Nintendo to promote responsible (real) dog ownership

by Dan Choi { Aug 26th 2005 at 8:00PM }

Nintendo has entered into a partnership with Dogs Trust, the largest dog welfare charity in the UK, to "encourage potential dog owners to test their ability to care for a dog before making the commitment to own one." I don't know what kind of PR campaign they're going to mount on behalf of pooches everywhere, but you can at least guarantee one thing: it's going to be cute. I'm actually worried, that after playing Nintendogs, that I'll be convinced that I'd love to own a real dog of my own, when that's exactly the furthest thing from what I'm feeling right now. Even if the game has you performing chores to take care of your virtual pet, it's nothing like the real du-ties involved in caring for man's best friend. Hopefully Nintendogs won't exacerbate the very problem this agreement was supposed to help solve.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

funkonaut @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

You said doody. :-p

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Nintendogs has got to be one of the lamest games ever created.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Nintendogs has got to be one of the lamest games ever created.

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Nintendogs has got to be one of the best games ever created.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Tom, im assuming you're 8 yrs old, then it's ok for you to make that comment. You don't know any better.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Xtrios, im assuming you've never played the game, then it's almost ok for you to make that comment. You don't know any better.

I haven't heard a single person who's played the game (even people who thought it was the stupidest idea ever before they played the demo at a store like EB Games) say that the game wasn't a good game (and most of them are adults).

F-Zero_Racer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Yeeeeah...So why is nintendogs lame Xtrios?

You dont need gore and blood in a game just to make it fun. Nintendogs is for dog lovers all over the world, weither they are 30 years old or 14.

Now in relation to the article..

I cant see it working. Nintendogs is fun sure, but in no way will it have you train for having a real dog at home.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

If i wanted a freakin' dog, i'd buy a real dog. It's like having the option of having the real Pamela Anderson but, wanting the dvd instead. That's gay unless you're a kid.

Brett @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Xtrios, I'm assuming you haven't played Nintendogs. I'd suggest playing a game before passing judgement next time.

F-Zero_Racer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Sorry, but i guess you dont know the cost of real dogs. Its ok, you dont know any better.

Real dogs cost from 500 dollers to 1000 dollers. Taking care of them can cost 300 dollers, for food, medicine, shots and other stuff.

Some people dont have the money to pay for real dogs, others (like me) have a real dog but get nintendogs for the novilty and fun of it.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

#9: LOL, sorry man.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

you want to bathe,feed,play with a virtual dog, be my guest. It's a sad world.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

dollers?

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

"dollers?"

"...im assuming..." "If i wanted...i'd buy..." "...but, wanting the dvd instead...." (BTW Pamela Anderson is so fake it's nasty) "you want to bathe,feed,play with a virtual dog, be my guest."

Before you decide to comment on someone else's spelling, make sure you aren't an idiot yourself.

Xtrios @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Eskimo, From this comment and the comments you made on other entries I know you're a S*it Stick(queer). That explains all the rage you have when someone talks bad about your Pu**y-ass Nintendogs.

Bo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I can see how a lot of people will enjoy the game for its simplicity...

I'm the type of person that quit playing a game after the first 10 minutes if it doesnt grab my attention -- I'm very picky with games. I enjoyed Nintendog right away.

Eskimo Bob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Hahaha! You lack so much confidence in your sexuality that you have to attack anyone who disagrees with you with homophobic attempts at an insult. Since the argument has waned into personal attacks on anyone who likes fun and innovative games over ports and sequels, I'm going to stop feeding the troll. Have fun watching your PSP do stuff. Maybe you'll eventually get a game to play. =)

Denny @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Xtrios, are you just jealous because PSP let you down and they still don't have a game really hit yet?

P.S Xtrios, calling other people gay/queer/Pu**y-ass/childish ... are really nice arguments, I hope you do that more in real life.

P.P.S Xtrios, even Pamela Anderson is fake and nasty, I don't think you've the option of having the real her. You're not rich or handsome.

LINES @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I'll add to what Tom said. Nintendogs has got to be one of the lamest games ever made.

PhilJ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I bought Nintendogs right after I swore I'd never buy a DS (my PSP is good enough). I'm a sucker for puppies, and it's fun. In fact, the game isn't a virtual pet game like others before it -- you don't need to play it every day and you don't suffer penalties if you let it collect dust for a month.

Best of all, playing it makes me remember why I like my two real-life labs so much (hard to remember when they sneak into the garbage). So, I'll take 'em out for a walk with my sons for the real interaction (something blog trolls lack).

I don't see this game attempting to replace a real-life relationship with a pooch, but I do see it encouraging a responsible, fun one.

Zach @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

15. Posted Aug 26, 2005, 10:34 PM ET by Xtrios

Eskimo, From this comment and the comments you made on other entries I know you're a S*it Stick(queer). That explains all the rage you have when someone talks bad about your Pu**y-ass Nintendogs.

So now you have to explain your insults? Ok. well. Whatever. Anyway, back to the article. I have nintendogs and it's very cool. I like to be able to join competitions for free and anytime I want to. Same goes for the walks, baths etc.

SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Well Dan, in response to your question, Nintendogs may sway you toward getting a dog. Owning a dog is a very rewarding experience, but it should not be taken lightly.

If you are faced with an unreasonable desire to get a dog, remember the negatives. The money you can rationalize pretty easily. What is harder is the psychologigal and physical effort you'll need to make.

The weeks of howling through the night as the dog gets used to being away from his or her master. The chewed shoes, clothes, furniture, money, documents, etc., etc., etc.. The vomit throughout the house when they are sick. And what may be the worst, the fact that they won't live much longer than a decade. You need to understand that this dog will become a member of your family, and it will age and die very quickly.

Remember the negatives. Real dogs are much bigger pains in the ass, and it's going to hurt like hell when you eventually lose them. If you can rationalize that, then maybe you are ready.

Threnody @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Man the trolls are out in full force tonight. Perhaps it's time Weblogs Inc got a moderation system.

PS Nintendogs rocks. The bathing the puppy experience is unbelievably unrealistic though.

Imp @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Xtrios, while I may disagree with you, the only way to not be a total idiot is to also hate racing games and sport games. Well, you're still an idiot, but better that than a hypocrit.

Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Threnody, I'm as much a fan of trolls as you are, but I also hesitate to hide, edit, block, or even delete(!) comments left on these pages. I prefer to allow as much freedom as possible, but I have my limits.

So... Xtrios, let's not go into these character attacks on other visitors, all right? We should be able to have opinionated dialogues without resorting to what I listed above. I'd hate to have to start with you.

Oh, and thanks for the suggestions, SetupWeasel. My family had some relatively long-lived parakeets in the past. Losing them hit me harder than I had expected, so I appreciate what you had to say.

Justice @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Well, glad to see all the children are logging in today. Why is it that the DS seems to stir up so much hatred and fury in these losers? They should harness all of that energy for something important--like getting a fucking life.

Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I must admit I don't understand the attraction towards that game.

It sounds very childish to me.

But, what the heck, to each their own.

Dragon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

You know, I bet most of these people who never will try Nintendogs and bash it, are the same people who never played Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon. When the game is explained, it sounds like the dumbest idea ever. When tried and played, however, you realize how good it really is, because of the simplicity and the addictive feel to it. I also know that there is nothing you can do to convince these people otherwise except hand them the game and get them to play it themselves, that seems to work the best. However, since this is an internet interaction, I can only ignore their bashing and suggest they try the game. So Xtrios, try the game out, you'll find the charm in it real quick. Otherwise, stop clicking on the Nintendogs topics just to bash it and get on with your life and let us enjoy ours.

PNSDPS @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I applaud Nintendo for breaking the mold. I faded away from video games because it was getting too much like TV "Hey, that worked, lets make 50,000 games just like it!"

I have both PSP and NDS and to be honest, I can see NDS pulling ahead in the next year due to the market expansion they will achieve by creating games that attract "non-gamers"

Xbox360BossMan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Wtf?! I just saw the Nintendogs commercial and it was some pre-teen girl talking to her dolls telling them that they had been replaced. FFS Nintendo, why couldnt you make it a bit more rough lol.

I recently got Nintendogs and I love it, my friend and I play it alot together. I like how they really used the touch-screen so that it feels so real. Plus, throwing frisbies & playing jump rope w/ your dog is some fun shit.

Jules @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

I dunno, I think Nintendo are just copying Sony's "A dogs life".

lol, just joking. But I have played that game, and ugh, man its so bad i will never play any game with a dog in it.

Eran Hawke @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

"If i wanted a freakin' dog, i'd buy a real dog. It's like having the option of having the real Pamela Anderson but, wanting the dvd instead. That's gay unless you're a kid."

Hmm. You are right! We should never put attractive people in video games or movies or TV. If you can't HAVE THEM, then Forget 'em!

Nintendogs is a blast. If you don't like it, too bad.

My DS gets a LOT more play than my PSP.

Nanostray
Nintendogs
Advance Wars
Kirby
Yoshi Touch n Go

That there is enough to keep people happy with the DS for a LONG time to come.

And this fall, when they release Mario kart, Animal Crossing, Castlevania, Lunar and more, I may have to sell my PSP to buy the games.

OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Wow. I think the last time I played a game as lame as this was Wrestlemania 21.

And no,i'm not a troll or a fanboy,I own a DS. I'd rather wait for Viewtiful Joe,Resident Evil or Mario Kart than spend money on this rediculous excuse for a "game".

I'll stick to playing with my real dog,thanks.

OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

brett colebourne @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

will a nintendo dog game with big dogs such as a bullmastiff rottweilier or bulldog be coming out

Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

Well, brett, you can hope for the Nintendogs Holiday Edition to cover those breeds, but it's probably unlikely as the designers intentionally kept the in-game puppies from really growing up (and getting really big in size, especially in comparison to the other dogs included). Then again, maybe this would be a way to cater to an American audience? Also keep in mind that Nintendo included only the most popular dogs in the world, so your favorites might not line up with those with worldwide mass appeal.

brett colebourne @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM

i understand what your saying but those dogs are not the most popular in the world people like bulldogs, staffordshires, rottweiliers, altatians and other dogs like that at the moment this game appeals more to girls for the dogs are made to be small and cute and not truthful to most dogs and reality