"Mega Pet" Virtual Pet, circa 1997

01

Artifact Overview

Virtual pets, based on real or imaginary animals, were first introduced to the United States in the late-1990s. Using portable handheld electronic gaming devices, players "adopted" digital animals and controlled buttons to respond to the creatures' needs, such as food, attention, or medical care. A pet could even "die" if the player neglected them.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Toy (Recreational artifact)

Date Made

circa 1997

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Made in China, printed in Hong Kong

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Your Place in Time

Object ID

99.91.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Plastic
Metal
Cardboard

Color

Blue
Yellow (Color)
Orange (Color)
Colorless

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in
Width: 5.5 in
Length: 1 in

Inscriptions

on front of packaging: TF9010 / Mega / Pets / we need lots of / attention / in the daily life / including feeding, / bathing, cleaning, / sleeping, / playing / & / discipline! ELECTRONIC GAME / AGES 5 & UP on back of packaging: Made in China / Printed in Hong Kong / Not suitable for children under 36 months. / May contain small parts. / Printed on recycled paper / Use 2X LR441G13-A batteries. (Batteries included) on price tag: WAS $9.99 / CLEARANCE / NOW $2.00
"Mega Pet" Virtual Pet, circa 1997