Nintendogs Hints XXIV (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

Determining "?" box content
– When you find a "?" box during a walk, if your pup barks once, it is a present. Should it bark twice, it is another dog.
– When walking your pet, if you find a present, wait until the pup runs off the screen. If it turns white, it is a trainer. Should it not, it is a present.
– While walking your pet, watch the top screen and the dog icon. If the latter starts walking in place while your dog is still walking forward on the bottom screen, one of two things is about to happen. Either there is a pile of garbage on the path ahead, or there is a hidden gift on it. The pup icon will only stop for about five seconds. Make sure to watch it carefully.

Here's an ad for this game: