A passionate fan of Nintendogs is showing off their impressive collection of the beloved DS and 3DS series, caring for their virtual pets across 52 copies of the games. Nintendo has often used early games from its consoles to show off the capabilities of the new hardware. The Nintendo DS was no different, with Nintendo looking to demonstrate what its bold new touchscreen-focused design could produce. One of the most memorable games to come from the early DS was the launch of the original Nintendogs.
Nintendogs served as one of the flagship launch games for the Nintendo DS, initially receiving three versions based around different species. The games were an instant hit for Nintendo's newest handheld console, selling more than 23 million copies worldwide and standing as the second best-selling DS games of all-time. The series later received a follow-up on another Nintendo handheld, similarly debuting Nintendogs + Cats with three separate versions as launch titles for the Nintendo 3DS. The series earned plenty of passionate fans and pet lovers, including one who has taken on a particularly noble devotion to the games.
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Nintendogs Fan is Caring for their Virtual Dogs Across 52 Copies
Reddit user magical_sylveon shared their impressive collection of Nintendogs games to the truenintendogs subreddit. The user showed off their set of 52 different copies of Nintendogs, spanning multiple copies of each DS version, alongside an equally impressive group of Nintendogs + Cats games. The user also shared their reasoning behind amassing such a sizable collection of games, revealing that they enjoy going into each Nintendogs game and continuing to care for the virtual pets, even decades after the games' original releases. The user's assortment of games even includes several copies of the Japan-exclusive Shiba Inu versions, both for the original Nintendogs and Nintendogs + Cats.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
The user's commitment to more than 50 copies of Nintendogs saw plenty of praise and warm responses to the post. One fan cited a similar content creator on TikTok who purchases used copies of Nintendogs from thrift stores, with the poster even replying that they are friends. One comment revealed some insight into their approach, typically buying Nintendogs games at conventions but asking to test the games to ensure the original save files are intact. Many users shared their own memories of Nintendogs and their older copies, reminiscing on dogs they used to have and expressing the hope that their virtual dogs are still being cared for.
Nintendogs was not only a groundbreaking title for the Nintendo DS but it also helped to usher in a more casual-friendly direction for the company. The DS was home to a wide variety of games aimed at non-hardcore gamers, with everything from puzzle games like Brain Age and Big Brain Academy to resource games like cookbooks, reading games, and fitness-based titles. The push towards a casual market also defined much of Nintendo's approach with the Nintendo Wii, with games like Wii Sports aimed at bringing in a greater audience for the console.
While Nintendogs has not seen a new release since the 3DS, Nintendo has continued to experiment with new types of lighthearted simulation games. Tomodachi Life was a cult classic on the 3DS following its debut in 2014, and a long-awaited sequel, Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, is coming soon. The Pokemon franchise may have also taken some inspiration from Nintendogs, with Switch-era games allowing players to pamper and interact with their Pokemon at campsites and in-game picnics. Nintendo's casual-oriented approach has taken up the legacy left behind by Nintendogs, continuing to push more easygoing experiences for any fan to enjoy.
- Released
- August 22, 2005
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EAD
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Nintendogs
Players care for and train their puppy by petting it, walking it, and buying it supplies to play with. As a puppy competes in obedience and agility trials, owners can win money to purchase other puppy breeds.
The pups will vary in gender, coloration and personality. Players purchase one of several breeds available at the beginning, then start spending time with their pup. They throw flying discs and balls to improve the pup’s agility, bathe it when it gets dirty, and use their own personal voice commands to train the dog to do tricks.
If players train it well enough, they will excel in obedience and agility trials and disc competitions, which will earn money that they can use to buy other supplies and puppy breeds. When players earn enough cash, they can buy even more puppies to live with their original pup.
Players can socialize their pups by walking them around the town, where they will meet neighborhood dogs, and maybe even find new toys. Trips to the park and gym offer valuable training time to prepare for agility trials and disc competitions. Over time, the pup's stamina will increase so players can explore farther and farther.
Players also can interact wirelessly with their friends' Nintendogs – they can set their DS to bark whenever another puppy is within wireless range.
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS
