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Nintendogs is just one of those titles that refuses
to elude you.  From just prior to the turn of the year when the
first few solid details of the game were unveiled through its
magnificently overwhelming appearance at E3 in LA, May 2005, the
title has never fallen short of having the highest of expectations.
With the Japanese release now well and truly blossoming and the US
release merely weeks away; we finally have a solidish UK
release date – 7th October 2005 – and so, it’s
time to begin the game that will no doubt define itself as one of
the greatest marketing ploys the videogame industry has ever seen.
The beginning of the Japanese Nintendogs code is
confusing to say the least. After you’ve chosen your pooch,
you’re chucked straight into a room with his/her bugs-eyes
glaring at you, waiting for you to perform. After playing around a
bit, getting used the Touch Screen  input, you’re asked to name
your dog. Repeating this basic task several times before
being allowed to progress does get a little frustrating to say the
least, but it’s an easy assumption to assume that this delay is
purely so that the software can learn a range of your vocals.
Once your dog understands his new human-imposed label and
has learnt his first “trick” the game unlocks itself.
Purchasing toys, food, collars and bows and taking your dog for
walks are immediately available options and are both entertaining
to their limited degrees at this early stage, whilst other options
remain locked. Entering your dog into tournaments will earn you
extra cash whilst items and other dogs can be found during
pre-plotted walks.
Each
activity is rewarding within itself, and offers a fairly charming
package when culminated into an experience such as Nintendogs.
The title is such as Animal Crossing; being impossible to
get to grips with within just a few hours of play and as demanding
of user input as a XboxLIVE! title. Come October, you
won’t want to turn your NintendoDS off – with the extensive
wireless features and instant accessibility of the NintendoDS’s
Sleep Mode.
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