Nintendogs is it a game? is it a pet simulator? Neither, It is more an interactive pet experience. Nintendogs lets you choose from over fifteen different types of puppies to take home, train, play with, care for and grow to love. Teach your Nintendog tricks, enter them into competitions and take them on walks around the neighborhood. Basically the premise of the game is to love a puppy. That's a frighteningly easy thing to do.  The younger element of the DS fan club will absolutely adore this game, especially the young lassies out there. 

Nintendo seem to have spent a lot of time studying the behaviour of real dogs. Their movements and behavior are accurate, almost to the point that it's spooky. This loving attention to detail makes the experience a genuine part of your life. Nintendogs will leap out of the screen and become something you think about all day, even for non-gamers. You'll run home after work or school just to feed your dogs. They'll greet you with wagging tails and cute, wet-nosed grins. In other words, it's fun

How's Your Day?

Your time in Nintendogs will be divided by caring for your dogs (feeding, bathing, walking), playing with them (throwing soccer balls, using the bubble blower), training them with verbal commands, and entering them into competitions. Your typical dog day is filled with things to do.

As soon as you fall out of bed in the morning and turn on your DS, the puppies will see you and come running. Real time and game time are the same, so your puppies will act accordingly. First, check to see if they're hungry or thirsty. How about an early morning walk? Grab your leash and trace a path around the neighborhood, crossing beach-side views and parks to meet other dogs and maybe even find a surprise or two. And  be sure to bag any 'gifts' your dog leaves on the sidewalk.

When you get home, your dog might be dirty. Grab a comb and some shampoo, it's time for a bath! Nintendogs are remarkably easy to bathe compared to non-virtual dogs. It adds to their charm and gives you a real sense of acheivement when they wag their tail to show their appreciation.

Three different competitions offer a variety of stylus workouts and challenges for both you and your puppy. Disc throwing, the agility course and obedience trials are your options. Different breeds fare better on different trials, but a little training gives them a nudge in the right direction. Depending on how well you perform you can earn some hefty sacks of cash. Use it to buy dog food, get another puppy, or even to remodel your home!

Summary

Nintendogs is designed as a pick-up-and-play game. Each dog can enter only three competitions per day and walks must be spaced out in 30 minute intervals. Because of this the game is best played sparodically throughout the day.  Maybe, as a back-up to other games on your Nintendo DS.

Nintendogs owners are as boastful and attached to their pets as real dog owners. Each puppy has a unique personality which develops over time as your ability to care for your Nintendog develops.  The Nintendo DS touch screen lets you fall into the game, while voice interaction makes you feel like you have a real dog and just like a real dog, you will fall in love with it and the game.