THE GOOD: + Great graphics + Good use of the stylus + Immense list of things to do with your dogs + Many breeds of dogs + Unlimited amount of gameplay
THE BAD: - Dogs become unhappy when you stop playing - Voice command system is weird - Can become very boring and repetitive - Can only have 8 dogs, three in the main house
SUMMARY: The moment you purchase your first dog, and see it learn it's own name, you can't help but feel good. Nintendogs is a heart melting game, caring for adorable puppies. You will fall in love with this game as you interact with your dogs in various ways.
Gameplay Interact with your dog through many tasks to raise dogs and befriend them. You begin at a kennel with 5,000$ to purchase a dog. You can select any male or female dog, choose its colour and nature. If you don't like the dogs shown, simply press back and re-select the same dog. Once you have purchased your dog, you will bring it home. At first it will be scared, so pet it and praise it to make it feel more loved. You then can name your dog using the DS microphone. Be careful, the microphone is very sensitive to how you pronounce things, so try to be very monotone when you say commands/names.
The game allows you to do various things with your dog. This includes walking, brushing/washing, teaching them tricks, and entering them in competitions. Walking is very important, as it allows you to meet other dogs, find new items, and practise for certain contests. There are three contest, which are the agility contest, obedience trial and frisbee contest. The game also runs with your DS clock, which means when you stop playing, the game continues. Like the real world, dogs still live even once you're done playing with them. This can become quite annoying after time, but it keeps you motivated in the game.
Sounds Although the general game sound is quite low, you will be pleased hearing each dogs individual bark. Tiny details such as howling, panting and running can be heard. When walking around, you can feel the soothing sounds of the area you are near. For instance, the beach will create calming wave sounds.
Graphics The graphics for Nintendogs are not only adorable, but they are extremely well done. Your puppies will look very realistic, and even the scenery while walking is done wonderful. For a DS game, the graphics have been done very well.
The video displays how you can control three dogs, play with them and hear their barks. As you can see, the graphics show immense detail, especially with each of the puppies. The video is a great way to see how the stylus is used. You can wash, brush, teach tricks, walk, play frisbee, throw items and pet your dog all with the stylus.
Lasting Opinions/Recommendations Nintendogs was my first DS title I owned. I can pick it up and find myself playing it once again. The dogs are simply adorable, and the game was quite fun. I found if you overplayed it to begin with, you lost interest faster. I recommend this for anyone who owns a DS, it's simply a game you must own.
THE GOOD: This game has outstanding graphics bearing in mind it is a handheld console we are talking about. It's Sim lifestyle is also very appealing. If you could not have a dog (allergies for example) this provides the best alternative since the "Dogz" series. Also I found that the sounds used were of good quality and were realistic.
THE BAD: The thing I hate most about this game is the microphone. For a start you can feel a liitle silly talking to your DS in front of people (those who are less familliar with the mechanics of the game in particular) and the "naming ceremony" I really hated because i found it inproperly instructed and repetitive. Another thing I dislike is the only way to get your dog to do tricks is via the microphone, this can make game-play difficult if a) you haven't played in a while b) you have a sore throat and can't speak clearly and c) you have a very distinct voice, thus making it difficult for anyone else to command your dog. The final thing I did not enjoy is how quickly you run out of things to do, and have to wait half an hour or so to be able to do something of interest.
SUMMARY: In conclusion I would not buy this game if; you are very busy as, although your dog is not real, it can still take quite alot of time if you were to play it properly (and i mean properly!), if you are impatient as the dogs can be quite hard to train and if you don't have any other DS games as you run out of things to do rather quickly. However I would buy it if; You know other people who have other versions of the game as you get a better range of breeds, if you like and/or can't have dogs as -like I said before- this makes a great alternative and if you like Sim games in general as this is a really great example of one.
THE GOOD: Nintendogs: Labrador and friends is a life sim. It is evident in it's title that it has something to do with dogs. And it does.
This game is great for those who can't have a dog because of allergies or something, because all the main pet-care features are there. You can also do things that you may not be able to do with your real dog, like enter contests every day, and turn it off!!
THE BAD: This game is more than slightly repetitive. The same basic model happens everyday- Feeding, walking, contests, playing and more walking. The walks are the only really bad thing about this game. You see, the more walks you take your puppy for, the longer it can walk for. When they are fully grown, it takes about 10 minutes to walk it. But when you have three full grown dogs, that's half an hour off your life. Oh yeah- did I mention? It's good to take them for at least 2 walks a day. Goodbye sweet hour.
The level of interaction on the walks is low. All you do is hold the lead and pick up poo, hardly an ideal way to spend your free time!
SUMMARY: I shall go over the story ( I guess you could call it that! ) briefly now.
When you start the game for the first time, you are at the kennels. You are told to knock on the door with the pen. You can then choose one of six breeds, Labrador, Pinscher, Snauzer, poodle, corgi and shiba inu. When you buy your puppy, you are in your house. You are instructed to pet your puppy to make him/her feel more at home. Once you spend about a minute doing that, it's time to name your dog! You simply say the dog's name into the mic a few times- one of the good points of the game!
After that, you must get your dog to remember it's new name, by calling it over and over again. If you fail this, it forgets it's name, and you have to repeat that. When you succeed, you teach him/her to sit.
Then the game itself starts, you can now go for walks, enter contests, buy things, feed, play and bath.
On the whole this is a very good buy.
Nintendo announced that they would be creating a series of games that would let the gamer buy, train, look after, wash, and feed numerous puppies. This series evolved into NINTENDOGS. There are three games so far, Labrador and friends, Dachshund and friends, and one other with a name I can not pronounce. The game has to be one of the most innovative ideas Nintendo has ever had, and is sure to go on to be one of the best simulators for hand held games consoles ever.
The Graphics- The graphics in this game are like nothing I have ever seen before. Generally, the over all colour scheme is very light. The backgrounds are detailed very finely, and they bring across a sense of tranquility. The puppies themselves are very pleasing to look at, they are 3D, and very soft looking. During the game, you can use the touch screen to scratch and pet your chosen puppy. When you give it a shower, you use the screen to cover the dog in shampoo, and when you soak it off, it all falls to the ground. The graphics, 9/10.
The sound- The sound in this game, and all other DS games, is superbly created. The layered, textured sound makes such a difference to the old Game boy music. There is music almost all the way through the game, and, very unusually, it is in no way annoying. The songs are bright, cheery, and basically fun to listen to. This game, makes full use of the Nintendo DS's in-built microphone. You do not need to speak too loudly for the mike to pick up what you are saying, but the down-side is that it only recognises the tone of voice you use when you first speak into it, so it is annoying if you speak a slightly different tone and it does not understand you. When the game is left on standby mode, if there is another Nintendogs game nearby, your game makes a loud barking noise ( using the stereo speakers ) to alert you to the other game's presence. The sound, 9/10.
The controls- During the coarse of the game, there is absolutely no need to even touch the buttons. The game was made so that you only need to use the microphone and the touch screen. This has it's good and bad points. It is good to use the touch screen because it lets you have more interaction with your puppy, but it can be bad to use the screen all of the time because your hands can get sweaty and the stylus can slip out of your hands. The touch screen usually has a few icons on it that let you go to the main menu, the 'plan a walk' screen, and your inventory of food and toys. The controls are easy to use, and have a learning span of about five minutes. The controls, 9/10.
The game play- This is one part of this game that has been planned well. You get to teach your dog tricks by petting your dog using the touch screen and saying commands through the microphone. You have the option to enter your puppy in competitions for agility, frisbee throwing, and obedience. To make your dog more fit, you take it for walks. Use the stylus to plan a route on the map, passing shops, other dogs, the park, and the kennel. Sometimes, your pup will find presents along the way, including free food, and numerous toys, lik glasses and a fireman's helmet. There is always something to do in this game, and if you leave the console alone for a long time, you feel sorry for your pet because you haven't been with it. The game play, 10/10.
Over all, This game is definitely worth getting and will offer countless hours of puppy dog fun, to all gamers, especially dog lovers. For them, this game is the most realistic trainer simulator there ever has been, and I think, there ever will be. Over all, 9/10.
Have you ever wanted to get a puppy, but you’re allergic to them or your parents won’t let you? Well now you have a chance. Nintendogs lets you buy, play with, and care for any of 21 popular breeds which include Beagle, Lab, Toy Poodle, and more. You can play with 3 dogs at a time but you can own up to 8 dogs. Along with playing with the dogs, taking them for a walk, dressing them up in funny hats and glasses, and competing in competitions you also have to pickup after them. For example you have to feed them, give them water, pick up their poop, and also give them baths. Although the dogs stay puppies and can never die, they can get fleas. There are 3 separate versions of this game with 6 dogs on each version and chances to unlock more. The version I bought was the Dachshund and Friends version. It has the Miniature Dachshund, the Beagle, the Shih Tzu, the Siberian Husky, the Golden Retriever, and my personal favorite, the Pug. Next, on Labrador and Friends you can play with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a Labrador Retriever, a Miniature Pinscher, a Toy Poodle, a Shiba Inu, and a Miniature Schnauzer. Finally, on Chihuahua and Friends you can play with a Boxer, a Chihuahua, a Yorkshire Terrier, a German Shepherd, a Shetland Sheepdog, and a Cavalier K C Spaniel. Nintendogs uses the features of the Nintendo DS to the fullest. You can use the touchscreen so you can pet the dogs, toss them a tennis ball, or to compete in contests. You can also use the built in microphone to call your dogs to you, and teach them to do tricks.
THE GOOD: - Graphics - Concept - Interactivity Factor
THE BAD: - Voice commands can be tedious at times.
SUMMARY: Nintendogs is a breath of fresh air with its beautiful graphics, amazing interactivity, and playful concept. The minute you walk into the kennel to pick which puppy you'd like to adopt, it is guaranteed you will have a tough time deciding. Whichever puppy gives you the most attention and interacts the best with you, is the one you should probably pick.
Once you have picked a puppy to adopt, you arrive home and teach your new pet to sit. Personally, this part was a bit long and tedious; I had to keep repeating "Sumi, sit down," and had to match my exact tone everytime until she remembered the trick. However, after that point, the game once again became fun - fortunately the voice command isn't needed that often. At least not again for a little while.
One of the really cool aspects of this game is that it works in real-time. When you take your dog out for a walk the scenery will be altered depending on what time it is, and while the DS is off, your puppy is left without you. When you turn on the DS and right before you turn it off be sure to shower your dog with affection and attention (more so), and make sure you check up on him or her regularly. If you do not play Nintendogs over a long period of time, your puppy will not hesitate to run away. That would be unfortunate for the both of you!
All in all, this is a game that has easily captured the hearts of people all over the world, seemingly effortlessly with its irresistible charm and addictive interactivity. Even if you are a hardcore shoot-'em-up type of gaming fan, try checking this game out. It's like owning a real dog minus all of the physical work. XD Hours of fun!
THE BAD: - The voice command system can be a bit wonky.
- Can be a bit thin at times.
SUMMARY: From the moment you pick up the stylus and pat one of the puppies on the nose, you’ll be unable to hold back the tremendous smile curling about your face. Nintendogs is a rarity in the gaming world in that it’s not really a game; it’s an interactive experience that offers truly unique gameplay where you actually have to care for something, rather than kill everything in sight.
The game begins with a trip to the kennel, where you can choose which breed you would like to buy first (each version of the game comes with its own set of starter breeds available from the start). Once you choose a puppy to adopt, the real game begins.
As expected, Nintendogs is a pickup-and-play game where you can quit and come back at any time. Your puppy will always be in your house, waiting for you. Be warned, however, the game plays in real time whether the DS is turned off or not. So if you leave your puppy alone for a while, he or she will be thirsty, hungry, and lonely by the time you get back. This factor of the game is both neat and bothersome at the same time. One of the purposes of having a virtual puppy is so you don’t have to constantly take care of it and deal with all of the negatives of owning a real puppy. Oh well, it’s a nice touch of realism if nothing else.
After you teach your puppy the initial trick “sit”, you can then start teaching it a myriad of other tricks for it to perform at your whim by speaking it clearly into the microphone. While this works well most of the time, you have to match the same tone every time you want to tell your puppy to do something or teach it a new trick. If your tone doesn’t quite match what’s recorded in the puppy’s memory, it won’t recognize the command. Which is disappointing because it draws you out of the experience a bit. But that’s alright since you don’t have to play around with the voice commands very often to have fun, and if you do match your same tone every time you give your puppy a command, he or she will follow it as you wished.
In addition to trick-teaching, and basic puppy-caring, you can also do many physical things with your puppy like play with toys, go for walks, and partake in one of the three available contests (disc, agility, and obedience). Each of the three contests require a multitude of training to do well in, so better get out to the park and get those little legs pumping.
Walking your dog is a valuable experience. Going for walks frequently will not only keep your dog happy and in shape, but you can find many items strewn about your path. This is the easiest way to get new toys, accessories, and items for your puppy. Plus, many locales in the game can only be reached by walking; such as the discount pet store, the park, and the gymnasium (where you can practice for the agility competition). The background will change when you’re on walks depending on where you are in town. Which leads me to comment on the art style in the game.
All of the backgrounds in the game are beautiful and have a surreal serenity to them. They’re very reminiscent of an oil painting in their artistic simplicity. The blending 3D objects with 2D background images creates a unique identity for the game and is a nice little something to look at when your puppy’s not doing anything interesting.
And with that said, it’s time to break the game down.
Gameplay: 5. Nintendogs is a welcome breath of fresh air in a market saturated with mindless shooters and senseless sexuality. Sure, the concept of caring for a virtual animal certainly isn’t new, but it’s never been realized at such a complete level of interactivity like this. Some may scoff at the game from a distance because of its obvious “kiddy” aura, but once you get behind the stylus and start interacting with the puppies, you’ll be hard-pressed to not smile. If there were ever a sure-fire smile-inducer in this world, Nintendogs is it.
Control: 4. This is a difficult category to comment on, since you don’t actually control any sort of character in the game. You do however have the ability to touch your puppy, utilize toys and objects, and take advantage of a plethora of actions to perform with the stylus.
Story: N/A. There’s no story involved, so this category is omitted.
Graphics: 4. The art style is lovely and the dogs and environments are rendered in high detail considering that it’s a DS title.
Sound: 4. The general game volume is a bit low, but it doesn’t really interfere with gameplay. All of the dogs have unique barks, yips and yelps and there’s a nice sense of ambience with occasional background noises such as passing cars, the crashing of ocean waves, and things of that nature.
Lifespan: 3. With plenty of things to do, many breeds to play with, and a good deal of unlockables, there’s plenty of life in this puppy... at first. It won't be long until the cuteness factor wears off and you've already won all the contests, obtained all of the toys, and gone on just one too many walks. This game could have had so much more life if there was just more... game. More minigames, more play modes, and maybe even a puppy adventure could have offered so much more to the player.
Funfactor: 5. Whether you’re a hardcore shooter fan that never sees the light of day, or a mom with 3 kids and a busy schedule, Nintendogs can bring joy to even the coldest of hearts.
Bottom Line:
What we have here is a unique and innovative game that competently demonstrates the DS’s abilities as a platform that can successfully host original game concepts and execute them so perfectly. Hopefully Nintendogs will be the first in a long line of “alternative” game titles that breathe more fresh air into our sequel-stuffed gaming market. It's only problem is that it's a bit shallow and needed more ways to play with your puppies. And for that, this cute little package earns 4.2.
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