Screen Resolution

Hi all, I'm currently doing a programming course, and I've decided to attempt a tamagotchi-inspired virtual pet as my final project. The basic operation is coming along nicely - meters that decrease over time, evolving, sickness and dying. I've just been putting off my actual graphics because I can't decide a screen resolution lol!

It doesn't help that I've not had a tamagotchi in the better part of 2 decades! I went to ebay to see if anyone was selling an old tamagotchi only to find they're really expensive now and swimming in fakes, So I've been on google images and youtube, counting pixels from photos (lol). It seems there are quite a few different versions! I've counted from 32X16 pixels to 48X32, with some knock offs, like the dinosaur I had back in the day being 20X16 pixels.

Obviously I'm inclined towards the larger resolution as that means I can make more detailed sprites and a bit more room on mini-games, but I thought I'd ask the experts here if you feel that ruins the look of the original tama's? Or do you like the higher resolution on later models (highest one I counted was on a tamagotchi friends unit). It's just an educational project - I'm not making it into anything anyone other than course people will likely see, just wanted to get the experts opinions

pominaus said:

Hi all, I'm currently doing a programming course, and I've decided to attempt a tamagotchi-inspired virtual pet as my final project. The basic operation is coming along nicely - meters that decrease over time, evolving, sickness and dying. I've just been putting off my actual graphics because I can't decide a screen resolution lol!

It doesn't help that I've not had a tamagotchi in the better part of 2 decades! I went to ebay to see if anyone was selling an old tamagotchi only to find they're really expensive now and swimming in fakes, So I've been on google images and youtube, counting pixels from photos (lol). It seems there are quite a few different versions! I've counted from 32X16 pixels to 48X32, with some knock offs, like the dinosaur I had back in the day being 20X16 pixels.

Obviously I'm inclined towards the larger resolution as that means I can make more detailed sprites and a bit more room on mini-games, but I thought I'd ask the experts here if you feel that ruins the look of the original tama's? Or do you like the higher resolution on later models (highest one I counted was on a tamagotchi friends unit). It's just an educational project - I'm not making it into anything anyone other than course people will likely see, just wanted to get the experts opinions

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Well haha I doubt any of us are really "experts" but we are HUGE fans of the tamagotchi franchise. Honestly, in my opinion, I have a large collection and love all of my virtual pets. Each one has its own unique and special features and depending on what the animation requires, that pretty much determines the resolution of said pet. So for me i would say that you make it according to what animations you would like to follow! It won't take away the authenticity of it or originality as long as you just make it "look" sort've like the old retro 90s tamagotchi animations! I also think that the Tanagotchi Connection V3s are a great representative for how the retro style should look. Not sure about the V3s resolution though but i've always thought of that one as one of the most classics and popular ones in the USA. So ya, honestly, just do whatever will work best for your project! :mimitchi:

ammonride said:

Well haha I doubt any of us are really "experts" but we are HUGE fans of the tamagotchi franchise. Honestly, in my opinion, I have a large collection and love all of my virtual pets. Each one has its own unique and special features and depending on what the animation requires, that pretty much determines the resolution of said pet. So for me i would say that you make it according to what animations you would like to follow! It won't take away the authenticity of it or originality as long as you just make it "look" sort've like the old retro 90s tamagotchi animations! I also think that the Tanagotchi Connection V3s are a great representative for how the retro style should look. Not sure about the V3s resolution though but i've always thought of that one as one of the most classics and popular ones in the USA. So ya, honestly, just do whatever will work best for your project! :mimitchi:

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Thanks for the fast reply! I see what you mean about the retro look and good balance on the V3! By my guestimate from photo's (assuming each row is either a nibble or byte multiple) is that it's 32X32 pixels, and the family is 48X32, with the connection having the equal border going all around. Haha, that hasn't made it easier at all! Now I'm really conflicted between those two sizes - I like the look of the tamagotchi in the 32x32, with the icons all around it, but the 48 pixel width does give me some more ideas for minigames :/ I think I'll try making some sprites and see how they look! Thanks again it's really a big help!