I LOVE it! It's a really good game, it teaches kids the responsibility of owning a puppy, but in some parts it can be pretty Frustrating for example when you first bring the puppy home you need to name thee puppy, and it must learn it's name by you/your child saying it's name aloud and sometimes it takes forever for a puppy to learn it's name (I know I drive my grandmother absolutely crazy when that happens!) and the same goes for tricks,and also obedience trials, Obedience trials are competitions where you can eneter your puppy to show off it's obedience but sometimes (as in real life) the puppy won't do the trick that's asked of it (whether on purpouse or because of simly not understanding the commands, but overall this game is age appropriate and fun for kids of all ages!
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Nintendogs
(2005, Video Games - Simulation, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A fabulous virtual puppy simulation.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Nintendogs was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this is the best virtual pet program we have ever seen. The puppy mannerisms are so realistic that it's easy to become attached to your virtual dog. Be forewarned that these puppies are so endearing that your kids are likely to put pressure on you to get a dog. Also, if you decide to let your child put the program in "Bark" mode, you will want to pay attention to who is meeting your child's Nintendog.
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- Families can talk about how realistically this video game portrays the responsibilities of raising a puppy. What is realistic within the game, and what is glossed over?
More on Nintendogs
What’s the Story?
NINTENDOGS comes in three versions: Lab & Friends, Chihuahua & Friends, and Dachshund & Friends. Players select a puppy from a group of frolicking dogs at the kennel. The puppies vary in breed, looks, personality, and gender. Once you select a puppy, it goes home with you; and then the real fun begins. You can train your puppy to respond to its name and other voice commands by repeating the commands into the microphone. You bond with your puppy by petting it with your DS stylus and playing games using balls or discs. Ideally, you should feed and water your puppy daily and take it on walks. And if you don't want it to get fleas, you will need to bathe your puppy periodically. All of this, of course, costs money, which you earn by entering your pup in dog competitions.
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Is It Any Good?
In Nintendogs, the puppies you can adopt are nothing short of adorable; they're hard to resist because their mannerisms are so lifelike and their attention is focused on you. If you get hooked on Nintendogs, you can acquire up to eight dogs at a time, although only three can live with you at once (the other five must reside at the doggie hotel and can be "swapped").
Parents, be forewarned that these puppies are so endearing that your children are likely to put pressure on you to get a dog. Peggy Brummond, mother of kid-tester Shane, was impressed that "puppies seem so real and that the game teaches responsibility." For families where real dog ownership isn't desired or possible, Nintendogs is a fun way of experiencing some of the pleasures of owning a dog.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 08/23/2005, price $29.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E
ESRB rating: E
Our Members Say
See all 54 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
PERFECT FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
A super game for everyone!
a fun easy game to play! a great game if your kids want a dog but you want them to see how hard it is. a fun game that I play all the time!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
a great educational game
this game is really fun and educational because it teaches little kids all the basice of taking care of a puppy. boys probably wont like but all girls 6 and up will!
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
A fantastic virtual simulation for those who can't have a real dog. Nintendogs lets you experience all the wonders of owning a pup. You can choose from an array of activities like walking, grooming, and contests, as well as feeding and patting you adorable puppy. This game works well because of it'd realism and it's indepth. Not feeding you pup results in one grumpy dog! A must have on Nintendo DS.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Easy to play
This is a classic- our family still plays it after 3 years.
Nintendo, you are a genius. This game has super-easy controls obviously tailor-made for the DS. Me and my sister loved it when we were young, because we could spend hours petting our nintendogs and playing with them. Now we love it because of all the unlockables and mini-games, like Frisbee and Dog Agility. All in all, this game is TOTALLY worth the money, and will make you feel bad if you forget to feed your dogs.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say kids find it easy to play |
| 100% | of parents feel the site is safe |
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
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