Pepper Rocket
Ain't got no mojo...
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2017
- Messages
- 19
In the 20th Anniversary Digital Monster Art Book, there is a section dedicated to the "Making Of" Digimon. In it, there is a description of a unused concept called "Capsule Zaurus". While the basic idea carried over to Digimon, there are differences between the two. I hope eventually there is a better, more in-depth translation of all this, but here's my best shot.
1. The pitch is basically "Tamagotchi isn't just for girls" There is an emphasis put on "Battle" being a selling point for boys.
2. Capsule Zaurus could learn up to 4 techniques and could pass on 2 of them after death.
3. There were three types of food and it would determine growth rate and final evolution.
4. Instead of "evolve" it was "transform". Each stage/level was a "generation" and there was no Baby II equivalent at this time.
5. Battle was mostly the same, but certain phrases, like "Access!", "Connector Up!", or special moves would flash on screen. HP had a number on the win or lose screen.
6. The designs were simpler and cuter than Digimon. The colors were also more straight-forward.
7. At the bottom of the second page, you can see the start of a few Digimon, like Numemon. Girls with animal ears and tails were hidden monsters.
On Twitter, Marc pointed out that it might be connected to an 80s Bandai franchise known as "Pocket Zaurus", though the art book itself doesn't seem to reference it.


1. The pitch is basically "Tamagotchi isn't just for girls" There is an emphasis put on "Battle" being a selling point for boys.
2. Capsule Zaurus could learn up to 4 techniques and could pass on 2 of them after death.
3. There were three types of food and it would determine growth rate and final evolution.
4. Instead of "evolve" it was "transform". Each stage/level was a "generation" and there was no Baby II equivalent at this time.
5. Battle was mostly the same, but certain phrases, like "Access!", "Connector Up!", or special moves would flash on screen. HP had a number on the win or lose screen.
6. The designs were simpler and cuter than Digimon. The colors were also more straight-forward.
7. At the bottom of the second page, you can see the start of a few Digimon, like Numemon. Girls with animal ears and tails were hidden monsters.
On Twitter, Marc pointed out that it might be connected to an 80s Bandai franchise known as "Pocket Zaurus", though the art book itself doesn't seem to reference it.