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CYPRESS - 06/14/04 - Tamagotchi - the "virtual pet" - is poised for a comeback in the US this summer, eight years after the original version took the toy market by storm, reports Reuters.

But whether the next generation of the egg-shaped gadget will again be a hot seller is an open question as there's now new competition from other games looking to break into the booming virtual pet business via the Internet.

Bandai America, the Cypress, California-based US distributor of the pocket-sized cyberpet, nonetheless, expects that the growing popularity of so-called "retro toys" will be enough to put the Tamagotchi high on the back-to-school shopping lists of many young girls, whose parents may already be familiar with it.

The company - a unit of Bandai Co., Japan's largest toy maker - said the so-called cyber pet will make its debut in August at major retailers, including Toys-R-Us Inc., the No. 2 toy seller in the US behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Its return to the US follows recent launches in Japan and Europe, where the toy is already enthralling many children and even some adults, raising hopes that it could once again be a worldwide hit.

The newest Tamagotchi - which means "cute little egg" in Japanese - now boasts a larger display and better graphics than the original version.

The advanced "Tamagotchi Connection" features new infrared communication functions allowing the virtual pet to strike up friendships with other Tamagotchi, visit them, give gifts, play games, marry and even reproduce.

If left unattended, it beeps for attention.

Tamagotchi gained popularity when Bandai launched the product in 1996, selling more than 40 million units worldwide, Reuters said.

Its US relaunch would be backed by a promotional campaign, including an auction of the brightly colored gadgets on San Francisco-based eBay Inc. starting on June 21.

At the height of the Tamagotchi craze in the US several years ago, there were even reports of some children sliding into depression with each "electronic death" of a Tamagotchi under their care.

The new "Tamagotchi Connection" is capable of storing a "friend list" of up to 50 names.

Once a Tamagotchi matures, it can connect with a compatible mate and have a second-generation Tamagotchi, which the owner can care for and nurture into an adult to create possible third and fourth generations, according to Bandai.

The owner pushes various buttons to feed, play with, clean up after and give medicine to the digital animal, while failure to keep it content will send it into fits of annoyance.

In some cases of extreme neglect, it will "die."

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