<P> Giga Pets were created and released to compete with Tamagotchis, egg - shaped virtual pets that were introduced in Japan in 1996 by Bandai and are widely credited with initiating the virtual pet craze in the U.S., the UK, and other countries . In the U.S., Giga Pets were reported to be more readily available than Tamagotchis and at price of approximately $10 USD, roughly $5 less than the suggest retail price for their Japanese counterpart . By the end of 1997, Tiger Electronics, a then privately held electronics toy and game - maker based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, was one of many manufacturers creating virtual pets . Others included Fujitsu, PF Magic, Sega, Viacom New Media, Casio, and Technosphere . </P> <P> Roger Shiffman, a Chicago native and co-founder of Tiger Electronics, is credited as being the driving force behind Giga Pets and Furby, a furry interactive pet with big eyes and pointed ears that could talk, shuffle and sneeze . Intended to be a follow up to Giga Pets, Shiffman included Furby in the deal he made with Hasbro when Tiger Electronics was sold to the giant toy manufacturer in 1998 for $335 million USD . Approximately 20 million Furbies were sold in the first 6 months following its 1998 release . </P> <P> Giga Pets Explorer TV Plug n Play Game was launched in the spring of 2006 along with new versions of Giga Pets handheld devices . The TV game came with three pets within the unit and one separate handheld unit (the hamster) and sold for approximately $40 USD . Handhelds were sold in a 12 - package assortment of characters as well as individually . The characters Pixie, Tomcat, Puff Ball, Dragon Lizard, Scorpion and Bunny were all available individually at a suggested retail price of approximately $15 USD . </P> <P> Giga Pets, along with other virtual pets, were banned in some schools in different countries around the world including Iceland, Thailand, the U.S. and Canada primarily because they were deemed a distraction in the classroom . Common complaints included annoying beeping sounds and children's constant worry over their pets' well - being . Some parents felt Giga Pets were an ideal learning toy that taught children responsibility . Others worried their kids were becoming too attached . </P>

What is the difference between a tamagotchi and a giga pet