Nintendogs: Dachshund & Friends

Raising your virtual puppy is so realistic that this game should come with a ringing endorsement from Battersea Dogs Home.

Splendid (and strangely addicting). [Oct 2005, p.73]

An incredibly accurate simulation as to what pet ownership is really like.

Nintendogs will not appeal to everyone because it is not an action game, in the true sense of the term, but it does have "action" in the form of interacting with your pet by taking care of it. The touch screen system of the DS allows you to pet your dog and teach it tricks. The onboard mic allows you to interact with your pet through voice commands.

While it's not a game so much as a pet simulator that you fiddle with for a few minutes every day, Nintendogs is ridiculously charming and cute. And virtual dog poop is a lot easier to clean up than the real stuff.

Nintendogs offers up unconventional gameplay, adorable puppies, and might just bring out the obsessive compulsive behaviors you never knew you had.

Nintendogs captures the essence of puppydom in its adorable stars and genuine charm, but focuses so much on being a cutie that it forgets to be a game. DS owners thirsting for companionship will certainly find some here, although it’s really just a virtual pet without enough interesting gameplay enhancements.