Nintendogs + Cats, Nintendo's celebrated pet simulation series, made a triumphant return as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS, bringing next-generation interactivity and charm.
Renowned for redefining the virtual pet genre, Nintendo expanded the franchise by introducing cats to its list of interactable animals, leveraging the unique features of the Nintendo 3DS system to offer a more immersive experience. Upon starting Nintendogs + Cats, players choose from a selection of adorable dog breeds available in the game’s three distinct versions: French Bulldog + New Friends, Golden Retriever + New Friends, and Toy Poodle + New Friends.
Each version offers unique starting breeds, but additional dogs become accessible through the use of the Nintendo 3DS StreetPass functionality, enabling breed sharing between players who own different versions. Early gameplay revolves around bonding with your chosen puppy in a customizable virtual home, where players monitor and care for their pet’s hunger, thirst, fitness, and grooming needs.
Interactivity is enhanced by simple touch controls and voice recognition, allowing users to feed, groom, and teach their pets new tricks.
The game’s real-time system enables owners to train up to three tricks per day—including sit, left paw, and right paw—gradually unlocking more advanced commands.
Notably, Nintendogs + Cats requires players to use the microphone for training, adding a layer of realism as pets learn to respond to voice commands in real time. A variety of activities keeps daily gameplay engaging.
Using the touchscreen 'Go Out' menu, players can walk their pets through scenic in-game routes, visit other Mii characters with their pets via StreetPass, and use the built-in pedometer to track steps, which impact the length of dog walks.
Exploration is rewarded with hidden gifts, opportunities to interact at locations like the cafe, park, and gym, and authentic responsibilities, such as cleaning up after your pet. In addition, in-game shopping is available for supplies, accessories, and decor, with outlets like Barc and Mr.
R offering food, toys, and home customization options.
A variety of toys and accessories, including the popular flying disc and boomerang, introduce new ways to play and bond with virtual pets, further enriched by the Nintendo 3DS’s 3D graphics. Competitive gameplay is a major highlight, as dogs can participate in Disc Competitions, Lure Coursing, and Obedience Trials.
Each event increases in difficulty from Junior Cup to the prestigious Nintendogs Cup.
The Obedience Trial stands out for its innovative use of the AR Card, which projects pets into the user’s real-world environment via augmented reality, merging physical and virtual interaction in an engaging way. Supporting the new hardware, Nintendogs + Cats features AR Card functionalities, allowing players to dress their pets in themed hats inspired by Nintendo franchises like Kirby and Metroid, expanding creative possibilities and personal expression. Despite the inclusion of cats in the series, their gameplay options are limited.
Cats cannot be walked, taught tricks, or entered into competitions, and serve largely as companion animals that interact sporadically with dogs and their owners. As a launch showcase for the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendogs + Cats demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to leveraging new console technology in service of creative, accessible gameplay.
The title not only revitalizes a beloved series but effectively utilizes the Nintendo 3DS’s unique features—such as voice recognition, AR Cards, StreetPass, and stereoscopic 3D—to create a more lifelike and engaging virtual pet experience for players of all ages.
Renowned for redefining the virtual pet genre, Nintendo expanded the franchise by introducing cats to its list of interactable animals, leveraging the unique features of the Nintendo 3DS system to offer a more immersive experience. Upon starting Nintendogs + Cats, players choose from a selection of adorable dog breeds available in the game’s three distinct versions: French Bulldog + New Friends, Golden Retriever + New Friends, and Toy Poodle + New Friends.
Each version offers unique starting breeds, but additional dogs become accessible through the use of the Nintendo 3DS StreetPass functionality, enabling breed sharing between players who own different versions. Early gameplay revolves around bonding with your chosen puppy in a customizable virtual home, where players monitor and care for their pet’s hunger, thirst, fitness, and grooming needs.
Interactivity is enhanced by simple touch controls and voice recognition, allowing users to feed, groom, and teach their pets new tricks.
The game’s real-time system enables owners to train up to three tricks per day—including sit, left paw, and right paw—gradually unlocking more advanced commands.
Notably, Nintendogs + Cats requires players to use the microphone for training, adding a layer of realism as pets learn to respond to voice commands in real time. A variety of activities keeps daily gameplay engaging.
Using the touchscreen 'Go Out' menu, players can walk their pets through scenic in-game routes, visit other Mii characters with their pets via StreetPass, and use the built-in pedometer to track steps, which impact the length of dog walks.
Exploration is rewarded with hidden gifts, opportunities to interact at locations like the cafe, park, and gym, and authentic responsibilities, such as cleaning up after your pet. In addition, in-game shopping is available for supplies, accessories, and decor, with outlets like Barc and Mr.
R offering food, toys, and home customization options.
A variety of toys and accessories, including the popular flying disc and boomerang, introduce new ways to play and bond with virtual pets, further enriched by the Nintendo 3DS’s 3D graphics. Competitive gameplay is a major highlight, as dogs can participate in Disc Competitions, Lure Coursing, and Obedience Trials.
Each event increases in difficulty from Junior Cup to the prestigious Nintendogs Cup.
The Obedience Trial stands out for its innovative use of the AR Card, which projects pets into the user’s real-world environment via augmented reality, merging physical and virtual interaction in an engaging way. Supporting the new hardware, Nintendogs + Cats features AR Card functionalities, allowing players to dress their pets in themed hats inspired by Nintendo franchises like Kirby and Metroid, expanding creative possibilities and personal expression. Despite the inclusion of cats in the series, their gameplay options are limited.
Cats cannot be walked, taught tricks, or entered into competitions, and serve largely as companion animals that interact sporadically with dogs and their owners. As a launch showcase for the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendogs + Cats demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to leveraging new console technology in service of creative, accessible gameplay.
The title not only revitalizes a beloved series but effectively utilizes the Nintendo 3DS’s unique features—such as voice recognition, AR Cards, StreetPass, and stereoscopic 3D—to create a more lifelike and engaging virtual pet experience for players of all ages.
