My Digimon 20th Anniversary Version finally arrived today. I am not proud that I had to pay more than double its US retail price of 20USD, but it was the only way I could get my hands on one during these interesting times.

At RM185.04 on Shopee, it was not even the cheapest listing. But it does have the best seller rating and feedback, and I can vouch for that. The seller sent out the order on the same day I ordered it. Sadly, I ordered it on a Friday and had to wait for it to arrive on Monday.

Anyway, at a glance, the original 1997 US Ver.1 Digimon Vpet looks similar to the 2019 US 20th Anniversary Version Digimon Vpet. The same overall design with its four buttons (one reset), brick pattern, broken cage frame, and the same display background.

Look closer, and you will see the dimensions of the two devices are different. The 2019 model is slightly larger. It also uses a single CR2032 instead of two LR44. If both devices were new and out of the box, the pull tab on the 1997 model would be at the bottom in a special slot while the 2019 model is at the back protruding from the larger battery cover.

The keychain is also different from the 1997 model, which features a keyring instead of a clip. The dimensions of the Digimon battle connector at the top are identical. Still, the one on the older device looks better made.

Gameplay for the two devices is very different as well. The 1997 model is a simple multiplayer experience. Feed them, train them, clean after them, and battle them against other digital monsters on different devices. Without someone to fight with, the game can be dull.

The 2019 model is a whole different beast. There are over 115 Digimons to discover compared to the 14 in the first model. There’s also a single-player colosseum to battle in, a directory of Digimons unlocked, the ability to send and receive Digimons from other compatible devices, and the ability to raise two Digimons at the same time to make a tag team. Raise two compatible Digimons at the same time and battle them five times, and they will Digifuse into one special and powerful Digimon.

For now, I just want to raise my one Ver.1 egg to its maturity. That should not take long, maybe a couple of weeks, because the Digimon on the 2019 model seems like they evolve faster and, in turn, have a shorter lifespan.