The latest Tamagotchi has arrived, so I thought I would take it apart and see what’s inside.
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/box.png)
A lot looks the same. The board has the same IR transmitter and receiver and SRAM as the previous version. There are a few more transistor/diode ICs and no visible debug pads.
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/board.jpg)
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/expoxy-rotated.jpg)
Unfortunately, the microcontroller is still covered in epoxy. I tried to scrape it off (with heat) and dissolve it with acetone, neither of which worked.
A cool new feature of the Tamago is that you can put plastic characters on top to unlock certain games.
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tama.jpg)
The contacts look like the contacts of a smartcard reader, but the tiny PCB inside the character is quite simple.
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/contacts-rotated.jpg)
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tiny.jpg)
Using a multimeter, this appeared to act as just a jumper (although the copper makes it seem as if it is more complex). Definitely an area to look into
![](https://natashenka.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/hearts.jpg)
And the contacts on the other side are shaped like hearts. How can you not like that?