The Official Nintendogs Thread

[sci]

I imported the japanese version of Nintendogs, a game that's been very controvertial on the internet because of the ultra positive reviews and the fact that it's seen as the killer app for the DS, yet it's seen as been very kiddie. Me and my sister were pretty hyped about that game. We pre-ordered it months in advanced from ncsx, and it finally shipped last week.

This game will be a sales monster. It will be everywhere. Kids will kill each others for the plush toys, they will beat each other up to trade between themsleves their dogs. This game will cause riots in the streets on release day. But before you rush to your import sites to buy yourself a copy, i must you warn you that this game is very heavy on japanese. There's a lot of contextual menus, but if you're smart, youre going to figure things out pretty quickly. It took us about half a hour to be really fluids with the menus and how to play. This is just a warning.

When you start the game, you are in a dog kennel, and you have the choice between brands of dogs that are randomly selected from a batch of 5. Each cart (depending on the edition) comes with 5 breeds selectable from the start, and they are rumors now that you can unlock 5 more breeds thru special challenges. The colors and features of the first 3 dogs in kennel are randomly selected. You can play with them for a while, and then you make your choice. Just like in real life :D

First you have to name your dog. A easy tutorial (in japanese, dont forget about this) will help you getting started. A microphone icon appears on the bottom screen; clicking on it activates the recording mode, and you record the name of your dog. You will have to repeat that sequence a few times, so that the software will register the tone of your voice. Eventually the dog will "understand" that his name is Fido (or whatever) and you'll move to the next "challenge", the sit command.

You can teach your dog several commands (think: sit, play dead, bring, etc etc) during the game. The first one in the tutorial will show you how to get your dog to sit on command. you go thru the same sequence than for the naming part of the tutorial. After a few repeat, the dog will understand the command. You can use any word you want, it doesn't matters at all. The game associates the recorded sound for that certain command. This way you can use any language, or sounds.

After this short 5 minutes introduction, you get access to the rest of the game. From there, you can do many things. You can play with the dog and use your items (ball, frizbee,etc), take care of it (feed it, wash it, etc) and you can "go out". You can go take a walk with your dog (you draw your own path across the vritual city where you can visit spots like the park, the store, etc)

It's very complete. You can also take part in competitions where, depending on your ranking, can earn you money. You use the money to buy new toys for the dog, food, water, medicaments, collars, dog clothing, and new dogs!

Yes, you can have more than one dog at once! There's a pet shop where you can see the available dogs with their stats, and how they interact before buying them. When you buy them, they stay with your in your appartement with your other dog(s). Each dog has a different personality and features, some will be more energic, more shy, more aggressive, just like real life. It gives the game a lot of replayability. You have 3 dogs at once in your "appartement", and you can also store them in "The Dog Hotel" (that's how they call it) where you can swap in and out dogs.

The game is incredibly cute. You can see that there was a lot of r&d done to research on how dogs react with humans and other dogs. Real Dog owners (my old dog i grew up had to be sadly put to sleep because of illness very recently) will realise quickly how incredibly well done and realistic the interaction with the dog and the touch screen is.

You can poke, pet, rub, etc etc your dog, and he will react to it like a real dog would do. The interaction is really the key point of Nintendogs, and it's done perfectly. The dog will react to your voice; you can correct him, and he will show fear. Call him with a happy voice, and he will come to you wagging his tail around.

It's really quality stuff. This is what makes the game. The way you interact with the dogs. The whole care taking stuff gets addictive REALLY fast. Just this morning, when I woke up, first thing I did was to boot up the DS, feed the dogs, play ball with them, and walk them around. This game is pure digital crack.

You start training your dogs for the competitions (there's 3 types of competitions in the game, Frizbee Catching, Stunt Competition, and Tricks Competition) and with them money you earn, you buy them new toys, gadget, fancier food, etc. It's really neat to see the progression of your puppies, as they gain more and more confidence.

Sadly, from what I understand, the only downpoint of the game is that the dogs will stay puppies forever. They wont age past the puppy stage, and they will never die. I guess this decision was made to prevent people from suffering too much from the death of their dogs when the time eventually comes

The microphone support is pretty well done, the dog usually always understand your commands. Of course they will understand better as you progress, but from the technical side of things, it's very well done. The game sounds pretty simple, but it's pretty deep, and like I said earlier, very addicting. I never expected myself to get so involved in Nintendogs. It's just crazy.

I can only but recommend the title to anyone. Really anyone. This game has sold about 500K units in a week in Japan, and it's not surprising. I believe they are planning the american release for Christmas, and it's going to be a real monster on the charts. I would even go as far as saying that this might get bigger than pokemons, except this time, the game will appeal to adults too.

A very solid 9/10.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Thanks a bunch for that ... Pretty much confirms everything I've been reading and interpreting from the videos, screens, and reviews.

I hope its before Christmas .. I can't wait that long ...

[Danny]

Yeah good work SCI although I doubt this game will be a big a Pokemon, after all Pokemon still has it's own themepark in Japan for crying out loud!

On a positive side I just hate it when people say a game is "Kiddie" because it's not all dark, gloomy and has got a lot of voilance involed, from that description alone I guess Quake would be the ulitmate non-kiddle game :D

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Thanks for the Review this is one im really looking foward to, Its a shame that the UK wont see it for about 10 months.

[Paingiver]

Good review work sci. Keep em coming :)

[Shane R. Monroe]

If Nintendo was smart, they would spend their advertising dollars convincing people that this isn't NeoPet or Dogz. People with little knowledge or ambition to learn will dismiss Nintendogs as a port of these lesser "virtual pet" simulations when in reality, it doesn't belong with them.

No one goes head to head with competitors or puts smack down anymore. Remember the old Pepsi vs Coke commercials? Colecovision vs Atari VCS? Sh*t was BRUTAL back then ... I mean, people tasting Coke and gagging while rinsing their mouth out with Pepsi ... or Colecovision showing crappy VCS games and saying "Why put up with this .... when you could have THIS!"

I could SO market for Nintendo. DS commercials, Nintendog commercials. I could ... (to quote Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion) "Sell the sh*t out of this stuff". What's funny is ... the stuff could sell itself - but they continue to use obscure crap like breathing and fogging up a double window pane ... screw that.

Let me paint my Nintendo DS commercial ...

Focus on a pair of hands using a NES controller ... filling up most of the screen ... with 1984 at the top ... playing drab, boring music in the background. Then show a Sega Genesis, SNES, Saturn, basically flip through every console and handheld since the DPad was invented ... end up on the PSP - each one with the year on top ..... basically showing how gaming controls haven't changed in 20 years ... then BAM! Cue the pumping ass techno track ... bang through the DS playing Yoshi, blowing out candles in Project Rub, rubbing puppies, and between flickers of screens and controls (christ show the damn Golden Eye DS videos) .... Have quick flashes of growing font text TOUCHING .... <more quick videos> IS <more quick videos> GOOD ... <faster videos, more touching> BRIGHT WHITE screeen fade to black with Nintendo DS logo and text below growing in ... GAMING HAS EVOLVED ... fade to black.

Damn, man .. what a pump up that would be ....

BTW, I own the rights to that commercial .. I know Nintendo hangs out in here .... :)

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Hahaha great ad,

although the DS adverts arn't the best i've seen at least they are marketing it, i hav'nt seen a GameCube ad for ages

[Shane R. Monroe]

Yeah, its pretty sad ...

[Bill_Loguidice]

I can only but recommend the title to anyone. Really anyone. This game has sold about 500K units in a week in Japan, and it's not surprising. I believe they are planning the american release for Christmas, and it's going to be a real monster on the charts. I would even go as far as saying that this might get bigger than pokemons, except this time, the game will appeal to adults too.

A very solid 9/10.

If I were Nintendo, I'd get the thing out by September to make an impact and have other things planned for Christmas, like a Zelda or Mario or something, along with some innovative titles. A game like that could very well be overwhelmed by the holiday hype of Xbox 360 and an unbundled and price dropped PSP. I'd seriously doubt that can be combatted with a dog owning simulation. Timing is everything and Nintendo needs to build that user base and get the buzz BEFORE the holidays!

[Shane R. Monroe]

If I were Nintendo, I'd get the thing out by September to make an impact and have other things planned for Christmas, like a Zelda or Mario or something, along with some innovative titles. A game like that could very well be overwhelmed by the holiday hype of Xbox 360 and an unbundled and price dropped PSP. I'd seriously doubt that can be combatted with a dog owning simulation. Timing is everything and Nintendo needs to build that user base and get the buzz BEFORE the holidays!

I've heard from a pretty reliable source that they are pushing for Fall 05, so I would suspect they will beat Christmas. Localization could EASILY be done in the new few months, so it makes good sense.

As for 'combatted with a dog simulation', don't underestimate the power of this sort of thing. Remember Furby? This totally kicks Furby's ass and Nintendo has the marketing might to make it so that you suck if you don't have a Nintendog. Whether or not they are willing to flex that muscle for Nintendogs is the wild card. The make up of Nintendogs is PRIME RIB for the type of goofy market that Furby and its ilk have spawned in the past. They can interact with EACH OTHER, they can learn (the speech thing is going to own - I saw a video of someone showing off the demo - and when the dog pricks its ears up when you call it, its nothing short of friggin' stunning; sounds ghey and trivial, but when you SEE that happen, dammit, I was instantly endeared to the game). This title could go the full mile. Its up to Nintendo.

Let me pull out Shane's Crystal Ball (which has been known to have some startling accuracy) and tell you what I see ...

Nintendogs will be THE hot back to school item this fall. Screw the Trapper Keeper. You will be embarrassed NOT to show up at school without one of these. A special DS will come out with Nintendogs as a pack in, selling for $149.99 (the normal DS will drop to $129 or maybe even $99). The shell will have paw prints all over it. Probably come packaged in a 'doggie bag' carrying bag - maybe even shaped like a bone. Maybe even the thumb shield will be shaped like a paw. This thing will be every where in the media and I guarentee you there will be at least ONE commercial or media piece covering it that will be tracked with the song WHO LET THE DOGS OUT (if Nintendo doesn't license that song, they are TOTAL MORONS). There will be scary societies based on these things .... since you can make them play together if you're in wifi range, expect stupid gatherings at Barnes & Nobles or (if they were clever) humane societies and animal shelters (come play with your virutal dogs then take home the real thing - thing writes itself ... imagine "Your nintendogs never die, but little Snoopy here gets the gas in 3 days if someone doesn't adpot him ... call now' ... no problem; its genius). People are going to lose their minds over this. It will put the DS squarely on the map. Virtual pets have NO demographic boundries... no gender boundries ... look, if Sci is nuts over it (and he is the LAST person I expected to be taken in) then Nintendo did it right.

This is Nintendo's brass ring for the DS and if they mess it up, they are fools (they ain't gonna mess it up, trust me).

[Bill_Loguidice]

Interesting take, we'll certainly see. My only concern is the penetration that the DS will have by the time this potential fad goes into full effect - you'll need a lot more DS owners by the time this would hit (the GB Color and GBA systems were out much longer before the Pokemon explosion for instance). Also, you can't underestimate the competition in regards to stealing limelight/thunder--lots of big things are happening over at the Sony and Microsoft camps in the coming months. Timing is absolutely critical, as you can't have much of a phenomena if everyone is distracted by something else.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Well, as everyone is happy to point out, the handheld market and the console market are very different. You can be playing the crap out of your Xbox day and night, and still be interested in the technology available on the new cell phones. When push comes to shove, the Xbox doesn't go with you - a handheld can. You're right - timing is STILL the issue and summer/fall isn't normally when you want to put something out (people are still outside enjoying the nice weather, not inside playing games). But being "on the go" is what portable gaming is all about. I'm going to Disneyworld in July (a whole week!) but I can't IMAGINE my DS not going with me (two, actually :) ) There are going to be down times - and right now World Championship Poker owns my ass lock stock and barrel - at least until I get Puyo Pop and PacPix later today :)

I don't believe console hoopla will affect the DS .. the PSP, definitely - but (using the crystal ball again) Sony will treat the PSP like a console in terms of handling events and marketing - which means it will go for a Christmas push and be calm when the DS waters get muddied. As you said, we'll see.

Gotta have some faith in Nintendo .. they've ruled this roost through some heavy competition and have won every time. I originally thought the DS was a "Windows ME" for the next generation GBA, but now I'm solidly convinced they are making "Touching Good" for the Revolution and its really a springboard for THAT platform.

[Bill_Loguidice]

I don't believe console hoopla will affect the DS .. the PSP, definitely - but (using the crystal ball again) Sony will treat the PSP like a console in terms of handling events and marketing - which means it will go for a Christmas push and be calm when the DS waters get muddied. As you said, we'll see.

Gotta have some faith in Nintendo .. they've ruled this roost through some heavy competition and have won every time. I originally thought the DS was a "Windows ME" for the next generation GBA, but now I'm solidly convinced they are making "Touching Good" for the Revolution and its really a springboard for THAT platform.

I believe console hoopla can affect the DS if an older demographic is distracted by things like the PSP and Xbox 360. As the industry becomes ever more monstrous, having a population of gamers consisting mostly of children is not the ultimate recipe for success anymore.

And the competition was never like Sony in handhelds. You bring up an interesting point though and one that I overlooked in our discussions above, the next iteration of the GameBoy line. We know it's in the works and it may come out as early as 2006. If that's the case, I wonder if Nintendo will do a direct strike against Sony and their PSP feature-wise? (I doubt it, but you never know) I think we'll be better able to assess the future of the DS after Holiday 2005, when the PSP hype will be fully ramped up and they'll lock horns over Christmas. By then, the PSP will also have been out a few months over in Europe as well. It would take a nice fad and a killer app for the DS to maintain momentum and stay on top, but it would be a shame for Nintendo itself to kill off the DS early because of the GBA Xtreme. It's also not in Nintendo's best interest to try and maintain all of those platforms - they have enough challenge maintaining decent third party support for what they have.

I've heard some interesting things about the Revolution, most of which I'll believe when I see it. If Nintendo can execute, I believe something different CAN make a difference in the marketplace. So far the DS is a difference waiting to happen and I don't see prospects improving all that much. Already Yoshi Touch and Go is receiving lukewarm reviews. Frankly, I don't know what it would take to get the DS noticed and noticed in time to both fend off Sony and not distract Nintendo's focus onto newer projects.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I don't believe (crystal ball'ing it) there will be another GBA until 2007. The April Fool's rumors about a new GBA by 2006 were already debunked by Nintendo.

Everyone says "Oh, its Sony, so its different." Nah. It's been similar worthy competitors (C'mon, ATARI!??) and many others have fallen (like the Game.COM .. BAHAHHAAHHAHA sorry, sometimes I have to throw it in for myself).

Granted, Sony ain't gonna let them stay asleep at the wheel. Nintendo's enjoyed a long reign of light-to-no competition. But let's be honest - ain't no one knocked them down yet. Despite the Zodiacs, the Palms, EVEN MS'S WINCE handhelds - no one has managed to claim any significant portion of the market. They better keep an eye open though - or convergence will sneak up and bite them in the ass.

I'm guessing (more crystal ball) that Play Yen will be the DS's big Christmas outing (first party of course).

Don't discount the DS yet. I, too, as an early adopter have been skeptical at times whether or not this bad boy was going to make it. Then I started seeing things like Meteos, Golden Eye (still can't believe the movies), Nintendogs, Age of Empires, Kirby (which is gonna rule), Need for Speed, Mario Kart ... slow, to be sure ... but its coming in droves now. The rest of the year looks reassuring. I think that developers are simply unsure how to develop for it yet, and taking a very cautious approach to development. The DS has the numbers to keep the developers in line - I'm not too worried.

Honestly, the only really BAD game to come out for the DS (I don't count Ping Pals) is Retro Atari (man, that's bad) and Asphalt GT is questionable. The rest have been pretty good (and dammit if I don't own them all). Wait, Robots ... forgot about that. :) A lot of people think there isn't anything available for the DS, but my phat carrying case and maxed up credit card say otherwise :)

[Shane R. Monroe]

BTW, Yoshi kicks ass .. its old school gaming which is why it gets those reviews.

[Bill_Loguidice]

Everyone says "Oh, its Sony, so its different." Nah. It's been similar worthy competitors (C'mon, ATARI!??) and many others have fallen (like the Game.COM .. BAHAHHAAHHAHA sorry, sometimes I have to throw it in for myself).

Atari of 1989 was not the Atari of the late 70's, early 80's. It was a shell of its former self - long since devalued both in perception and finances - on the long and winding road to oblivion, much like Commodore. That to me is the difference. Even Sega was not financially stable enough to be proper competition with the Game Gear over the long term (short term it did have an impact). No, the PSP is just good enough with the presence to be a serious and long term threat. That's the difference. This is no SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color here.


Granted, Sony ain't gonna let them stay asleep at the wheel. Nintendo's enjoyed a long reign of light-to-no competition. But let's be honest - ain't no one knocked them down yet. Despite the Zodiacs, the Palms, EVEN MS'S WINCE handhelds - no one has managed to claim any significant portion of the market. They better keep an eye open though - or convergence will sneak up and bite them in the ass.

Zodiacs, Palms, Pocket PC's? Not the right class of devices. The iPod kicks ass in sales, but has nothing to do with handheld gaming. Again, the PSP is the first serious competition and the right type of device. Just because it's a covergence device doesn't mean a thing as long as its first function is games. The PS2 and Xbox proved that.


I'm guessing (more crystal ball) that Play Yen will be the DS's big Christmas outing (first party of course).

It would be great if something called "Play Yen" was a big hit. ;-)


I think that developers are simply unsure how to develop for it yet, and taking a very cautious approach to development. The DS has the numbers to keep the developers in line - I'm not too worried.

From the developers that I spoke to, most DS development has been outsourced and the main focus is on PSP. I don't know if the only factor is the unusual hardware itself. We'll see though. As I said, holiday 2005 will be key. Once the numbers are in, we'll know if the PSP influences the DS and vice-versa. Hell, there have been three viable consoles for a whole generation, so why not two viable handhelds? It would certainly fall into line with the continued expansion of the industry.

As for me? I own neither the DS or PSP myself and have had only about an hour or so of hands-on time with each. I like the potential in the DS design and drool over the PSP's screen. None of the games so far make me have to have either one. However, I'm targeting getting a PSP for my birthday in October if by then it becomes unbundled, an Xbox 360 either for Christmas or I'll outright buy one (assuming it's not a big hassle and there are games I want) and a DS for Christmas (or outright buy if there's a nice deal). A lot can change between now and those target dates, and a lot will depend on the software. Certainly if some of the pending DS titles you mentioned above come out and work well, that can change a lot.

[sci]

Nintendogs is the key to Nintendo's survival in the handheld market. Will Nintendo's "cute" beat sony's "cool" ? We'll see.

[Bill_Loguidice]

Nintendogs is the key to Nintendo's survival in the handheld market. Will Nintendo's "cute" beat sony's "cool" ? We'll see.

For Nintendo's sake, that better not be true. As with anything, I think diversification, enough quality software and taking advantage of the hardware is key. Nintendogs sounds great and all, and it may be a big fad, but it certainly won't expand the system into other age groups or demographics. That's something the PSP has less of a hurdle with. It's much easier to tap into the kid market coming from adults than the reverse.

[sci]

here's a post i found on a messageboard i frequent, this is from an american that lives in Japan doing translation work for big companies over there.



I had another passer-by contact today, so I'm going to try this a lot more often from now on. I put the DS in passer-by mode before I left the house for work, and on my journey to work, Chiharu's Labrador Retriever, Inui, visited. He was a cute little fellow, wearing a pair of sunglasses. He brought me a present too! A pulling rope toy. I'll let Drinky play with it later. In return, I gave a Mushroom toy. Chiharu is a pro-trainer though, so she probably already has one... oh, and she left me a voice message "Please be nice to Inui."

...and people say there is no community in this game. I weep for them :'(

Between the office and the station, I had already made contact with some guy called Tetsuya. His dog gave me a useless photograph, so I stuck it back in passer-by mode and decided to give the photo to my next visitor. Get to Shibuya and in the first shop, I noticed I had another visitor. This one left me a blue collar. Nice, I only have red and black in my shop. Stick it back in passer-by mode and go to the download kiosk - Utada's dog pops up straight away. It comes with a present - a nintendogs record - and also adds a new option to the reform shop - Japanese room. I didn't have chance to check either of them out, as I saved and reset my DS to download the Goemon demo. I'll have to let you know what they are like later.

[...]

Yep, exactly. You set up your passer-by mode. You give your dog a present to carry, then he starts to walk around town on your top screen and the bottom screen says "Searching... you can close your DS if you want". When a passer-by is detected, their dog will appear on the top screen with your dog. It'll run to you and bring a present when you open your DS. After you've opened the present, it'll play with your dog, and you can call them both to you and play with them if you want. It's really neat, and it avoids the potential embarrassment of playing a handheld game in public because people can swap dogs while the DS remains in their bag / pocket. Ingenious.


If that doesn't scream killer app for the DS, I dont know what will.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I'm so excited now ... my nipples are hard. Dayom, I can't wait.

[Bill_Loguidice]

Yes, it sounds great, but do you really expect adults to be carrying DS' around on the train and playing this game against each other? Culturally, Japan is obviously very different than the US. I can see adults using the PSP because it can pass as a hip multimedia device, but the DS and a dog sim? It's a matter of perception as much as anything here. It would be nice if everyone felt comfortable enough to walk around with a portable game device, but society really doesn't allow that. Some, like Shane, can say hell with it, and pull it out in public, but others have something of a hang-up. I think that's more true than not. It's easier for me to tote my cell phone or PDA around and play games on that than it is for me to use my GBA SP. I would consider a PSP, but would have reservations about a DS. Having that particular game on the DS wouldn't help. Just my two cents and I would love to be wrong and see a societal paradigm shift...

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

My copy hasn't been delivered yet, oh well thats what you get for free shipping.

But they've started to release Nintendogs releated accesories yah :D

Nintendogs Personal pouch and bag (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=252&products_id=6885&) I wouldn't mind getting the beige pouch on the other page it looks great.

http://image.lik-sang.com/images//170/nds-nintendogs-mini-plushes-three-english-trades.jpg

ahh look how cute they are :p and they even come with a little paw to clean your screens

Nintendogs plush (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=299&products_id=6881&)

[RetroZelda88]

Looks good to me.

Not just another Virtual Pet. Maybe this app can teach those who may want to adopt a pet later on in life. Pretty Responsive. Does it support Wi-Fi. Adopt and trade pets across the world?

[Shane R. Monroe]

Yes, it sounds great, but do you really expect adults to be carrying DS' around on the train and playing this game against each other? Culturally, Japan is obviously very different than the US. I can see adults using the PSP because it can pass as a hip multimedia device, but the DS and a dog sim? It's a matter of perception as much as anything here. It would be nice if everyone felt comfortable enough to walk around with a portable game device, but society really doesn't allow that. Some, like Shane, can say hell with it, and pull it out in public, but others have something of a hang-up. I think that's more true than not. It's easier for me to tote my cell phone or PDA around and play games on that than it is for me to use my GBA SP. I would consider a PSP, but would have reservations about a DS. Having that particular game on the DS wouldn't help. Just my two cents and I would love to be wrong and see a societal paradigm shift...

Hey, we're in a world where people wear iPods that don't have batteries in them. All bets are off.

I see SPs in public all the time. Hell, I saw Dr. House playing one one HOUSE MD the other day. Saw them at Red Robin the other day.

When the DS does things that adults like, they will whip it out. When you can get goddamn sports scores or stream porn on it - trust me; there will be support and use in public.

Still, the crystal ass ball of mine is cloudy. I dunno where this will go.

Still - I've yet to see a PSP in public. But I see lots of SPs and I've seen several DSs ... what does that mean? That I'm more likely to go somewhere where I'll see a GBA/DS? I don't think so ...

[Shane R. Monroe]

I'll be curious how it all plays out.

[Bloodcat]

Im a sucker for experiments so Ill probably pick Nintendogs up.
I don't suppose Pyranees (sp?) and Siberian Huskies are available breeds?

[Shane R. Monroe]

I think the huskies are ... let me find a list...

[sci]

They will be changing some breeds for the american release, since certain breeds of dogs are pretty much only popular in Japan and rarely seen in america

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

My copy arrived this morning after after a £13 customs/tax charge thanks royal mail.

Sci is absolutly spot on with his review, the first thing i said when i started playing the game was 'oh crap im not going to understand this' but it soon becomes alot easier with icons being displayed next to the text plus i got a decent guide from IGN.

Someone at nintendo must have spent alot of time with real dogs studying them because the movement and behavoiur is very accurate. Taking the dog for a walk is a joy and alot more interactive than i thought it would be also the range of items even at the early stage is good i like the bubbles that you use the microphone to blow.

The tricks side of things takes some getting used to as you have to repeat the command several times and it can be the case that the dog is in the process of learning several new tricks at the same time. I fudged up the shake hands trick rather than the little fella putting his paw out towards me he tucks it under his body (any way to change it?)

Great game and well worth importing dont let the japanese text put you off .

[Zaphod]

Every time I see Nintendogs I can't help but smile. I will probably pick it up. I only wish they had Cocker Spaniels, as they are my favorite breed.

[Shane R. Monroe]

I'm no fan of virtual pets. However, this sort of thing is like any other SIMULATION. The closer it is to absolute reality, the more value there is in it.

Racing games ... good example. Me, personally, I can't stand any racing game where you're not running people off the road, getting powerups, or otherwise playing in a fantasy environment. To me, the concept of Nascar racing is pointless. You race around an oval track in a car with no weapons. Sh*t, that sounds like more WORK than fun. Gran Turismo. can't endorse it. Why? Because there is nothing fun about it. Its pure, simulation racing. However, it does really well ... why? Maybe because it looks pretty. Maybe because some people are totally into simulation.

For me, simulation has to be 99% real before its fun. Microsoft Flight Simulator. How fun was that? Wasn't to me. But pilots and their ilk thought it was the SHIZNITZ. Because it was SO ACCURATE that it did JUSTICE to their line of work.

Virtual pets, by and large, and NOT realistic simulators. The animals aren't real enough. Their needs and quirks aren't real enough. Its a WANNA BE simulator.

When you get to the point where you're EMULATING vs SIMULATING, that's when things get better. Nintendogs, I think, is the FIRST time that virtual pets have ever come close to EMULATING real animals (from what I've read). They've apparently managed to cross the line where the game is realistic enough that it bridges the gap between wanna be simulation and almost realistic emulation. And what's more - they've done it with an "underpowered" handheld. Good for them!

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

your right, the gulf in quality and accuracy between nintendogs and for example dogz needs to be made very clear by the guys at nintendo otherwise some people may view it as being just another virtual pet.

Its amazing how many the things the dog reacts to, for example somtimes you hear a car going past your house and the dog will turn round to look.

Im really suprised at just how well the voice commands work almost perfect every time. He dosn't know many tricks yet but he's getting there.

As shane and others have said get the marketing right and this is gonna be huge.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Man, this is one time I'd actually LIKE to be part of marketing at Nintendo. The US version ships in August (just in time for back to school - didn't I say that would happen too?) and if they play their cards right, you will be embarrased to NOT have one of these guys. Make Furby look like chump change.

I'll quote Romy and Michelle again for those that didn't read the early part of the thread ... "I could sell the Sh*t out of these things".

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

One of the best things about nintendogs is that its not random, let me give you an example. If you've got a dog in real life you probebly take him for a walk roughly the same time every day.

So you start to see the same dogs every day and learn which ones your dog gets on with. Its the same with nintendogs there's one dog who i will always try to avoid because it scares my dog (what am i on) so i avoid that route.

I also see the same dogs at the park and play frisbee with them. Same with scent the dog wont just sniff randomly you look at the top screen and see scent marks which your dog will then replace and make it its territory. I think this is another element that makes this game far removed from the neo pets, dogz etc


Edit: I dont know about you but i've been struggling with some of the japanese charecters in the Tricks competition so i thought this might help.

http://www.medwaypvb.com/images/nintendogs/japanese4.gif

[Shane R. Monroe]

Dammit ... WHERE IS AUGUST!???? I WANT MY DAMN NINTENDOGS IN ENGLISH!

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Dammit ... WHERE IS AUGUST!???? I WANT MY DAMN NINTENDOGS IN ENGLISH!

Yeah its easy to get on with the japanese for the most part but there are somtimes when you feel like your missing out on somthing.

[sci]

Nintendogs is a perfect emulation of having a dog. I like how each dog have their own different personality. My sister is still playing a few times a day, and she has 3 dogs now. One (Anouk) of them is pretty courageous and more intelligent than the other two. The second one (Boston) is a trouble maker, always start crap with the first one and annoys him; yet when she takes it outside, he's scared of every other dog. The third dog (Turbo), the youngest, kinda tag alone with the trouble maker but is a very calm, quiet dog.

Last week, my sister couldnt sleep, so she booted the DS, and what did she she? Turbo and Anouk were sleeping, while kept kept walking around, barking randomly. Then he started poking Anouk, waking her up, and they started chasing each others around the room until Turbo woke up. It was pretty funny.

I really wish that dogs would "age", aka get bigger and more adult, to eventually die. I guess that Nintendo didnt want people attaching themselves to them and having to deal with kids crying because their virtual dog died of old age, but still it would have been better.

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

I really wish that dogs would "age", aka get bigger and more adult, to eventually die. I guess that Nintendo didnt want people attaching themselves to them and having to deal with kids crying because their virtual dog died of old age, but still it would have been better.

yeah same here its one of the few parts of the game which isn't realistic apart from the cake shaped crap that you throw up into the air. I remeber some really weird stuff when the tamagotchi died people would set up cemertaries and then the public would pay to bury them.

I've only got the one dog at the moment im waiting to unlock a beagle see how accurate they got the behavoir.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Im a sucker for experiments so Ill probably pick Nintendogs up.
I don't suppose Pyranees (sp?) and Siberian Huskies are available breeds?

Congratulations! Huskies WILL be in the US version ....

Nintendo will release the US version of Nintendogs this August. Like the Japanese editions, the North American release of Nintendogs will ship in three different packages, each with its own beginner set of six canine breeds. There will be a total of 18 breeds of dogs, compared to the original Japanese version's 15. Nintendogs: Labrador Retriever will contain the miniature schnauzer, toy poodle, Pembroke Welsh corgi, miniature pinscher and shiba inu. Nintendogs: Chihuahua will contain the German shepherd, boxer, cavalier King Charles spaniel, Yorkshire terrier and Shetland sheepdog. Nintendogs: Miniature Dachshund will have the golden retriever, beagle, pug, Siberian husky and Shih Tzu. The Boxer, Husky and Golden Retriever puppies are exclusive to the US version. Nintendogs enables Nintendo DS owners to raise and train virtual puppies using the touch screen and microphone of the DS hardware. Players will then be able to place their dogs in special competitions, and trade dog data and treats between owners on other Nintendo DS systems via wireless connectivity. Nintendogs ships on August 22.

[Zaphod]

Hmmm... don't know what version to get: Chihuahua or Miniature Dachsund

[Shane R. Monroe]

Nintendogs: Chihuahua for me! :)

Shame the Airdale isn't in there ... I'd LOVE to have a little Airdale Terrier

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Gamespot's Nintendogs diary (http://www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/nintendogschihuahuaandfriends/preview_6130352.html?q=1&tag=gs_ds_flashtop_read)

Looks like there really going for Nintendogs, great stuff.

[Shane R. Monroe]

"VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY GOES TO THE DOGS – LITERALLY REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 1, 2005 – With sales of a quarter of a million units in its first week of availability, Nintendogs™ is not only America's hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new game franchise ever for a portable system. Retailers already are reporting that Nintendogs, made exclusively for the hand-held Nintendo DS™, has sold out in numerous locations across the country, and Nintendo will deliver more shipments as soon as possible. The three versions of Nintendogs and the DS unit itself consistently rank at the top of Amazon.com's best-selling list of all video game products. "Nearly 15 percent of all DS owners bought Nintendogs in just a week, a virtually unprecedented adoption rate for any title on an established system," said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "And it's also helping sell new DS hardware. Coupled with a price drop to $129.99, retailers are reporting DS sales up between one and a half and three times previous levels, and last week DS comfortably outsold our portable competitors." Nintendogs lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the DS system's touch screen and microphone. It became a cultural phenomenon in Japan and launched in the United States on Aug. 22. People who like traditional hard-core video games have plenty to enjoy as well. Retailers also report that the new Advance Wars®: Dual Strike military strategy game for Nintendo DS has become one of Nintendo's top sellers."

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Dayom!!!™®© Shane R. Monroe enterprises 2005

I was looking at the US multiformat video game chart yesterday and couldn't believe it, 4 DS games in the top 10, no PSP games in the top 10.

3 of those 4 were the various nintendogs releases the fourth Advance wars DS (great to see that there)

[Galaga will never die]

best-selling new game franchise ever for a portable system.

bigger than the original Pokemon launch for Gameboy?

[Flare]

It's funny... I just looked at Amazon's Top Sellers list for Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/new-for-you/top-sellers/-/videogames/all/ref=pd_ts_vg_nav/103-4974740-6642259).

Number 2 on the list is the PSP; Number 3, 4 and 10 are Nintendogs titles ; and the first PSP title ranks at place Number 93 (Namco Museum Battle Collection)

This clearly indicates that people are not buying the PSP for gaming... although that may change soon when Ghouls And Ghosts (http://game-science.com/news/001175.php) gets released (man I'm still drooling over that)

[Shane R. Monroe]

Dayom!!!™®© Shane R. Monroe enterprises 2005

I was looking at the US multiformat video game chart yesterday and couldn't believe it, 4 DS games in the top 10, no PSP games in the top 10.

3 of those 4 were the various nintendogs releases the fourth Advance wars DS (great to see that there)
Yeah, amazing stuff right?

It wouldn't stun me at all to see PSP game developers start sliding off the map slowly over the next year. Sony themselves are shooting themselves in the foot by issuing public statements that your new $300 toy is really just a video capable iPod.

What are they thinking? From what I understand, it requires NO LICENSE at all to produce films in UMD. So, where is the money for Sony on the PSP if not to rape developers MS-Xbox style? Are they TRULY believing that PAY-to-play is going to be their savior?

JUST PLAIN not a smart move on Sony's part ... not at all. Nintendo might know what they are doing after all - keeping the Play Yen out of the US right now ...

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Yeah, amazing stuff right?

It wouldn't stun me at all to see PSP game developers start sliding off the map slowly over the next year. Sony themselves are shooting themselves in the foot by issuing public statements that your new $300 toy is really just a video capable iPod.

What are they thinking? From what I understand, it requires NO LICENSE at all to produce films in UMD. So, where is the money for Sony on the PSP if not to rape developers MS-Xbox style? Are they TRULY believing that PAY-to-play is going to be their savior?

I was shocked when I looked at the shelves in game stores, easiley double the amount of movies and yeah what ARE sony doing any other product that sent out those type of confusing mixed messages would have failed but bless them its still selling.


JUST PLAIN not a smart move on Sony's part ... not at all. Nintendo might know what they are doing after all - keeping the Play Yen out of the US right now ...

very interesting point,

[onkelarie]

A funny thing here in the Netherlands with the PSP is that since its launch overhere (september the 1st) the price of ALL PSP games already dropped with 15 euro's.... It seems as if the stores just can't sell a single copy of any game...

Oh, and what I found even more shocking is that a UMD movie costs a whopping 20 euro! That's something like 24 US$....

Nah, I´ll pass on the PSP thang and probably invest in a Nintendo DS...:)

[Shane R. Monroe]

Now appears to be the right time for Joe Everyman to get into DS. A SUPER STRONG Christmas line up, price drop on the hardware, tons of niceties floating around from third party ... I'd say the DS is working out just fine. :)

[Womp]

Am I the only one who has lost MAJOR interest in Nintendogs?

The reviews for this game were dead on in that there really isn't a whole lot to do and frankly I'm at the point where I barely even have the urge to feed and water Sparky these days. Unless you know someone with the game (I don't), collecting items is the only real thing left to do and since you can only walk the dog 3 times a day, even that gets limiting. Besides that, I am frankly sick and tired of finding goddamn juice containers. Its a fun game for a while but....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Shane R. Monroe]

You can walk the dog every thirty minutes ... You can compete in 3 competitions a day.

I haven't mastered anything yet - I haven't done the championship successfully on any tourney, and I can barely place in agility.

I still have a lot to do. Some of the toys you get later kicks ass. My kid game me her remote controlled car - that owns ass .. you use the Dpad and buttos to drive it around the house and the dogs love it.

[Womp]

You can walk the dog every thirty minutes ... You can compete in 3 competitions a day.

I haven't mastered anything yet - I haven't done the championship successfully on any tourney, and I can barely place in agility.

I still have a lot to do. Some of the toys you get later kicks ass. My kid game me her remote controlled car - that owns ass .. you use the Dpad and buttos to drive it around the house and the dogs love it.

Ahh yeah I realized that when I wrote it about the dog walking...But really, I even zone out during those walks these days.

Oh look, its Bear out for a walk....:::oh sorry I dozed off:::

I like the mushroom squeak toy, its got some mean physics...But I wish you didn't have to keep reteaching your dog its tricks, I mean ****, even my REAL dogs remember their tricks on command. :p

I don't know man, I'll probably end up giving it to my sister when she gets a DS. I am just glad I got it free on that trade in.

[ChairoNoMe]

I don't think it's fair to consider Nintendogs a normal game to be reviewed, played, completed, tossed away. If you let it, it can become a part of your life.

As far as not having anyone to play with, have you tried this?
http://www.linkupengine.com/

It's too bad that site is going offline though. Might want to find someone to link up with in your area before it's gone.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Ahh yeah I realized that when I wrote it about the dog walking...But really, I even zone out during those walks these days.

Oh look, its Bear out for a walk....:::oh sorry I dozed off:::

I like the mushroom squeak toy, its got some mean physics...But I wish you didn't have to keep reteaching your dog its tricks, I mean ****, even my REAL dogs remember their tricks on command. :p

I don't know man, I'll probably end up giving it to my sister when she gets a DS. I am just glad I got it free on that trade in.

I can see the novelty wearing off - just hasn't happened for me yet. I'm not rabid about hitting da Pippy three times a day anymore, of course, but I still enjoy my hour or two daily.

My wife has problems with her dog retaining tricks - my dog doesn't have that issue. Must be breed, personality, etc.

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Uk launch of Nintendogs today took a peek in the shops on my way back, GAME are really pushing it quite a lot of people eyeing up the box and the Great looking and good value bundle packs. Also interesting is that Nintendogs has linked up with uk based Dog charity the DogsTrust with some of the profits going to that charity, wonderful. Lots of promotion, adverts, a huge well presented display and educated staff talking about it to customers, great.

Gamestation, They had a new demo unit put in (the screen on the old one had been mauled, no doubt by gimmie's) with a 5 minute nintendogs demo that people could play, a big annoucement and marketing about the &#163;10 price drop related to the Nintendogs bundle, a few posters etc. But here's the thing, You COULDN'T buy the game. But wait its sold out... no more left right? nope I asked and thier not stocking it yet. Damn the release dates today morons get it on the shelf. plus they still havn't got Castlevania or Advance Wars yet. Sad.

[Danny]

Advance Wars came out awhile ago I think, I think it just sold out. (Well Evil Betty has a copy, played it aounr his flat heh.)

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Advance Wars came out awhile ago I think, I think it just sold out. (Well Evil Betty has a copy, played it aounr his flat heh.)

You would have hoped thats the reason for it not being on the shelf but nope, like nintendogs not stocking it yet. I bought it from GAME last week (got £4 off, on the 'loyalty' card though)

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Nintendogs broke in the top 10 Uk sales chart at number 9 with two of the games in the top 20. What I expected really and the chart dosn't look too bad. Its certainly better than two months ago, christ what was THAT all about.

Chart track UK (http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/software/uk/latest/index_test.jsp&ct=110015)

[Shane R. Monroe]

You know ... a lot of people have grown tired of Nintendogs (Womp) and it seems that now that they are tired of it, they are talking it down or even saying BAD things about it.

I'd like to point out that you can get tired of ANY game, but that doesn't take away from what it is or what it was to you in the beginning. How many hours of enjoyment did you get out of Nintendogs before you got tired of it? 10 hours? 20 hours? More? I'd say most people got 20 or more hours of enjoyment out of it. What is that ... a $1.10 an hour if you paid $29.99 for it? Hell man, half the games out there have 5-15 hours of playtime AT BEST with NO replay value at all. This makes Nintendogs a great value and still a great title. Just because you're bored, don't bring it down, man.

By the way ... interesting trivia ... I go to two or three Gamestops regularly. I haven't YET seen a used copy of Nintendogs for sale at any of them.

I think a lot of people aren't getting as much out of the title as they could. Having lost my first dog and had to start over (went from a boxer to a chiuahua) I can definitely attest to the game differences between owning a BIG dog and a LITTLE dog. My boxer couldn't do agility trials worth a crap, where my chiuahua basically runs the whole course without my intervention at all!

I dunno ... just bugs me to see people putting down Nintendogs when they were as hooked on it as everyone else.

[Womp]

You know ... a lot of people have grown tired of Nintendogs (Womp) and it seems that now that they are tired of it, they are talking it down or even saying BAD things about it.

I'd like to point out that you can get tired of ANY game, but that doesn't take away from what it is or what it was to you in the beginning. How many hours of enjoyment did you get out of Nintendogs before you got tired of it? 10 hours? 20 hours? More? I'd say most people got 20 or more hours of enjoyment out of it. What is that ... a $1.10 an hour if you paid $29.99 for it? Hell man, half the games out there have 5-15 hours of playtime AT BEST with NO replay value at all. This makes Nintendogs a great value and still a great title. Just because you're bored, don't bring it down, man.

By the way ... interesting trivia ... I go to two or three Gamestops regularly. I haven't YET seen a used copy of Nintendogs for sale at any of them.

I think a lot of people aren't getting as much out of the title as they could. Having lost my first dog and had to start over (went from a boxer to a chiuahua) I can definitely attest to the game differences between owning a BIG dog and a LITTLE dog. My boxer couldn't do agility trials worth a crap, where my chiuahua basically runs the whole course without my intervention at all!

I dunno ... just bugs me to see people putting down Nintendogs when they were as hooked on it as everyone else.

I don't mean to sound like I am putting it down, it doesn't suck, but at the same time its not a game per say IMO...Although I don't really know WHAT to call it except that its escapist entertainment in your hand (Maybe not escapist because a lot of us actually OWN dogs but you know what I mean). I love what Nintendo was doing with it and I DID enjoy my time with it however there are SOOO many damn games out right now to deal with and its hard to go back and "Go through the motions" everyday which is really what Nintendogs seems to come off as to me. I think if I had someone else to interact with in say Bark Mode I'd be more interested at this point as I know Shane has what? 3 copies of it?...But seriously, at the end of the day there just isn't enough "Meat" to the game to keep me interested when I got Trauma Center, Castlevania, FIFA 06, Puyo Pop Fever and now Pac-Pix that I want to play as well. It got to the point where I got too busy to give a **** if Sparky was pissed that I neglected to feed and water him any given day. I wish Nintendo had made it online so you could at least download updates to maybe new things to do or more maps or new events, ANYTHING because I something like this needs new content to keep it fresh.

I don't think its a bad game and yes, Shane is correct in saying its basically neverending value but I guess I just moved on and got what I felt was enough out of it. I am considering trying a bigger breed though...Maybe that will bring my interest back.

[Demolition Man]

The one thing about Nintendogs from the amount I have played it so far (which is quite a bit as I got four dogs so far) is that every dog even if you end up with more than one of the same breed comes out of the gate different in almost every instance. So even if you end up with, say, two Mini Daschounds (spelling?) due to the personality that the game gives the dog when you select you can end up with different challenges to overcome in each instance.

I've certainly gotten my moneys worth out of Nintendogs and I'm still playing it on a daily basis. There is always something new I'm finding every day with my dogs rather it be new items, new discoverys, and so on and so forth. Nintendogs is the type of game that can only go as far as the amount you put into it. If you give the game enough time then you'll finally start to really appriciate it.

[loket]

Europe loves this dog, Japan sold 1.18 mil and US only 1.5 mil. I personally don't see the big attraction. I tried it, seem okay but the puppy doesn't grow (or can't train it to be vicious guard dog...imagine two DS and dog fights...just kidding). Beside I like cats.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=8193

[yeti]

Just wondering why some people buy the variations of Nintendogs. We have just 1 version, dauschound (sp?) and I personally found it good fun for a good month or so but Ive no intention of buying any more variations of the game

so do you own more than one copy and if so why?

also, has anyone heard of the franchise coming out on the Wii ? just occured to me how cool it would be to play using the controller for so many activities, Im sure Nintendo will be releasing it but I dont recall details

hmm... imagine ACWW wifi playability with the regular Nintendogs... hmm take your dogs on walks in other peoples "towns" etc. that'd be a lot of fun :)

[Womp]

The game has horrible replayability and a month is about the most I found to have gotten out of it as well and I was all for the "Game" and excited to see what it offered. The initial cool factor of the dog's reactions to the touch screen and use of the microphone will hook you in but its very limited in what you can do and once you blow through all the activities (Won the awards etc)you'll be wanting to move onto something new. If I hadn't basically gotten it for free it would not be in my collection and unless its for a child I would not even recommend it. Its not bad overall but don't expect the fun to last long.

[Shane R. Monroe]

From what I hear, the next iteration of Nintendogs will indeed have TONS more functionality.

I'd give the game TWO months. The first month is really damn fun (again, if you count play hours as value, you'll get your $30 out of it), then a couple of weeks of "Hmmm...." and you'll do two weeks of "forced daily upkeep", then you'll unlock the damn thing with the dog trainer program, play with all the unlocked gizmos and environments for another week. Then you're done. Wipe it, loan to friend.

Still, 2 months is better than a "weekend and finish" PS2 renter.

[nazzar]

I never got any of the nintendog games but if I see the game dirt cheap anywhere im sure i'll pick up a copy. But at the moment im saving my pennys for the new Super Mario Bros or Metroid Prime Hunters.....still undecided.

[yeti]

yes, it was lot of fun and we got our moneys worth out of it cause it was a freebie in the DS bundles over here

i'd go as far to suggest that if Nintendo dont take advantage of the wifi possibilities with Nintendogs... then I will go buy Elf Bowling and post pictures of me playing it :D

[Shane R. Monroe]

BAHAHAHAhAHA!

The bark mode is fun - esp if you travel or go out in public - because you can leave your system in bark mode and if another dog comes "near" you in bark mode, they will interact with each other (bringing toys, etc).

Certain wifi would have been THE BOMB for doing things like playing the park with a bunch of humans and their dogs.

I'm sure Nintendo won't waste the op again now that the WFC is up.

[nukinetix]

The thing to remember is that Nintendogs is not designed as a traditional game and definitely not meant for what we call hardcore gamers. Trying to evaluate it as such is weird and pointless.

Most people can have a few minutes of fun with it, yes, but it's definitely not comparable with, nor in the same league as, traditional videogames.

[yeti]

hmm but its because its exactly the opposite of "traditional" since the interaction is done using things e.g. stylus, mic which arent used in "traditional" games that make it different and interesting

for me, a lot of the fun came from that level of interaction which i'd not experienced before. the extra "collecting" and training/competitions elements are all standard gameplay affair but they contain enough of a hook

[Womp]

hmm but its because its exactly the opposite of "traditional" since the interaction is done using things e.g. stylus, mic which arent used in "traditional" games that make it different and interesting

for me, a lot of the fun came from that level of interaction which i'd not experienced before. the extra "collecting" and training/competitions elements are all standard gameplay affair but they contain enough of a hook

Don't get him started....

:rolleyes:

[Shane R. Monroe]

My god ... you said "collect" ... the "Gotta catch them all" lecture is coming ... can't you sense it? In the air ...?

[yeti]

:eek:

i have err... sinned!

[nazzar]

My god ... you said "collect" ... the "Gotta catch them all" lecture is coming ... can't you sense it? In the air ...?
You think thats air your breathing?

[nukinetix]

I wouldn't say it's the opposite of traditional gaming - but it's certainly a different thing. Any comparisons are pointless.

Even the pokemon series are significantly different from Nintendogs - the "collect'em all" hook is not a differentiating factor; it's been an integral part of videogames (and I mean REAL videogames, not interactive toys) since Mario aimed for the stars :D

If you ask me, I think completely novel kinds of interactive entertainment are on the horizon - advanced AI, voice recognition, emotional voice synthesis, dynamic/procedural dramatic content, augmented reality. Think a participatory form of "desperate housewives" where you get to be IN the drama -- with nothing prescripted!

[capybara554321]

Just puttin it out there so they can update it
here is the box art
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d6/NintendogsBestFriends.jpg

[Nezker]

I've never even heard of this one.
http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/919097b.jpg
gamestop is selling it used.

[billwabo]

I think it was a bundle with a DS if i'm not mistaken.

[Shane R. Monroe]

Originally bundled with a DS pack, then released alone.

[Womp]

As far as I know it was never released on its own in the US and was only available in the DS Nintendogs "Best Friends" bundles that came out late last year near Christmas. Those 2 DS's were 2 exclusive colors at the time and the only change I believe in the Best Friends edition of the game was that all the dogs were unlocked from the start?

http://dsmedia.ign.com/ds/image/article/652/652703/nintendogs-holiday-edition-20050921050352142-000.jpg

[alexjlopez]

I think it was two or three dogs from each other version to start and the rest would unlock similar through game progression.

[Shane R. Monroe]

.... because you ... could die tomorrow...

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8890/0624081237alm8.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7209/0624081237sd0.jpg

[Demolition Man]

I might have to get that Howl With Me Pup. ;)

[Darksol]

I love capitalism. Seriously, this is good marketing.

[jellyworld]

I think Nintendo is taking a chance with this one too...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q213/jellyworld/NintendogsTax.jpg

[TechMaster]

I think Nintendo is taking a chance with this one too...

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q213/jellyworld/NintendogsTax.jpg

Lol. Good one jelly. :)

[Demolition Man]

Now only if we get Nintendogs on the Wii..... :D

[Flare]

Saw these in the clearance bin at K-Mart.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4447/nintendogscards1.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1632/nintendogscards2.jpg

[Solarpolitiks]

Saw these in the clearance bin at K-Mart.

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4447/nintendogscards1.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1632/nintendogscards2.jpg

My local WalMart had those. I don't think anybody bought any of them :P

[alexjlopez]

Months from now when they're gone from clearance, people will pay big money for these on ebay hehehehe.

[Flare]

Nintendogs Blamed for Child Mauling (http://digg.com/story/r/nintendogs_blamed_for_child_mauling)

Megan Walker was mauled by Saracen, a bull mastiff, while playing the game at a friend's house. The dog dragged Megan from the sofa and sank its teeth into the girl's face, removing her lip. The attack has been attributed to the barking sounds emanating from the Nintendo DS when playing Nintendogs.