Gadget-based Virtual pets

Virtual pets such as Tamagotchi and Giga Pets, are sold on a self-contained, palm-sized computer. In the case of the Tamagotchi, a small screen has an image of the pet, while buttons on the case let the user perform different tasks, such as feeding, playing with, or washing the pet. Dissatisfied pets can emit beeps and sometimes "die".

Digimon was originally sold on a gadget similar to Tamagotchi's, but connected to other Digimon gadgets in order for the pets to fight. Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 for the Sega Dreamcast had virtual pets, called Chao, which could be either used in game or transferred to the Visual Memory Unit, which enabled a transformation from game-based to gadget-based.