Nintendogs
© 2005 Nintendo of America
Even cat lovers will like Nintendogs, an easy-to-use virtual pet game, featuring realistic animated dogs who respond to touch (petting with the stylus) and voice commands. Like real dogs, the virtual ones want to socialize. And have puppies! If another Nintendog’s owner gets into wireless range,your dogs can visit. This is done with a wireless “bark” mode, which must be turned on. Think of it as IM-ing with little dogs; very fun stuff. The graphics are terrific—you can almost see the hair on the dog—but the screen can often feel cramped. The sound is also good, consisting of dog sounds and cheers or “awws” from the crowd. The microphone, used for training your pup to do various tricks such as sit or lay down, works well even if it is somewhat unresponsive at times. Our personal favorite was the bubble wand, used to blow bubbles around the dog. As you enter more dog shows, you can earn money to purchase additional toys (up to 100 are available). This game is good for dog-lovers of all ages, and most activities can be understood without knowing how to read, though often times it helps. This cartridge was in high demand at Mediatech, but there are some drawbacks to note. For one, there are ownership issues that can create disputes among children, and force a frustrated parent to the store to purchase another cartridge. That’s because only three dogs can “live” on a cartridge. One option is to put your dog in a “pet hotel.” Also, because the game operates in real time, your pup may want to take a nap, just when you want to play. They’re moody little critters. Optional Nintendogs cartridges feature up to 15 different dog breeds; a very smart marketing move by Nintendo. See also Nintendogs + Cats, announced in 2010 for the Nintendo 3DS.
$30, Nintendo DS
Teaches: creativity, caring for animals