"Requires a lot of time, but a very charming game"

As a dog lover who can't have a real dog, this had tremendous appeal for me. It offers all the fun of a puppy, and some of the headaches. And, much like a real puppy, your pixellated pooch requires a lot of time and devotion...

Note that while I own the Dachshund and Friends version, this review applies just easily to the Lab, Chihuahua, and Dalmatian versions--the only real differences are the artwork, the order in which you unlock dogs, and some items exclusive to each version.

Graphics: 9/10

This game has some of the best graphics I've yet seen in a DS game. The puppies look very good, though not quite photo-realistic. You may well want to jump into the DS! Only a few minor hiccups--choppy backgrounds, leashes that seem to grow out of puppies' heads, puppies that appear to be eating the dish rather than the food, and symmetrical patterns in almost every puppy's coat--keep the game from getting a 10 in this regard.

Sound: 9/10

The soundtrack sounds quite good on the DS's tiny little speakers. Each puppy has a distinctive voice, and they also let out pleased little moans from time to time. The brushes make a whooshing noise when you're brushing the pup, and birds, sirens, and other city sounds can be heard in the background. Only some very repetitive music prevents a 10 here, though it does serve a purpose; listening to the subtle changes can alert you to something important. Oh, and there are music boxes and records for you to play, some of which make the puppies exhibit interesting behavior...

Gameplay: 10/10

You start the game with $1,000 and a few supplies. Of course, your first step is to go buy yourself a dog! (I concur with gamefaqs user Muk1000, who suggests you buy the version that initially offers your favorite breed.) Once you take the little guy (or girl) home, you'll have to wait a while before coming up with a name, and teaching your new friend his/her name and how to sit. Some dogs will pick up on this very quickly, while others are absolute rocks and seemingly refuse to learn how to do anything. It's a crapshoot as to how your dog will behave.

Once this is done, you can go for a walk. This involves tracing a route on the touch screen, and then actually going for a walk. Ideally, you'll pass through as many of the question-marked squares as possible, and keep an eye out for hidden presents and garbage. You'll want to do this as soon as possible, as it allows you to find items and go to the park or gym to practice for competitions. There are also two discount stores that you can visit--they sell the same supplies as the pet supply store, and also some other items,at much cheaper prices--but your puppy will have to build up stamina before you can buy anything there...it's a bit of a walk!

Your virtual dog will require some care, just like a real puppy. He'll get hungry, thirsty, and dirty. Food and drink (you can give your pup milk and water, thus the use of the word "drink") are easy enough: a couple taps on the touch screen, and you're good to go. Brushing and bathing require you to use the stylus; same deal with petting your dog.

Now would be a good time to mention that the game is played almost exclusively with the stylus. Only a few toys--which you'll get to much later in the game--require use of the buttons; other than that, the buttons only change camera angles. The game makes excellent use of the stylus, and it's very intuitive--I've experienced very little hesitation between my input and the game's response. The microphone is also put to good use...just set it to high sensitivity when the Go Out option appears.

$1,000 might seem like a lot of money, but you'll need more, especially when over half your wad goes to buy your first puppy. You earn money by selling unwanted items or entering competitions. There are three types of competitions: flying disc competitions (tossing a Frisbee), obedience trials (testing how well your dog responds to your commands), and agility trials (an obstacle course). Flying disc competitions and agility trials require that you practice at the park and gym, respectively, before you may enter. You won't earn all that much money at first, but a championship-caliber dog can earn $1,000 for placing first in agility trials. Each dog can enter three competitions a day, so that's $3,000 a day--with one dog!

The game is real-time, which can present a bit of a problem. If you neglect your dog too long, he'll get filthy, famished, and parched, and might well run away from home. Some dogs can rest at the Dog Hotel, but they can only take care of five of your dogs at any one time. There is no way to put the game into--for want of better term--hibernation, but this is a minor problem, as the game really only requires about an hour of your time a day.

You earn points throughout the game, though I haven't quite figured out the system. I do know that each minute spent with your dog gets you one point, and contest wins get you about 100 points. The only way I know of to lose points is by neglecting your duty to clean up after your dog. As your points increase, you unlock new dog breeds and new decors for your house. (You must have one killer job in this Utopian world, for the money you earn in the game gets spent only on dogs, pet supplies, and remodeling your house.) Some items will appear for purchase in the pet supply and discount stores as your points increase, as well.

All this takes a while, but you'll learn some things while working your way up there!

Multiplayer: N/A

Though there is a function called Bark Mode, I use it primarily for getting rid of spare semi-desirable and desirable items. You and your friend don't necessarily see the same thing, so I don't consider this a true multiplayer mode.

Replay value: N/A

This game doesn't end. Therefore, no score is given here.

Buy, borrow, or rent?

And here's where we get to a sticking point. I don't suggest borrowing this game for any length of time, as dogs you don't train might not respond too well to your voice (I got my copy used, so I had this problem.) I'm not sure if anyone would have this available for rent as of the writing of this review (5 April 2008). This game is definitely not for everyone, so you might want to borrow it for an hour or so, if possible, before making your decision. Failing that, a used copy might be a better option if you're unsure if this is game is for you. If you know what you're getting into, then by all means, buy it.

Final thoughts

Though this game isn't a substitute for the real thing, it does remarkably well for what it is. It gives a pretty accurate representation of what owning a puppy is like. I can see it being used to give a child an idea if he/she really wants to take the bad of puppy ownership with the good. And it's pretty fun for us adults, too...just don't neglect it too long.

Final score

Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Gameplay: 10/10

9+9+10=28

28/3=9.3

Rounded down for a final score of 9--not perfect, but close enough!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/07/08

Game Release: Nintendogs: Dachshund and Friends (US, 08/22/05)