Nintendogs Hints XXII (DS)

Nintendogs is a real-time pet simulation video game series developed and published, as the title suggests, by Nintendo, exclusively for its DS handheld console. The franchise has won over a lot of fans due to its fun gameplay and relatively realistic experience. The first installment was released in Japan, and then in other territories like North America, Europe or Australia. Despite the fact that it was launched in three versions, Dachshund & Friends, Lab & Friends, and Chihuahua & Friends, its popularity made the Japanese company release new editions, called Nintendogs: Best Friends, and Nintendogs: Dalmatian and Friends.

Nintendogs takes full advantage of the unique characteristics of the Nintendo DS, and makes players use the touchscreen and the built-in microphone in order to play and interact with their dogs. The touchscreen can be employed to pet the animal, and allows the gamer to use various items that can be found or purchased throughout the game.

These range from balls and frisbees to toys or grooming supplies, all aimed at making the pet of the player happy. The microphone can be resorted to to call the dog by simply saying the name given to it at the beginning of the game. It can also be employed to teach the animal basic commands, such as sit or roll over.

The ways the virtual dog and the player can interact are quite numerous, ranging from taking it on walks in the park to introducing it to other dogs via the DS' wireless connection. The title also makes use of the internal clock and calendar of the console, in order to recreate things that happen in time, such as making the pet hungry or dirty.

The Nintendogs series has received a lot of favorable reviews, with critics noting the great gameplay and how, as time goes by, you really become attached to the dog you have in the game. As such, it has won quite a lot of awards since its launch, and is still being played quite commonly these days.

HINTS

Finding items
– When you are walking on the sidewalk, tap the floor and your dog will look and sometimes find an item.
– When you walk your dog, there are "?" marks where you can find presents and other dogs. Once during almost every walk, there is one not illustrated on the map. When you see it on the touch screen, take your pet's leash and drag it to the item. It will be a present or garbage that your dog should not eat.
– To easily get your animal pick up unmarked gifts, while walking it, hold the leash over its body. If you happen to come across an unmarked present, quickly drag the stylus up to the top of the screen. This works even if your dog is walking instead of running.

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