Nintendogs
1156995
225559444
2008-07-14T08:55:16Z
Silver Edge
1547261
Reverted edits to last version by Silver Edge; as per [[WP:GAMEGUIDE]]
{{Infobox VG
|title=Nintendogs
|image=[[Image:Dalmatianfriends.jpg|250px]]
|caption=The latest version of ''Nintendogs'', ''Dalmatian and Friends''.
|developer=[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|designer=[[Kiyoshi Mizuki]]
|engine=
|released='''Original versions'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP=[[April 21]], [[2005]]|NA=[[August 22]] [[2005]]}}{{vgrelease|AUS=[[September 29]] [[2005]]}} {{vgrelease|EU=[[October 7]] [[2005]]}}'''Best Friends version'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA=[[October 24]] [[2005]]}}'''Dalmatian & Friends version'''<br />{{vgrelease|EU=[[June 16]] [[2006]]}}{{vgrelease|NA=[[October 16]] [[2006]]}}
|genre = [[Pet-raising simulation]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer]] via Bark Mode
|ratings = [[Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: A (All ages)<br />[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: E (Everyone)<br>[[PEGI]]: 3+<br />[[Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)|OFLC]]: G
|platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
|media = [[Nintendo DS Game Card]]
|requirements =
|input =
}}
'''''Nintendogs''''' is a [[real-time]] [[pet simulation]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo DS]] handheld [[video game console]]. It was first released in [[Japan]] on [[April 21]] [[2005]], and was later released in [[North America]] and [[Singapore]] on [[August 22]] [[2005]], in [[Australia]] on [[September 29]] [[2005]], in [[Europe]] on [[October 7]] [[2005]], in [[China]] on [[June 29]] [[2006]], and in [[South Korea]] on [[May 3]] [[2007]].<ref name="Gamespot nintendogs">[http://www.gamespot.com/pages/tags/index.php?type=game&tags=nintendogs Nintendogs on GameSpot]</ref> It was originally released in three different versions - ''Dachshund & Friends'', ''Lab & Friends'' (''Shiba & Friends'' in Japan), and ''Chihuahua & Friends''.<ref name="Gamespot nintendogs"/> ''Nintendogs'' takes advantage of the Nintendo DS' [[touch screen]] and [[microphone]], which are used to interact with the dogs.
Another version of ''Nintendogs'' called ''Nintendogs: Best Friends'' was released in North America on [[October 24]] [[2005]] in a bundle which also contained one of two differently colored Nintendo DS consoles. After the initial shipment, Nintendo did not restock the bundle, but it was released later in Singapore on [[July 15]] [[2006]]. Another version called ''Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends'' was released in Europe on [[June 16]] [[2006]] and later in North America and Singapore on [[October 16]] [[2006]]. As of [[December 31]] [[2007]], all versions of ''Nintendogs'' combined have sold 19.79 million copies worldwide, making it the [[List of best-selling video games|best-selling Nintendo DS game]] published by Nintendo.<ref name="080125e"/>
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Nintendogs petting.jpg|thumb|left|A Miniature Dachshund puppy being pat through use of the touch screen.]]
Using the [[touch screen]], the owner can play with, train, pet, walk, and wash their virtual dog.<ref>[www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/nintendogschihuahuaandfriends/media.html Gamespot ''Nintendogs'' video]</ref> With the [[Nintendo DS#Input and output|microphone]] that is built into the DS, the player can create voice commands that their puppy will understand and, if properly trained, follow. Dogs can be walked to the park where they can practice their [[flying disc|disc]] catching skills, and to the gymnasium to practice [[dog agility]]. Players can also visit the discount stores to buy supplies for a lower price. The game features two types of currency; money and "trainer points". Money is used to purchase items, while trainer points increase or decrease depending on the actions of the player. As points accumulate, more dogs become available for the player to buy, and more background can be purchased to decorate the player's in-game house.
Only three dogs may be kept at the player's in-game dwelling at one time, and five dogs may be stored at the "Dog Hotel". The dogs may also be swapped, dropped off, and picked up at any time, though the game does not allow the player to have all of his or her dogs in the Dog Hotel at one time. The player may not have any more than eight dogs at a time, but dogs may be "donated" to make space for more pets. Donating a dog permanently removes it from the player's profile.
In caring for the dog, it can be fed with different types of food and groomed with varying items. As time passes without the dog being cared for, its condition will slowly deteriorate, as it becomes more hungry and dirty. If its condition is not amended for a long period of time, eventually the dog may run away, though it will eventually return. Dogs that are especially dirty or hungry are not able to participate in contests.
By walking their dog, players earn trainer points; the amount of points varies depending on the length of the walk, and activities participated in on the way, such as contest training. While walking, question mark icons on the map point out areas that may contain neighborhood dogs or presents, though presents can be found unmarked as well. When encountering another dog and its trainer, the player's dog may fight or play with the other.
===Contests===
The contests are the player's main method of earning money and trainer points. There are three contests: [[Disc dog|Disc Competition]], [[Dog agility|Agility Trial]], and [[Obedience Trial]]. In each of them, there are 5 classes: Beginner, Open, Expert, Master, and Championship. If the player's dog places 3rd or higher in whatever class it is in, the dog will proceed to the next difficulty level. Prize money earned differs depending on which contest has been entered, what place is finished, and the class the dog is in. If the player does not place at least 3rd, they will be dropped to the previous difficulty level, unless they were in the Beginner class, at which point they will remain there. Dogs who consistently place higher than 3rd at the Champion class remain at that level. Consecutive placings of 1st while at the Champion class will go towards the 'winning streak', which is broken as soon as the dog places under first place.
===Bark mode===
''Nintendogs'' supports a link-up method through the Nintendo DS's built-in [[wireless networking]] capabilities. A player can link his or her system with that of another person who owns a copy of ''Nintendogs'' to let the players' puppies play together. This is called "Bark Mode". If connected with a player who has a dog not in the current player's kennel, that dog will become available. Also, players can use an item called the "White Record" to record a message. This can be used to say something to the other player. Dogs may also carry a present to give away for good to the other player.
==Setting==
''Nintendogs'' does not specify where it takes place, and the time period appears to be [[modern]], although items such as [[record players]] make appearances. The game world focuses on a single town which appears to be [[coastal]], due to the ocean and visible beach which occupies the background when near the edge of the map. Other than this, the location is never given out, and it is not possible to travel to another town or city. The game also allows players to buy new backgrounds for the interior of their in-game house, which alter its appearance. Players can choose styles such as a condominium style home with a view of a cityscape, or a seaside style situated on the [[beach]]. It is not made clear whether or not this represents a change of location, as the landscape when leaving the house does not change.
The game does not have a concrete plot or story, being more of an [[open-ended]] [[simulation game]]. The player takes on the role of a dog owner, caring and training for various dogs of his or her choice. Similarly to titles such as [[Animal Crossing]], the game runs in real-time,<ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=180066 Gamestop ''Nintendogs'' information]</ref> and the player is free to do as he or she wishes, accumulating items and participating in various events.
==Development==
''Nintendogs'' began as a technical demo on the [[Nintendo GameCube]] long before it was considered for the DS. It made its way to the handheld when the DS was still in development. Shigeru Miyamoto originally came up with the idea for the game when he and his family bought a dog, which inspired him to create the project.[http://www.joystiq.com/2005/10/03/the-engadget-amp-joystiq-interview-nintendos-shigeru/2] The game's producer, [[Hideki Konno]], looking for a game to take full advantage of all of the Nintendo DS' features, decided on a dog simulation game. ''Nintendogs'', first called ''Puppy Times'', was originally designed to have 15 different versions, one for each breed of dog. [[Satoru Iwata]] suggested this to convey the feel that the player was choosing a dog from a [[kennel]]. However, the debugging process for each version would have been too time consuming to be feasible. After going back and forth between numbers of versions, they eventually settled for three, with six dogs each and the rest available after completing in-game goals. <ref>[http://ds.ign.com/articles/616/616923p1.html Development information on IGN.com]</ref>
===Versions===
Originally, three different versions of ''Nintendogs'' existed. In Japan, their subtitles were ''Chihuahua & Friends'', ''Dachshund & Friends'' and ''Shiba & Friends''. In North America, Singapore and Europe, the game's subtitles are maintained, but the ''Shiba & Friends'' title was changed to ''Lab & Friends'', a more recognizable breed in those countries, though the Shiba Inu is still present in the game. Another version of ''Nintendogs'', titled ''Nintendogs: Best Friends'', has been bundled with teal and pink (in the U.S., the pink version was only available at [[Target Corporation|Target]] and [[Toys "R" Us]]) Nintendo DS models. ''Nintendogs: Best Friends'' was released in Singapore on [[15 July]] [[2006]] after new location of GameScore at Funan opened. Europe had slightly different bundles: a pink DS bundle with the ''Dachshund'' version of the game, and a blue DS bundle with the ''Lab'' version. ''Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends'' was released on [[June 16]], [[2006]] in Europe<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.touchgenerations.com/enGB/games/nintendogs/news/nintendogs_press_release.php | title=Nintendogs - Dalmatian Edition announced! | publisher=Touch! Generations | accessdate=2006-06-30}}</ref> on North America and Singapore on [[October 16]], [[2006]]. This version includes the most popular breeds from the other versions, as well as the Dalmatian available for purchase from the beginning of the game, without the player needing to locate the Fireman's Hat.
All the versions contain all the breeds and are all identical. The difference between versions is the selection of the six breeds which the player starts with, but the other 14 breeds can be unlocked as the player progresses through the game. Unlocking occurs when the player achieves certain goals, for example gaining a certain number of trainer points or finding a particular object. The other difference is that each version has different exclusive items one can obtain whilst going out for a walk. However, it is possible for one version of the game to receive all of another version's exclusive items when two people connect via Bark Mode.
==Reception==
The game has been well received by critics. In the May 2005 edition of the ''[[Famitsu]]'', a popular Japanese gaming magazine, ''Nintendogs'' received a perfect 40/40 score. Only seven other games have attained this score: ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[Soulcalibur]]'', ''[[Vagrant Story]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4]]''.<ref>http://kotaku.com/5012898/famitsu-gives-metal-gear-solid-4-perfect-score - kotaku.com; accessed 06-04-2008</ref> It also received an 8.5 out of 10 in ''[[Nintendo Power]]''. [[Game Informer]] gave ''Nintendogs'' an 8 out of 10, reflecting on the game's lack of an ending.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200504/N05.0408.1929.45149.htm Game Informer ''Nintendogs'' news]</ref>
===Awards===
In addition to recognitions from publications such as ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', ''[[BusinessWeek]]'', and the ''[[Chicago Sun Times]]'', ''Nintendogs'' also won a wide variety of awards.
*[[E3]] 2005 [[Game Critics Awards]]: Best Handheld Game.<ref>{{cite web| title = 2005 Winners | url = http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/win.html | publisher = gamecriticsawards.com}}</ref>
* [http://www.theg33ks.com/nintendogs-reviewed-03082006/ TheG33ks Bronze Award] for best Nintendo DS game.
*[[Associated Press]]: "Best Game of 2005"
* 2005 [[Japan Media Arts Festival]]: Excellence Prize
*[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]: "2006 Innovation Award"
*D&AD: Yellow Pencils Award 2006<ref>{{cite web| title = Yellow Pencil Awards | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9488 | publisher = gamesutra.com}}</ref>
*[[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]: Best Animal-Friendly Video Game 2006<ref>{{cite web| title = 2006 Winners | url = http://www.peta.org.uk/feat/proggy/2006/winners.html | publisher = PETA}}</ref>
*[[IGN]]: Editors' Choice Award<ref>{{cite web| title = IGN Editors' Choice Games | url = http://ds.ign.com/index/choice.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2006-09-02}}</ref>
*[[IGN]]: Best use of touch screen for Nintendo DS<ref>{{cite web| title = IGN.com presents the Best of 2005 | url = http://bestof.ign.com/2005/ds/15.html | publisher=IGN | accessdate=2008-05-01}}</ref>
*[[GameSpot]]: Editors' Choice award<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/misc/editorschoice/index.html Editor's Choice - GameSpot<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
===Sales information===
In the first week of its release in Japan ([[April 18]], [[2005]] to [[April 24]], [[2005]]), its sales totaled over 168,000 units (''Nintendogs: Shiba & Friends'' — 75,000 units, ''Nintendogs: Miniature Dachshund & Friends'' — 49,000 units and ''Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends'' — 44,000 units). This title game also boosted the Nintendo DS system sales by over 4.2 times the previous week to 95,000 units, up from 22,000.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/608/608232p1.html | title=DS Sales Skyrocket in Japan | publisher=IGN | date=April 28, 2005 | author=Anoop Gantayet}}</ref> It's sold a total of 1,777,272 copies as of Q2 2008, and has sold 68,879 total in the first half of 2008.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} ''Nintendogs'' also had very successful launches in North America and Europe, with first week sales of over 250,000<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6393 | title=Nintendo Reveals Impressive U.S. Nintendogs Figures | publisher=Gamasutra | date=September 1, 2005}}</ref> and 160,000<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6811 | title=Nintendo Claims European Sales Boost For DS | date=October 12, 2005 | publisher=Gamasutra}}</ref> respectively.
On [[March 23]] [[2006]] at [[Game Developers Conference|GDC 2006]], Nintendo's president [[Satoru Iwata]] announced that international sales of ''Nintendogs'' sales had reached 6 million,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/23/gdc-the-nintendo-keynote-blow-by-blow/ | title=GDC: The Nintendo keynote blow by blow (Updated) | publisher=Joystiq | accessdate=2006-06-30}}</ref> As of [[December 31]] [[2007]], all versions of ''Nintendogs'' combined have sold 19.79 million copies worldwide, making it the [[List of best-selling video games|best-selling Nintendo DS game]] published by Nintendo.<ref name="080125e">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080125e.pdf#page=6 |title=Financial Results Briefing for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 2007 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=2008-01-25 |format=[[PDF]] |pages=6 |accessdate=2008-02-02}}</ref>
==Related products==
===Trading cards===
In late 2005, [[Nintendo of America]] released the first series of ''Nintendogs'' "6-Card Fun Paks",<ref>[http://www.experiencefestival.com/nintendogs_-_trading_cards/articleindex 6-Card Fun Paks]</ref> each normally sold for $1.99. Three different pack designs (each based on the US-released designs of the DS game) contains an assortment of "Collectible cards, stickers & more!". Each pack randomly contains two of 18 different 'Breed' cards, one of nine different "Dog in Training" Tip cards, one of six different 'Miscellaneous' cards, one of 18 different 'Pop-Up' Cards, one of six different sheets of stickers, one of four different temporary tattoos and one Sweepstakes card.
A second series of these cards were released in early 2007 by [[Enterplay, LLC]].<ref>[http://www.itog.com/item_info.pl?id=16283 Nintendogs - Is That One Good?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> These cards, officially licensed by Nintendo, were created by the same individuals who worked on the first series. As such, the cards greatly resemble the first series. Keeping the "6-Card Fun Pak" name, each package contains two of 20 different "At the Kennel" cards (which feature all eighteen breeds from the games,<ref>[http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/cards/cards_index.jsp ''Nintendogs'' trading cards]</ref> including the Dalmatian and Jack Russel Terrier), one of nine "Dog in Training" tip cards, one of four different 'Miscellaneous' cards, one of 20 different 'Pop-Up' Cards, one of six different sheets of stickers, one of four different temporary tattoos and one Sweepstakes card. The second series also features three different packages, this time with a Dalmatian, Beagle and Pug on the front of the package.
===Plush toys===
A line of ''Nintendogs'' [[Stuffed animal|plush toy]]s were released in Japan, featuring the most popular breeds in each game.<ref>[http://www.videogamefigures.com/store/pc/Nintendogs-Interactive-Play-Pups-Tug-n-Play-Shih-Tzu-33p291.htm Tug 'n Play ''Nintendog'' plush]</ref> They are also available at the [[Nintendo World Store]] in New York City for [[USD|US$]]9.99. Various ''Nintendogs'' T-Shirts are available at the Nintendo World Store as well and retail for US$14.99. In Europe and Australia, a series of plush toys with an electronic sensor were released, and when the owner shook the bone, the dog would walk and bark.
Nintendo has released a set of plushes through Earthwood Toys.
Currently there are 12 breeds of bean bag plush with sounds that pant, growl and bark. These include 6 breeds of Trick Trainer Pups that can be trained with the included magnetic bone, and 6 breeds of Interactive pups in 3 styles: Tug 'n Play, Pet 'n Play, and Howl with Me.
Mcdonalds also gave out miniature Nintendogs with their happy meals.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://nintendogs.com Official ''Nintendogs'' site (English, US)]
* [http://nintendogs.nintendo.co.uk/ Official ''Nintendogs'' site (English, UK)]
* [http://www.nintendogs.com.au/ Official ''Nintendogs'' site (Australia)]
* [http://www.nintendogs.com/cards/ Official site for the ''Nintendogs'' Trading Cards]
* [http://www.enterplayllc.com/ Official site for Enterplay, LLC - Makers of the Second Series of ''Nintendogs'' Trading Cards]
* {{moby game|id=/nintendogs|name=''Nintendogs''}}
[[Category:2005 video games]]
[[Category:Dogs in popular culture]]
[[Category:Interactive Achievement Award winners]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development games]]
[[Category:Touch! Generations]]
[[Category:Virtual pets]]
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