I had one of those growing up. It was a lot of fun.

I find the key is to treat it as a person. Not because it is one, but because this is the designed user interface

I had the Digimon battlers. Those were sick

I chose one of these over a pet turtle.. then lost it in a field.. ah the good old days

And if we don't like what its becoming, just don't feed it or clean its poop.