Disappointing, yes. Lacking content, yes. Underrated, yes. This game is worth a try for the open-minded.
Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop starts you off by having you choose one out of three Tamagotchi's to be your partner. Memetchi, Mametchi, and Kuchipatchi. It really doesn't matter which one you choose, much doesn't change. The game is actually made up of about 12 mini-games. Each mini-game is a shop. Like any shop, you will have to satisfy your customers to raise your reputation and recieve more customers while earning money or "Gotchi Points" to spend on your Tamagotchi. After your reputation reaches a certain level, your Tamagotchi's father (you're not supposed to notice who he his. Shhh) disguises himself to see how you're doing without embaressing his kid and after you take care of him, he'll have you upgrade your store. This is the bulk of the game. You can also buy things for your Tamagotchi. However, that really has absolutely no impact on the game. In fact, the "Care" feature is so pointless, I question why it's in the game.
The "Care" part of the game tries to create the illusion that you have a virtual pet. You have the option of feeding and clothing your Tamagotchi and decorating its room. You can also change the music. Oh, and you can tickle it by poking it with your stylus (don't ask). There IS a multiplayer feature if you have a friend with the game (which I highly doubt, but if you do, good for you!). The only thing that will carry on to the "Shop" part is your Tamagotchi's clothing, though. Also, everything will need to be unlocked by having your shop upgraded. You can upgrade your shops 4 times. After upgrading them all, there's nothing left to do but play the mini-games.
You will also start off with two shops depending on which Tamagotchi you choose. Each shop will unlock another after the third upgrade. You'll get them all in a short period of time. I guess thats Bandai's attempt to mix things up in the game. One big problem with this is that the tutorials are EXTREMELY vague. Unless you're a very fast learner, you'll have no idea what you're doing. You're thrown into the game with no explinations which will not appeal to many people. However, once you get the hang of things, you'll have a hard time putting it down. I sure did.
Conclusion:
All in all, this game was a cheap way for Bandai to cash in. This game feels like much, much more could have been done with it. It lacks content and in a way, it also lacks variety for what it offers. You'll find yourself doing the same thing over and over again. Even so, don't misunderstand. This game has many downsides, but it has one big upside. It's unique. This game is not meant to be played for long periods of time, but it's still very addictive and entertaining. You have probably never played a game quite like this before. However, this will only appeal to those that have an open-mind and are somewhat mature and confident enough not to be embaressed by having or being seen with this game (it's silly how people get so hung-up on that). I bought the game, but that's just me. I recommend that people who are interested rent this instead but not with high expectations. You'll be satisfied at half the cost with the least amount of disappointment this way.