SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS LIFE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2017 A7 It was like playing a Pets dental video game Did your die of neglect in the late ’90s? Now’s your chance to take another shot

By DAVID PIERSON TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Before fads such as the fidget spinner and , when the world was just getting acquainted with the Backstreet Boys and clamoring to watch “Titanic” in movie theaters, there was the CARMEN SMYTH / NEWS-PRESS Tamagotchi. Now that he is retired, Dr. William Lannan is spending more time The Japanese on a on his sailboat, a Melges 24, which has its name changed every keychain was a sensation, racking year, “depending on some amusing event.” Its moniker this year is up sales of 82 million units Alternative Facts. since its release in 1997. It was a precursor to mobile gaming, a this profession,” he said. SMILE Dr. Lannan noted that there pocket-sized electronic device Continued from Page A6 that taught legions of children to have been many advances during feed a pixelated critter and pick the more than four decades he up after its business. but survived. He blew off part was a dentist. “One of the major ones is that It was also controversial, as fads of his face, which I helped restore,” said Dr. Lannan, who is people have learned to take tend to be, having been blamed considered a pioneer in the field better care of themselves. Many for being too morbid (the pet died of microscopic dentistry and have stopped smoking, which if you didn’t feed it) and its screen was one of the few people in the guarantees tooth loss. It’s very too addictive (you had to tend to world using 3-D enhanced vision unusual to have patients who it every 15 minutes). If they only microscope technology in patient smoke now. When I started, knew. care. most of them did. There was an The company behind the gizmo “I watched what I was doing ashtray in the reception room. recently announced plans to re- on a monitor. It was like playing The first thing I did was throw it release the Tamagotchi in the a dental video game, and the away.” United States to mark the toy’s best part was that I could do it 20th anniversary (the device had while sitting, preventing back email: remained available in Japan). problems, which are common in [email protected] Buyers can begin pre-ordering the toy online before it is made available in stores nationwide Nov. 5. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE America Inc., a Inside the El Segundo headquarters of Bandai America, a variety of a 20th anniversary edition of the subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Tamagotchi, “the original virtual reality pet.” Bandai Namco Holdings Inc., hopes children of the iPhone massive resurgence. And even colors. The gameplay features the Walsh, who could have just as well generation will embrace the retro Teddy Ruxpin, the wide-eyed same colorless blob that hatches, been describing the role the $46 gadget while also banking on ’90s bear from the 1980s that will requires feeding and cleanup — billion mobile game industry plays nostalgia to drive sales. either delight or terrify you chores that, if not undertaken, are today. Like clockwork, the decade depending on where you stand penalized by death. Mr. Walsh was specializing in that gave us grunge, Tommy on animatronics, has made a “The creature isn’t particularly board games at a toy company Hilfiger jeans and the Game Boy comeback. cute, but it is demanding,” a called Patch, now called Play is cool again. It’s perhaps why “Nostalgia works in the toy highly skeptical Patricia Ward Monster, when the Tamagotchi Nintendo has quickly sold out of industry,” said Juli Lennett, a toy Biederman wrote in a column for was released. its relaunched retro consoles and industry analyst for NDP Group. the Los Angeles Times in 1997. “I remember panic among the pop star Katy Perry dangled a “Just look at Barbie and Hot “What it lacks in charm, it makes traditional game makers at the white Tamagotchi from her Prada Wheels. They appeal to kids the up for by beeping needfully every time,” Mr. Walsh said. “We thought gown at last year’s Met Gala. same way they did 30 years ago.” few minutes. It wants to be fed. It electronic games would wipe us So confident in the gadget’s To be fair, the aforementioned wants to be played with. It needs out. But we realized the two would appeal was Bandai America, the comebacks have been tweaked light. It needs medicine. It even always co-exist.” El Segundo company best known for today’s audience — and they produces digital dung that has to Indeed, the threat of technology for making Power Rangers toys, haven’t always been as successful be cleaned up.” has often been overstated in that it didn’t even conduct market as their earlier iterations. But fans say therein lies the the industry. Board games research or focus groups before Nintendo’s retro consoles come fun. Nurture is one of a handful aren’t going away. And one need AGA JOHN RUGS deciding to re-release the toy, an with a slew of preloaded games — of play patterns that transcends only look at the pandemonium executive said. but counts adults as a big market, generations that the toy industry surrounding fidget spinners to SANTA BARBARA “For many Generation X kids, not just youngsters. The newest has traditionally directed at remain bullish on simple baubles. the Tamagotchi device can be Barbies smash tired gender girls. When a nurturing toy Other hot toys of the moment, considered America’s first and roles, but they haven’t reversed appeals to both genders, as the such as L.O.L. Surprise dolls, also DOWN!DOWN! favorite digital pet,” said Tara declining revenues at Mattel. Tamagotchi did, it usually signals demonstrate that not everything CLOSINGCLOSING Badie, marketing director for There’s only one major change a hit, and then imitators. For the requires a computer chip. EVERYTHING MUST GO! Bandai America. “The enduring between the original Tamagotchi Tamagotchi, rivals included the Still, Mr. Walsh wonders if power of Tamagotchi is its clear and its reboot: the new one is 20 Giga Pet and the Nano Pet. children today, raised on apps and FINAL DAYS!!! expression that nurturing and 15 S. HOPE AVENUE percent smaller. “The Tamagotchi took kids into touch screens, will be wowed by a SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105 love never goes out of style.” The suggested retail price of a different world. They were in Tamagotchi reboot. 805-687-7995 The return of the Tamagotchi $14.99 remains about the same as that screen taking care of that “It would kind of be like getting agajohnrugssf.com - agajohnlaguna.com comes at a time when when it was first introduced (the pet. It wasn’t the keychain or the kids to watch movies from the toymakers have looked to the equivalent price of the original color of the toy they cared about. 1970s, which are edited so much past for inspiration. Nintendo today would be closer to $23 if It was the fact they could take slower,” he said. “But I’ve been C o u n t y o f S a n t a B a r b a r a miniaturized its classic NES and adjusted for inflation). it anywhere and it would still wrong before. The hardest thing SNES consoles to great applause. The egg-shaped toy comes in provide a form of escape,” said in this business is trying to predict My Little Pony has enjoyed a the same six original styles and toy inventor and toy historian Tim the fickleness of kids.”

SB trainer guides dog to title NOTICENOTICE OF VACANCY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM Santa Barbara dog trainer ultimate confirmation of my dog- Nathan Woods led Tippy, a 4- training ability,” Mr. Woods said in The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications for a position on the RETIREMENT BOARDThe Santa OF Barbara THE SANTA County BoardBARBARA of Supervisors COUNTY is EMPLOYEES’accepting applications RETIREMENT for a position SYSTEM. on the year-old border collie, to win the a statement. “It takes many years RETIREMENT BOARD OF THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. prestigious Utility Dog Excellent of practice and persistence to get Applications for this position are available online at www.countyofsb.org, at the Office of the Clerk of the Board title at a recent American Kennel a dog through all three levels, of Supervisors locatedApplications in the for County this position Administration are available Building, online at www.countyofsb.org,Fourth Floor, 105 Eastat the Anapamu Office of theStreet, Room 407, Club show at Cal State Channel Novice, Open and Utility. Often, Santa Barbara,Clerk at ofthe the Fifth Board Districtof Supervisors Supervisors located in Officethe County at Administrationthe Joseph Building,Centeno Fourth Betteravia Floor, Government Administration Building, 511 East Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria or by calling the Clerk of the Board Office at Islands in Camarillo. dogs get too old before a trainer (805) 568-2240. 105Deadline East Anapamu for the submissionStreet, Room of407, applications Santa Barbara, to theat the Clerk Fifth of District the Board Supervisors Office Officeis Friday, November Tippy is owned by Santa can get to the highest levels, so it is 17, 2017. at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 East Lakeside Barbara residents Scott and Julia somewhat of a race against time.” Parkway in Santa Maria or by calling the Clerk of the Board Office at (805) 568-2240. Deadline for Evans. Tippy is his first UDX recipient. For specific informationthe submission regarding of applications the Retirement to the Clerk Board, of the please Board Officecontact is theFriday, Clerk November of the 17,Retirement 2017. Board of the Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) He has worked with the border Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System at (805) 568-2940. ______is one of the highest obedience collie since he was 10 weeks old. For specific information regarding the Retirement Board, please contact the Clerk of the Retirement Board of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System at (805) 568-2940. titles given. In 2015, only 186 dogs Tippy is working on his next Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 105 E. Anapamu St., earned UDX titles out of nearly goal: the Obedience Master title. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 568-2240 Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 105 E. Anapamu St., 131,000 entries in AKC obedience “He’s definitely one of the most Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 568-2240 trials. motivated dogs I’ve ever worked “He’s definitely one To earn the UDX, a dog with,” Mr. Woods said. of the most motivated and handler must first earn “Everyone is capable of dogs I’ve ever worked Companion Dog, Companion Dog greatness,” he added. “It’s the with,” Santa Barbara Excellent and Utility Dog titles. same for dogs.” dog trainer Nathan 95 Then they must earn qualifying For more information, contact Woods says of Tippy, $12 SHRIMPFEST scores in both the Open B and Mr. Woods at 452-2817 or nw@nath a border collie who Lunch & Dinner Utility B classes in 10 trials on the anwoodsdogtrainer.com, or go to recently won the same day. www.nathanwoodsdogtrainer.com. prestigious Utility Dog 7 Days a Week! “I view the accomplishment Excellent title. of AKC Obedience titles as the — Dave Mason COURTESY NATHAN WOODS

PET OF THE WEEK Diego loves being a couch potato. Thursdays through Mondays. The very relaxed, miniature pinscher/ All dogs are spayed/neutered and have all Chihuahua mix is awaiting adoption at Dog current shots, a microchip and flea and tick Adoption & Welfare Group in Goleta. protection. Those who adopt a dog can consult DAWG said the 8-year-old dog would love with a DAWG trainer. someone who would let him chill but keep him on For more information, call DAWG at 681-0561 a good diet. He’s very sociable with other dogs. or go to www.sbdawg.org. To meet Diego, stop at DAWG, 5480 Overpass Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 3-7pm • All Day Sat-Sun Road, Goleta. The shelter is open noon to 5 p.m. — Dave Mason 5905 Sandspit Rd. • 805-964-7881

DAWG PHOTO www.beachside-barcafe.com