushroomon, Terriermon, Gotsumon, Goblimon· Champion: Diatrymon, Ninjamon, Gatomon, Seahomon, Nohemon, Ogremon, Tyrannomon· Ultimate: Yatagaramon, Triceramon, Antylamon, Jagamon, Whamon, Garbagemon, Mamemon· Mega: Varodurumon, Spinomon, Mercurimon, Neptunmon, Rosemon· Level 7: UlforceVeedramon, Chaosmon
Version 4: Ultimate Genome
- · resh: Puffmon, Dodomon· In-Training: Kyaromon, Dorimon· Rookie: Kudamon, Dorumon, Impmon, Candlemon, Palmon· Champion: Reppamon, Dorugamon, Devidramon, Flarerizamon, Togemon, Submarimon· Ultimate: Qilinmon, DoruGreymon, Cerberumon, Piximon, Cyberdramon, Pumpkinmon, Deramon· Mega: Sleipmon, Alphamon, Beelzemon. Megidramon, MetalKabuterimon· Level 7: Chaosmon, UltimateChaosmon
Digimon Mini
The Digimon Mini is modeled similarly to the original pets but at a much smaller size. The character set has been minimized and functions are limited. For example, there is no status screen to view the Digimon's hunger. The player must simply feed it when it is hungry.The Mini also uses the three-prong connector; it is thus compatible with the Pendulum X, the Digimon Accelerator, and the Digimon iC. The third Mini updates the character roster, expanding the available Digimon from 13 to 18.
Version 1
- • Fresh: Pabumon• In-Training: Motimon• Rookie: Tentomon, Elecmon, Kunemon• Champion: Kabuterimon, Centarumon, Tyrannomon, Sukamon• Ultimate: MegaKabuterimon, WaruMonzaemon• Mega: HerculesKabuterimon• Level 7: TyrantKabuterimon
Version 2
- · Fresh: Pabumon· In-Training: Motimon· Rookie: Tentomon, Elecmon, Kunemon· Champion: Kabuterimon, Centarumon, Tyrannomon, Sukamon· Ultimate: MegaKabuterimon, WaruMonzaemon· Mega: HerculesKabuterimon· Level 7: TyrantKabuterimon
Version 3
- · Fresh: Poyomon· In-Training: Tokomon· Rookie: Patamon, DemiDevimon, Crabmon· Champion: Angemon, Devimon, Coelamon, Shellmon, Leomon, Nanimon· Ultimate: MagnaAngemon, Myotismon, Etemon· Mega: Magnadramon, Piedmon, BantyoLeomon· Level 7: Lucemon Shadow Lord Mode
- · Fresh: Botamon· In-Training: Koromon, Wanyamon, Badomon· Rookie: Agumon, Gaomon, Lalamon, Toy Agumon, Chuumon· Champion: GeoGreymon, Gaogamon, Sunflowmon, Aquilamon, Numemon· Ultimate: RiseGreymon, MachGaogamon, Lilamon, Whamon, Garbamon· Mega: ShineGreymon, MirageGaogamon, Rosemon, Seraphimon, BanchouLeomon, OuRyuumon, Demon
Digimon Twin
The Digimon Twin was the latest virtual pet to be released. It comes in an L and R version (Liberation and Revolution) and specializes with its event communication. In event communication, the possibilities are that the Digimon can eat together, train together, receive an item or make a special event egg. It is also possible to get Azulongmon, which fits on both Twins.- · Fresh:Snowbotamon· In-Training:Nyaromon· Rookie:Agumon(R), Guilmon(R), Gaomon(L), Gabumon(L), Gotsumon, Agumon Hakase(Special Event Egg)· Champion:Geogreymon(R), Growlmon(R), Gaogamon(L), Garurumon(L), Flymon, Cokatorimon, Veggiemon,· Wizarmon(Special Event Egg)· Ultimate:Rizegreymon(R), Megalogrowlmon(R), Machgaogamon(L), Weregarurumon(L), Anomalocarimon,· Piccolomon(Special Event Egg)· Mega:Shinegreymon(R), Dukemon(R), Miragegaogamon(L), Metalgarurumon(L), Pinocchimon, Minervamon(Special Event Egg), Victorygreymon(Special Event Egg R), Z'dgarurumon(Special Event Egg L)· Other:Burpmon
WonderSwan
Digital Monster Ver. WonderSwan is a Japanese handheld version of the original Digimon pet for the WonderSwan. It includes all of the original Digimon from the five different pet devices. In this game the player can have up to five different Digimon with them at a time. It even has computer controlled opponents to battle with. The game has the ability to connect to another WonderSwan through a special link cable. It can also hook up to the original pets through a Digimon "dock N rock" connector.PC
There have been many fan based PC Digimon pets released, starting with simple Tamagotchi emulators back in 1998 for example DMPC from version 0.1 to 3.0 currently as of November, 2011.Other
- This virtual pet was among the first to connect to exchange data. The term "Dock 'n Rock" was used in early American marketing. It is unknown if this term was used in Europe, but it was absent entirely in Japan. Later, the connectors would also be used to "jogress" (a combination of 'joint' and 'progress') as well as battle.
- The American and similar Bandai Asia versions of Digivices are typically an entirely different product from the Japanese counterpart. They usually register as a pet in the D-Link System.
