Originally posted on Meteor Media.
This year celebrates the 15th year anniversary since the release of the tremendously successful DS series, Ninetendogs, which sees players adopt and care for their own pooch.
Nintendogs started with three different game types (Dachshund & Friends, Lab & Friends and Chihuahua & Friends), and later became a franchise with the sequel, Nintendogs + Cats, released on the Nintendo 3DS. Let’s go back in time to find out if the original remains the best in show.
Unleash your potential
As soon as you begin the game, you are whisked away to the Nintendog Kennel to choose your companion from six different breeds. Each individual dog has its own traits and quirks making it feel like you’re adopting an actual pooch.
Once you return home, you care for your new companion by ensuring they are fed, cleaned, or happy via walks or playing. It’s so easy to become attached to your virtual pals and hard for you to resist the cuteness.
Anything is paw-sible
After you name your pooch and do basic training, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with your little friend. Whether that is just spending time pampering your puppy or training it up for the next big competition, the decision is yours.
The more you do something, the more is unlocked in the game. You begin with the basics, such as a limit of distance your puppy can go. After a few walks, your virtual friend’s stamina will increase leading you further on walks and find more valuable items along the way.
Ruff around the edges
Playing Nintendogs in 2020 is just as fun as it was in 2005 - but there still are problems. Unless you speak extremely clear in perfect English, the voice-recognition software will struggle to put your words across. A simple thing such as calling your dog can be difficult and so frustrating.
Events such as walking and competitions are limited in the game, but this is understandable. Your pet wouldn’t feel real if they never stopped to rest. The main issue that I have with Nintendogs is the repetitiveness that comes after a few days of playing. It’s a pick-up and play game that keeps you entertained for an hour before putting it down to do something else.
Paws-itive experience?
Despite being 15 years old, Nintendogs is just as fun as you remember. It’s not a perfect game that’ll fix your puppy craving, but it’ll help. The lifelike and endearing puppies are too adorable to ignore and there are lots of unlockables that you’ll get through hours of playing. Maybe it’s time to pick up your old DS and see how your virtual friend is doing.
Want more gaming, then why not check out this month's issue of Meteor Magazine here.
Words by Charlie Vogelsang