Common Sense Media Review
By Jinny Gudmundsen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A fabulous virtual puppy simulation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 9 parent reviews
Based on 42 kid reviews
Kids say this game offers a fun and engaging simulation of dog ownership, allowing players to adopt, train, and care for a variety of virtual dogs while participating in competitions and enjoying realistic interactions. It is widely praised for its educational value and is suitable for all ages, although some players find certain aspects, like voice recognition for naming dogs, a bit frustrating.
- fun simulation
- educational value
- for all ages
- realistic interactions
- some frustrations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
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.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Game Details
- Platform : Nintendo DS
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Nintendo
- Release date : August 23, 2005
- Genre : Simulation
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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