Reblogged from The Geek Spot
In the age of remakes and reboots, there is one franchise that I hold dear to my little-gamer heart. So much so that it's one of the few games that I wish would be reinvented for the Nintendo Switch: Nintendogs.
Yep. The pet simulator that allowed kids and teens in 2005 to adopt and care for their own digital dog. It included all the necessary pet actions: Feeding. Taking it out on walks. Collect fun Nintendo hats. Buy dog toys. Train your dog. Enter dog shows. The works.
It was as close to owning a real dog as one could get. You could even use the Nintendo DS built in microphone to call your dog's name and it would rush to you, paws tapping and clawing at the screen while it softly coos for your attention.
This game was amazing and it still is. All versions of Nintendogs (each game allowed you to adopt different breeds) sold over 23.9 million copies on the DS, making it second to New Super Mario Bros. The last version released was in 2011 for the 3DS, Nintendogs + Cats. It didn't score as well as the original with critics, and lacked the styling and finesse of a finished product, but it did well enough to keep the brand in Nintendo's lineup. The cute dogs can be seen in toys and Smash Bros. as an item to distract other fighters.
I miss Nintendogs. While I could download a similar game for my cell phone or the original on the 3DS, the look and feel would not be the same. Nintendogs had an ease and care to the product that you won't find with other simulators. Your digital pet being able to recognize their name when you called to them was astounding. Ace Attorney rarely accepted my shouts of "Objection!" But I could call for 'Sir Barksalot' and he would come dashing to the screen without hesitation. The details on the fur, paws, and ears helped marked distinguishing characteristics with each dog. I also appreciated that you could see the differences with each breed and it wasn't a mesh-mesh of dog parts.
Teaching your dog tricks was a challenge, because it is difficult in real life. Some dogs will take to training much faster than others. It depends on their personality and disposition. Keeping your dog fed and clean required your devotion. This wasn't a game that you could pick up and throw away after a few days. You had to give the attention your digital pet deserved. And it was fun! It made one feel accomplished to see their pet grow. Your heart leaps every time they succeed at a new trick. Your face lights up as your dog learns to go outside to use the bathroom, instead of messing up the house. Each new task they learned was a reward for your dedication.
Nintendogs would be the perfect game to bring back into our lives for a Switch revival. We all could use a little love from a digital pet, and take it with us where we go. Hook up another Switch and you can play with your friend's dog. Have a pet party! Or if you're out walking with your Switch in your bag, your digital dog is doing their daily walk too. Download your pet and take it with you on the road to Nintendogs pet shows and compete with other digital dog owners for prizes. The possibilities are endless for this game with the Switch. Everyone could use the love of a dog. It may not be a real animal, but the benefits of having a pet are worth it - even in digital form!
If there is any game that needs a reboot, Nintendogs is it. And I'll be the first in line to buy it.
I agree with this!!! Bring Nintendogs to Switch! I love Little Friends: Dogs and Cats, but it really isn't the same. I have heard of My Universe's new pet game as well, though it doesn't look as realistic as I'd hoped.
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| My Universe: Puppies and Kittens |
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