The Tamagotchi School, nicknamed TamaSuku (たまスク), is one of the most unusual Tamagotchis ever made. There is no pet to raise here: you are the teacher of a class of Tamagotchis. This guide in English explains how the game works, what each icon does, the mini-games, the connections and how the TamaSuku 2 differs.
What is the Tamagotchi School (TamaSuku)?
Its full name is Tamagotchi School Sēto Zēin Shūgotchi! (たまごっちスクール せーとぜーいんしゅーごっち!), and it was released in Japan only, on 23 November 2006, for the brand’s 10th anniversary. It never reached the West, which is part of why collectors seek it out today.
A device unlike any other Tamagotchi
- Shape: an egg lying on its side, with the screen in the centre inside a shell-shaped border.
- Buttons: a 4-way directional pad on the left and two buttons on the right, to confirm and to cancel. A long way from the usual A, B and C.
- Infrared: the sensor sits on top of the device.
How the game works
Your aim is to grow your class. To do that you need to:
- keep your class popular;
- take on new students: each day a few Tamagotchis turn up asking to join, and you simply press the confirm button to accept them;
- raise the scores in the three main subjects (Japanese, maths and science) by playing their mini-games.
The more students and points you have, the higher your class rank climbs. You can see it on screen: the blackboard in the background gets bigger with every new rank.
Careful if you put it down: popularity falls when you stop playing. Once it hits zero, students leave the class and your rank can drop. Students who have left may come back later, though.
The 10 icons explained
| Icon | What it does |
|---|---|
| Check Meter | Shows the state of your class (details below). |
| Attendance (student list) | Lists your students. The selected one is highlighted. |
| Japanese | Mini-games that raise the Japanese score. |
| Maths | Mini-games that raise the maths score. |
| Science | Mini-games that raise the science score. |
| Connection | Infrared communication with other devices. |
| Recreation | View and use your items. |
| School book | Lists every class you have connected with, and your relationship with them. |
| Shop | Buy new items with your Gotchi Points. |
| Raised hand | The attention indicator: it lights up when your class needs you. |
Reading the Check Meter
- Popularity: shown as 4 hearts, just like hunger and happiness on the other Tamagotchis.
- Class size: how many students you have.
- Class points: the level reached in the subjects.
- Gotchi Points: the in-game currency, to spend in the shop.
- Class mark: a picture with the player’s name, matching the subject you teach.
Changing the subject you teach
- In the Check Meter, scroll to the class mark screen.
- Press the confirm button.
- Choose “Yes” (the top option).
- Select the icon of the subject you want.
Choosing which student to play with
Open the student list, move to a student who isn’t already selected, confirm, then choose “Yes” (the top option). That student is the one you will play the mini-games with.
The mini-games by subject
| Subject | Mini-games |
|---|---|
| Japanese | Crossword puzzle or the book game |
| Maths | Number catch or coin catch |
| Science | Chemistry or fly catch |
Other subjects exist, such as gymnastics and art or drama, but they do not carry a score like the three main subjects.
Which Tamagotchis can the TamaSuku connect to?
| Device | What the connection allows |
|---|---|
| Another TamaSuku | Playing games together |
| Entama and Uratama | Exchanging Gotchi Points and unlocking new characters |
| Jukutama | A “home-sized” Tamagotchi (Deka Tamagotchi) built specifically to connect to the TamaSuku |
The TamaSuku could also connect to Japanese online services of the day (the school.e-tamago.com website and the Tamagotchi Station kiosks), which are no longer running.
Not compatible with the Tamagotchi Connection models sold in the West, even though those also use infrared.
TamaSuku 1 or TamaSuku 2: what’s the difference?
The Tamagotchi School 2 (たまスク2), released in 2007, keeps the same idea with two major changes:
| TamaSuku (2006) | TamaSuku 2 (2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main subjects | Japanese, maths, science | Music, physical education, art |
| Exclusive characters | — | Cheertchi, Classictchi, Crayontchi (Kureyontchi) |
Tips for growing your class
- Play a little every day so popularity doesn’t slide.
- Accept the visitors who turn up: class size drives your rank.
- Rotate the three subjects so every score goes up.
- Watch the raised hand: that is your class asking for you.
- Connect to an Entama or Uratama if you have one, to unlock new characters.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Tamagotchi School released in the West?
No, the TamaSuku was sold in Japan only. Outside Japan you will need to import one or buy it second-hand.
Why are my students leaving the class?
That is a sign popularity has hit zero, usually after several days without playing. Play regularly to bring it back up: students who left can return.
Can a TamaSuku connect to a Tamagotchi Connection?
No. Among the Tamagotchis of that era it only talks to another TamaSuku, the Entama, the Uratama and the Jukutama, all of which are Japanese models.
What is the Jukutama?
It is a Deka Tamagotchi, a larger device meant to stay at home, designed specifically to connect to the Tamagotchi School.
What battery does the TamaSuku take?
One CR2032 cell, on both the TamaSuku and the TamaSuku 2. See our guide What battery does my Tamagotchi need?
Fancy running your own class? Browse our Tamagotchi School (TamaSuku) units, along with the compatible Entama and Uratama. You can also read our Tamagotchi P1/P2 guide and all our Tamagotchi guides.