Aquapet
Aquapets are collectible, interactive toys that were introduced in the US in 2004 by Wild Planet.
Waves
The first three characters of the original Aquapets (Miku, Puku and Tu) were sold exclusively at Toys R Us stores nationwide starting in February 2004. By April of that year, the initial three figures were joined by three new characters (Kadet, Bunni and Stinga) to complete "Wave 1" which were available in mass and specialty stores across the country.
In October 2004,six brand new characters were released. "Wave 2" consisted of: Lugi, Fanga, Bebe, Pizzazz, Tabi and Blotto.
In January 2005, "Wave 3" was released."Wave 3" included Floptopus, Snorkl, Squirt, Fuego, Likabee, and Peegee.
"Wave 4" was released in August 2005, and it included Bertie, Purkle, Spangle, Dilly, Skinker, and Fizzie.
"Wave 5" was the final "wave" of Aquapets. It was released in April 2006, and it included Pachinko, Harf, Zot, Zmooch, Fretta, and Kitzi.
Features
Each floating, three-dimensional, thumb-sized figure has its own look, sounds and songs. A microchip, microphone, and speaker housed in the toy’s base enable Aquapets to register and respond to sounds made by kids or by other Aquapets. Each character replies with movement and melody.
The more a child plays with their Aquapets, the more songs they will perform and the livelier they will become.
Awards
Aquapets were named one of the top Tech Toys of the year in the 2004 Toy Wishes magazine and were finalists in the same category on the nationally televised Ultimate Toy Awards show. They were featured in National Geographic Kids Magazine in “5 Smart Toys – the Science Behind This Season’s Coolest Toys” in December, 2004, and covered twice in 2004 by U.S. News & World Report – once in a “Best New Toys” story, and once in “Smart Chart.”
The Chicago Tribune recommended the toy as a stocking stuffer for parents to buy for their kids in the “Make sure your stocking has the right stuff” story in December, 2004. Disney Adventures Magazine called Aquapets “the perfect gift” and included the toy in its “All Wrapped Up” gift guide in December, 2004.
In 2004, they were featured on TV news programs across the country in “Top Toys” and “Holiday Gifts for Kids” segments, including: CNN Headline News, CBS News This Morning, CBS Early Show, CNBC Closing Bell, WB Morning News, NY1 News All Weekend, FOX Evening News, Tech TV Fresh Gear, Tech TV Screen Savers, CNBC Wake Up Call, NBC Evening News, NBC News Today, and Telemundo Ahora.
In 2005, Aquapets received the prestigious “Best Toy Award” Gold Seal from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.
2011 Revival
Various "Waves" of Aquapets were released multiple times a year from 2004 until 2007, at which time all Aquapets went into early retirement until they resurfaced again in the March 2011 launch with their new design and games.
In March 2011, Wild Planet released New Aquapets (http://www.newaquapets.com) - redesigned and reprogrammed versions of eight popular characters from previous collections (Bebe, Bertie, Bunni, Fizzie, Fretta, Harf, Puku and Squirt).
New Aquapets live in tear-drop shaped cases and play three new interactive games: Memory Moov (a memory-building sequence game), Aqua Speed (a fast-paced reflex challenge), and Bubble Boogie (a fun and silly way to make your mini marionette dance).
New Aquapets are for ages 6+ and are available worldwide.
Spinoffs
In 2005, LiquiFreaks were released. They are freaky, gross spinoffs of Aquapets. How they work is similar to how Aquapets work. There are two buttons (feed, zap). Feed them "toxic sludge" to make them burp, but overfeed it and it will get sick, similar to Aquapets. Zap them with "electrons," which make them fart. They like getting zapped a lot. Just like Aquapets, they will call for attention if one leaves them alone for about 5 seconds. Then they want something. If you think it is hungry, press the feed button. If you think it wants to hear you, speak into the microphone. If you think it wants to play, press the electron button. If it does not get what it wants, it will act cranky. If it gets what it wants, it will be happy and bob up and down.
Another spinoff was released in 2006 called Dino-Mites, with a light in the tube that glows. They work like Aquapets and LiquiFreaks, but they are slightly different. The first thing one should notice is that there is no microphone, which means it can't hear sounds and talk back. It's call for attention is also slightly different. Instead of making the same noise three times, it will roar and jump until you press a button and try to guess what it wants.
Discontinuation
2007 saw the discontinuation of Aquapets due to their shape. Aquapets were being sold one last time before they were discontinued in September 2007. They were replaced by Purse Pals, angering many Aquapet fans. Petitions were being signed to "Save Aquapets."