The Digital Monster COLOR is Bandai's modern, full-color revival of the classic 1997 Digital Monster V-pet. If you want an authentic, up-to-date handheld Digimon experience without hunting down original 90s hardware, this is the line most collectors point to. Here's what to know before you spend.
What it is
The Digital Monster COLOR (often abbreviated DMCOLOR or DMC) is a modern virtual pet in the Digital Monster line, released from 2023 onward (the first versions launched around February–May 2023, with Ver.3 through Ver.5 arriving around September 2023 in Japan). As the name says, the big upgrade over the old mono-LCD devices is a full-color screen, with the classic Digital Monster raise-and-battle loop underneath. Each version comes in specific shell colors and carries its own roster of Digimon and evolution routes.
The core versions and rosters
The line launched as five core versions, each with its own set of evolution lines, printed on different shells:
- Ver.1 — e.g. Original Brown and Grey shells.
- Ver.2 — in this batch, shells like Original Black, White and Smoke.
- Ver.3 — Original Purple.
- Ver.4 — Original Clear Red.
- Ver.5 — Original Clear Green.
Exact shell colorways and availability differ by market and over time, so treat these as the general starting point, not a permanent catalog. Beyond the core five, Bandai has also produced collaboration editions — for example a Monster Hunter 20th Edition, a Godzilla 70th Edition, and a Xros Wars (Digimon Xros Wars) 15th Edition — plus a Digimon Pendulum COLOR line sharing the same full-color hardware.
Compatibility — read this before buying two
A common gotcha: the Digital Monster COLOR can battle and connect with other devices in the Digital Monster COLOR series and the Digimon Pendulum COLOR series, but it is generally not compatible with the older two-prong (two-pin) V-pets from the 90s/00s. So if your whole reason for buying is to battle someone with an old digivice, check compatibility first.
How evolution works here
The COLOR uses the modernized version of the classic formula we explain in our V-pet evolution guide: early stages tick up on a timer, but reaching the higher stages (Perfect and Ultimate) requires battling with a good win ratio — roughly a minimum win percentage around 40% with about 80% (and typically 1 or fewer care mistakes) read as guaranteeing the top forms. So a COLOR is not a passive pet; it rewards regular battling and attentive care.
Which one to buy
There's no single "right" version — it's a roster choice:
- Pick by your favorite Digimon. Look up the evolution chart for each version and grab the one that includes forms you actually want to raise. Roster lists for each Ver. are widely documented on fan wikis.
- Consider the shell color you like. Each core version ships in specific colors, so the look is part of the decision.
- Check compatibility with what you own. If you're buying two or three to battle, make sure they're all in the COLOR/Pendulum COLOR family.
- Mind the market. These are Japan-first Premium Bandai releases, so importing — and price — varies by region and stock.
Bottom line: the Digital Monster COLOR is the friendly modern entry point to real Digimon V-pet raising, and the choice between versions is mostly "which Digimon do you want to raise." For the broader family history, see our digivice timeline post.
This is an unofficial fan buying guide for informational purposes — not affiliated with Bandai Namco.