Nintendogs

Puppy simulator for Nintendo DS lets owners name, train, and play with realistic dogs who respond to voices through a microphone

Nintendogs is a puppy simulator for Nintendo DS that lets owners name, train, and play with a realistic puppy. The dogs respond to their owners' voices with the built-in microphone, and react to praise and positive reinforcement via the Nintendo DS touch screen. Artificial intelligence simulates a real dog. Nintendogs players pick from eighteen breeds, then owners feed their pups, buy them new toys, and take them for walks as they bond.

The game becomes available in the United States on Monday. Dogs have become hip fashion accessories, complete with their dedicated lines of jewelry and clothing.

The U.S. version will come in three different packages, each with six different breeds of puppies to begin with, including three breeds (golden retriever, husky, and boxer) not available in the Japanese version. Owners will be able to choose from the most popular breeds to train on their Nintendo DS systems.

The package of Nintendogs featuring the Labrador retriever on the cover also will have breeds like miniature schnauzer, toy poodle, Pembroke Welsh corgi, miniature pinscher, and shiba inu.

The package with the Chihuahua on the cover also will have breeds like a German shepherd dog, boxer, cavalier King Charles spaniel, Yorkshire terrier, and Shetland sheepdog.

And the miniature dachshund edition also will have breeds like golden retriever, beagle, pug, Siberian husky and Shih Tzu. Nintendogs lets owners choose a puppy from one of 18 breeds, then raise and train the pup. The pet simulation produce incredibly realistic and cute puppies that respond to voice commands and petting on the touch screen. Owners can teach their puppies new tricks, compete in obedience and agility trials, or compete in flying disk competitions. Successful trainers earn money and trainer points to use to buy additional breeds, new toys, and accessories.