Diving into Digimon V-PETS
- billiamthies
- Apr 19
- 5 min read
Updated: May 13
It actually started as a spin-off of the Tamagotchi, the iconic virtual pet known for being cute, stressful, and needy. But instead of just raising a blob that poops and dies, Digimon had something cooler: monsters that evolve, battle, and sometimes become horrifying. From the original V-Pets, to Japanese exclusives, the anime’s Digivices, and more recently the Vital Bracelet, my life has been consumed by raising Digital Monsters.
Original Digimon V-Pet (1997-1998)
Released in September 1997 at $14.99, the original Digimon V-Pet looked like a cracked brick with a cage around the screen, in contrast to Tamagotchi's smooth egg, because these aren't delicate little pets, they are beasts that need to be contained.
Unlike Tamagotchi, Digimon could connect and fight. The U.S. got one version, but Japan saw five major releases, each adding 14 new monsters. The 20th Anniversary model from 2017 combines all five rosters with bonus eggs (highly recommended).
Each Digimon lives less than a week, going through up to five or six life stages depending on the version. Evolution isn’t guaranteed—you’ll need to manage food, training, sleep, weight, and... sometimes even intentional neglect. Raise it well and you might get Greymon. Screw up? Your Digimon might die or worse, turn ugly… like Numemon.
You can experiment or follow guides like the Digitama Hatchery. Even ugly Digimon can redeem themselves. I never cared for Etemon...until I saw him grooving in 16x16 pixels, but somehow, his charm is 4k.
Pendulum Series (1998–2000)
This Japan-exclusive originally sold for 1,799 yen. The Digimon Pendulum introduced six versions with different environmental themes. It dropped the cage look for a sleek, high-tech design.
The Pendulum introduced the sixth evolution stage: MEGA Digimon like SaberLeomon and HerculesKabuterimon, accessible through fusing two Ultimates. It also added a pendulum sensor for shake-based training and a rock-paper-scissors battle system with three types: Virus beats Data, Data beats Vaccine, Vaccine beats Virus.
Digimon X (2018-2021)
In 2021, U.S. fans finally got a widely available new-gen V-Pet: the Digimon X, for $19.99. It borrows from 2003’s Pendulum X, featuring the XAI dice roll and a timing-based mini-game for battles. Best upgrade? You can freeze your Digimon, so it won’t die while you’re busy with real life.
Story-wise, Yggdrasil (basically Digimon God) launched the X Program to delete excess data, killing off weaker Digimon. Those who survived developed the X-Antibody and evolved into radical new forms.
Honestly, it’s one of the best Digimon toys we’ve ever gotten.
Digivice (1999)
The OG anime Digivice from Digimon Adventure gives me that imaginative nostalgic rush. Released in 1999 for $12.99, this isn’t a pet sim, it’s a pedometer. No poop, no death. Just walk and fight. You mash buttons to win fights and evolve your partner after 10 and then 15 victories. Select from one of seven Digimon from the original series, unlocking the rest as you go.
That said, mine randomly reset and wiped all my progress after evolving for the first time... thats what I get for playing with an old toy.
25th Anniversary Color Digivice (2024)
This $95 premium model is a spruced-up version of the original anime Digivice. It adds a color screen, backgrounds from the show, voice lines, and animated character cutscenes. Battles are a little more involved than the original, rotating challenges like shaking, mashing buttons, and button combos.
It’s goofy, fun, albeit a little overpriced, but I love it.
D3 Digivice (2000)
From the anime Digimon Adventure 02, the D3 retailed for $12.99–$14.99. Each color model came with two starting Digimon, like Veemon and Wormmon.
This toy is also a pedometer, but the D3 stands for Digimon, Detect, Discover. It adds Armor Digivolution, which can be accessed through collecting Digieggs, which can be collected via walking (to earn DP). The antenna will detect electrical signals (through something as small as a cable adapter), and allow you to catch EGG FRAGMENTS. Get three fragments, unlock a full egg. There are 10 total, some never seen in the show, such as Saggitariusmon and good old Honeybeemon.
D-Ark / D-Power (2001)
The D-Ark (called D-Power in the U.S.) came out during Digimon Tamers and retailed for about €14.99 (or $29.99–$39.99 with a PC game in the U.S.). Its big gimmick is card slashing, just like the anime.
Swipe a card and your Digimon gets an item or power-up... well, if the swipe works. Mine rarely registered anything but “normal.” Still, you get to choose from Guilmon, Renamon, or Terriermon and walk a map-based journey with boss fights.
Lose battles and you lose 500 steps from your total count. Lose enough steps, and yeah, you’ll probably launch the thing across the room.
D-Tector (2002)
From Digimon Frontier, the D-Tector dropped pedometers and brought in barcodes. In Japan, it worked like the Scannerz toy—just scan barcodes to find and battle Digimon. U.S. models integrated with a card game and code system.
I cheated by printing a master list of barcodes online. It kind of defeats the purpose, but now I have every Digimon. Feels good, not gonna lie.
Vital Bracelet / Vital Hero (2018–2024)
The newest evolution of Digimon V-Pets is the Vital Bracelet (called Vital Hero in the U.S.), launched in 2018 for $69.99 but can now be found for under $20. It blends smartwatch tech with, combining a pedometer, heart-rate sensor, and modular Digimon DIM Cards.
Between The Vital Hero and its improved successor, the VITAL BE, there were 34 Digimon Dim cards released along with Dim Cards featuring other brands such as My Hero Academia (Japan) and Batman (US).
Mechanically, its sort of a cross between the Digivice and the Vpet. You don’t need to worry about poop or death from neglect, but your Digimon still has branching evolution based on how you train. Daily missions include steps, exercises, and fitness goals. Your heart rate affects training quality.
Each DIM Card contains a walk-based “adventure” mode with increasingly tough boss fights. There used to be more features, via the app, but support for it has discontinued, making online battles and downloadable special missions inaccessible.
One catch: if the watch can’t detect your heart rate, your Digimon dies. Yes, if you die, your Digimon dies. So remember to put them to sleep when you take it off.
Thanks for sticking with me through decades of Digivices, heartbreaks, barcodes, and buff pixel monsters.
If you’re still curious, I’ve got a full deep dive video on my YouTube channel, and you can also check my references and sources linked in the description to learn even more.
References:
Vpet Guides:
DIGIVICE GUIDES:
DIGIMON’S DEVELOPMENT AND STORY:
Digimon Artbook Scans via WithTheWillForum