Himmapan Marshmello Saga – the Thai “Tamagotchi”


Tamagotchi toys, neopets and other virtual pet games were all the rage in the 90’s and early 00’s. Next month, Thai gaming company, Holy Basil Studios is releasing its very own digital pet game, the Himmapan Marshmello Saga. The characters will be based on Thai mythical creatures, specifically ones that went viral on Facebook and inspired the game’s creator.  

This virtual pet app is similar to the Tamagotchi – it was created by Mr.Tinnapop Sornpom. The game was inspired by viral photos depicting unique statues of Thai mythical creatures at temples in Isaan.


Raise Thai mythical creatures


The beta version of Himmapan Marshmello Saga is now available for Android and iOS devices, but only in Thai. However, it presents a great opportunity to digitally raise a pet while learning about Thai culture and brushing up your language skills.  Mr. Sornpom did mention, though, that there may be an English version available soon. 

Thailand To Release Virtual Pet GameHimmapan Marshmello Saga Evolution
Image credit: @TonsTweetings

Tua Mom, which is a lion-dragon hybrid and Hera, a half dragon-half serpent are the most coveted pets. The objective of this game is to catch and raise the Thai mythical creatures until they’ve evolved into their final form – the newly evolved pets will then be added into your collection. The more pets you have and the stronger, the more points you receive.  The system is quite comparable to a Pokedex from Pokemon – so gotta catch em all! 

Thailand To Release Virtual Pet Game
Different aspects of pet development in Himmapan Marshmello Saga
Image credit: Bear Tai

เลี้ยงเหล่าน้อนหิมพานต์ใน
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เลี้ยงเหล่าน้อนหิมพานต์ใน "Himmapan Marshmello Saga" | MiniReview

Birth of the game


Abbot Phra Kru Soota shared photos of unique looking statues of Thai mythical creatures on an Isaan tourism facebook page, Sim, in early December 2020 with the hashtag #HimmapanMarshmallow. 

Himmapan is the name of the fabled magical forest where mythical creatures live – the second part of the hashtag refers to how some depictions of the creature resemble the fluffy confectionary. 

Thailand To Release Virtual Pet GamePhoto collage of mythical creatures
Adapted Images: สิม 

When the photos of these statues went viral, they were nicknamed as Non by Thai netizens – which is a shortened version of the word Nong, which translates to “little one”.  The viral pictures and clever hashtag inspired Mr. Sornpom to develop the game. 

“In my day we played Tamagotchi and Digimon games,” creator Tinnapop Sornpom, 33, said in Khaosod English, “then I saw the hashtags about non, who were so cute.”


Thai culture in virtual reality


In the midst of closed borders and travel restrictions, the game could be fun for Tamagotchi fanatics and those who love Thai culture in general – Like every culture, Thai culture has its own uniqueness and creativity like the game here.

More on games here:


Featured images adapted from: สิม, Himmapan Marshmello Saga

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