Nintendogs

Ya know, I read the other day that the DS has sold over six million units worldwide while the PSP has only sold two million. Yes, I know they haven't launched the PSP in Europe yet. But there's no way that our friends across the Atlantic are going to buy four million PSPs. Keep your emails at home people, I like the PSP too, but my point is, even though the DS is outselling it's Sony rival, there still seems to be that "one" game that neither system has released - you know, the one everyone has to have. The one that sells systems because it's so good. Well sorry Sony fans, your game has not been released for the PSP yet, but for the owners of the Nintendo DS, your time has arrived.

Most people like puppies, many love them for their innocence and playful personalities. Sure there are people out there that don't care for dogs, but only a select few actually hate and despise them. If you are buying this game, chances are you like dogs. 

"Betcha can't breed just one!"  

Nintendogs is probably the most well-rounded DS game out there, using all of the unique functions that make the DS great, players start off the game by selecting a puppy from one of several breeds. Initially, there are three puppies in each breed, each with their own personality traits. Some puppies are outgoing and friendly, while others are selfish and stubborn. Each puppy temperament provides it's own unique set of training issues but their end results can be rewarding. Once you have selected your puppy, you will bring it home and start to bond with it. Using the stylus and touch pad you scratch the puppy's ears and rub its belly in order to welcome the puppy into your home and make it feel safe. To be perfectly honest with you, I was at a local game store a couple of weeks ago where they had a demo of the game going. I let my four-year-old son play with the stylus during the belly rubbing phase and I don't know if I have ever seen my boy so engrossed in anything in his short life. It became so addictive to him in such a short amount of time that he cried for ten minutes after I pried him away from the thing. Luckily there was a Nintendogs pamphlet that the clerk gave him in order to quell his crying. My point, this game can really get you addicted very quickly.

 
"As if they could get any cuter."

Next, the game allows you to take advantage of the in-play microphone by naming your dog and repeatedly calling it by its name till it understands you. As you continue through the game you are encouraged to train your dog and teach it tricks so the use of the mic is not a one-time deal. You will be calling out commands to your dog as well as its name; aAgain, taking full advantage of the DS's tricks. As you continue to work with your dog, you will find that once you have brought a puppy into your home, it does require love and constant attention. In fact neglecting the puppy and not playing with it on a regular basis will breed the kind of dog we don't want. I guess you could say that this is a real test for anyone wanting to get a new puppy. "If you don't feed your DS, Billy, how can your mother and I trust you with a real dog?" Like a real puppy, your DS dog can only take so much training and playing before it will tire and you need to let it rest. You will find that a half hour is often needed between walks otherwise your dog will simply not want to do anything. It is a baby after all. This also brings in a different style of gameplay, short bursts of play as opposed to marathon-long gaming.

The more you work with your dog the healthier and stronger it becomes allowing for longer play time and training. You will eventually find yourself walking around to parks and training facilities. Go to the park and begin your Frisbee playing. Go to the training facility and work on those tricks. Get where I'm going with this? Eventually you will enter your dog into competitions and begin winning prize money. Money you can use to buy items and dog toys and ... more puppies!

 
"Let this meeting of the United floor pee'rs commence."

Setting the DS to identify other Nintendogs within the WiFi range makes this title that much more fun. If you happen to run into one of the other million Nintendog owners out there, your puppies will play together and an exchange of sorts will commence. More importantly, only by meeting up with these other Nintendogs, will other breeds of dogs become available in the kennel. I love how you can set your DS to bark mode to identify these other Nintendogs. This game is original, addictive and those puppies are so lifelike. 

Gameplay: 9.3
You use all of the DS's functions to their fullest. The game encourages you to play it regularly and the honest-to-goodness bond you will make with your dog is so endearing. You use the microphone to blow bubbles in order to play with your dog for goodness sakes.

Graphics: 9.1
The game has the finest graphics the DS has made so far, including the different fur striations of the various dogs, and the almost-lifelike reactions of the dog as you pet its head, rub it's belly and let it lick your hand. Those big puppy dog eyes, this game is so neat to look at.

Sound: 8.7
Little puppy dog noises, the pleasant audio music that hums along as you go about your day.

Difficulty: Medium
The hardest part of the game is the little twitches that sometimes occur when you are using the microphone. Other then that, the game does require a commitment from you to ensure that the little lives of the puppies are healthy and fulfilled.

Concept: 9.4
A totally original game. I would have never even thought a game like this was possible. Your dog actually goes to the bathroom while you are on walks.

Multiplayer: 9.0
That first time your DS barks at you signaling that there is another Nintendog in the area is worth the price of the game in itself. Being that the game is sooooo special, you can only interact with DS owners who are also playing Nintendogs.

Overall: 9.3
I will defend this title to anyone who doesn't see it for its complete originality, creative gameplay and darn cute puppies. This is the game that will sell another million Nintendo DSs.