View source for Nintendogs

{{short description|2005 video game}}
{{Distinguish|Nintendo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| image         = Dalmatianfriends.jpg
| caption       = ''Dalmatian and Friends'' European box art
| developer     = [[Nintendo EAD]]
| publisher     = [[Nintendo]]
| director      = Kiyoshi Mizuki
| producer      = [[Hideki Konno]]
| designer      = Junji Morii
| writer        = Kunio Watanabe
| composer      = Hajime Wakai
| platforms     = [[Nintendo DS]]
| released      = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|April 21, 2005}}|'''Original version'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|April 21, 2005|NA|August 22, 2005|AUS|September 22, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/3055/updated-australian-release-list-12-09-05/|title=Updated Australian Release List - 12/09/05|website=PALGN|date=2005-09-12|access-date=2010-02-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321171925/http://palgn.com.au/3055/updated-australian-release-list-12-09-05/|archive-date=2012-03-21}}</ref>}}{{vgrelease|EU|October 7, 2005}}'''''Best Friends'''''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|October 24, 2005}}'''''Dalmatian & Friends'''''<br />{{vgrelease|EU|June 16, 2006}}{{vgrelease|NA|October 16, 2006|AUS|November 2, 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |title=Introducing Pink Nintendo DS Lite and nintendogs Dalmatian and Friends|publisher=[[Nintendo Australia]]|date=2006-10-16|access-date=2010-02-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061024031211/http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo/news/index.php |archive-date = 2006-10-24}}</ref>}}}}
| genre         = [[Digital pet|Pet-raising simulation]]
| modes         = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Nintendogs'''''|ニンテンドッグス|Nintendoggusu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (stylized in [[all lowercase]]) is a 2005 [[Digital pet|pet simulation]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo DS]] handheld [[video game console]]. It was released in Japan, and was later released in: North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and other regions. It was originally released in three different versions: ''Dachshund & Friends'', ''Lab & Friends'' (''Shiba & Friends'' in Japan) and ''Chihuahua & Friends''. It has been re-released twice, first as a bundled release with a special edition Nintendo DS with a new version called ''Nintendogs: Best Friends'' and later with ''Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends''.

''Nintendogs'' uses the DS's touchscreen and built-in microphone. The touch screen allows the player to pet a dog, as well as to use various items that can be found or purchased. These range from balls and frisbees, to toys, to grooming supplies to keep the dogs happy. The microphone is used to call to the player's dog by speaking the name given to the dog in the beginning of the game as well as to teach the dog tricks such as "sit" or "roll over". Players can bring their dogs on walks and to the park if they so choose. They may interact with other players in multi-player by using the DS's wireless linkup. It also uses the DS's internal clock and calendar to allow the dog to grow hungrier or dirtier based on the elapsed time.

''Nintendogs'' received positive reviews from critics and won many awards, including the 2006 Innovation Award from ''[[PC World]]'' and Best Handheld Game from the [[Associated Press]]. All versions of ''Nintendogs'' have sold a combined 23.96 million copies worldwide, making it the [[List of best-selling Nintendo DS video games|second highest-selling game]] on the Nintendo DS, behind ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''<ref name=mar15>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html|title=Top Selling Software Sales Units|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2015-03-31|access-date=2015-05-07|archive-date=2016-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427092514/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of ''Nintendogs''{{'}} success, Nintendo has made several related products, including ''Nintendogs'' toys<ref name="plushtoys">{{cite web|title=Tug 'n Play Nintendogs plush |url=http://www.videogamefigures.com/store/pc/Nintendogs-Interactive-Play-Pups-Tug-n-Play-Shih-Tzu-33p291.htm |publisher=[[Video game]]figures.com |access-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309174120/http://www.videogamefigures.com/store/pc/Nintendogs-Interactive-Play-Pups-Tug-n-Play-Shih-Tzu-33p291.htm |archive-date=March 9, 2008 }}</ref> and a series of ''Nintendogs'' trading cards.<ref name="tcg">{{cite web|title=6-Card Fun Paks|url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/nintendogs_-_trading_cards/articleindex|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103183231/http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Nintendogs_-_Trading_Cards/id/5336692|archive-date=November 3, 2012|access-date=2008-11-21|publisher=[[Experience]][[Festival]].com}}</ref> A sequel, titled ''[[Nintendogs + Cats]]'', was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2011.

==Gameplay==
''Nintendogs'' uses the DS' [[touchscreen]], where the owner can play with, train, pet, walk, brush, and wash a virtual dog.<ref name="nintendogspg27">{{cite book|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Nintendogs.pdf|title=Nintendogs manual|year=2005|version=Nintendo DS|section=pg 26|access-date=2020-08-04|archive-date=2020-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728061525/https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Nintendogs.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Dogs do not die, have puppies, or age, meaning they remain as puppies.<ref name="nintendogspg8">{{cite book|author=Nintendo |title=Nintendogs manual|section=pg 08|version=Nintendo DS|year=2005}}</ref> The game also utilizes the built-in [[Nintendo DS#Hardware|microphone]], where the player can call their puppy or teach the puppy tricks.<ref name="nintendogspg13">{{cite book|title=Nintendogs manual|section=pg 13|version=Nintendo DS|year=2005}}</ref> Money can be earned by placing in competitions or selling items at the secondhand shop and can be used to purchase supplies, puppies and home decor. Dogs can be walked and can be taken to the park where they can practice [[flying disc|disc]] catching skills for disc competitions and to the gymnasium to practice [[dog agility]] for agility trials.<ref name="nintendogspg27"/> While walking, question mark icons on the map point out areas that may contain neighborhood dogs or presents, though presents can be found unmarked as well.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

Only three dogs may be kept at the player's house at one time and up to five dogs can stay at the dog hotel, where dogs can be swapped, dropped off and picked up at any time. The player can also choose to part ways with a dog by donating a dog to the hotel.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

As time passes without the dog being cared for, its condition will slowly deteriorate as it becomes more hungry and dirty. The condition of the player's dogs can be found by clicking its name. Hunger is listed as: "Full", "Normal", "Hungry", and Famished. Thirst is listed as "Quenched", "Normal", "Thirsty", or "Parched". The condition of the dog's coat is listed as "Beautiful", "Clean", "Normal", "Dirty", or "Filthy".{{cn|date=November 2025}}

''Nintendogs'' features a variety of contests, which are the player's main method of earning money and trainer points. There are three contests; [[disc dog|Disc Competition]], [[dog agility|Agility Trial]], and [[obedience trial|Obedience Trial]]. In each of them, there are five classes: Beginner, Open, Expert, Master and Championship. Each contest is commented on by two men, named Ted Rumsworth and Archie Hubbs. If the player's dog places 3rd or higher in its class, the dog will proceed to the next class, where the contest increases in difficulty level. Prize money earned differs depending on which contest has been entered, what place is finished and the class the dog is in. If the player does not place in the top three, they will be dropped to the previous difficulty level.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nintendogs instruction booklet|publisher=|pages=24}}</ref>

''Nintendogs'' allows users to communicate wirelessly to other ''Nintendogs'' users through Bark Mode.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|date=August 19, 2005|title=Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/643/643652p2.html|access-date=2009-12-25|website=IGN|archive-date=2009-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116175433/http://ds.ign.com/articles/643/643652p2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Before activating Wireless Mode, the player can choose to give the other user a present.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nintendogs instruction booklet|pages=27}}</ref> When another user with Bark Mode activated is nearby, the player will have an opportunity to play with the other trainer's dog and if the user has recorded a voice message on their White Record, the other user will hear the voice message.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nintendogs instruction booklet|pages=28}}</ref>

==Development==
First publicly mentioned in 1997,<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997"/> [[Shigesato Itoi]] (designer of ''[[EarthBound]]''), [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] (designer of ''[[Pokémon]]'') and [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] codeveloped a [[Nintendo 64]] prototype of a pet creature breeding game called ''[[Cabbage (video game)|Cabbage]]''. Its four-year development was fundamentally enabled by the [[real-time clock]] and mass writability introduced in the requisite [[64DD]] peripheral "such that even if the power is cut, [the game] can still raise the creature"<ref name="Cabbage at IGN"/> and with optionally purchasable enhancement data.<ref name="64DD: The Games"/> A subset of creature maintenance functionality would be made portable on the Game Boy and could be synchronized back to the 64DD disk, via the [[Transfer Pak]].<ref name="Cabbage at IGN"/><ref name="64DD: The Games"/> It was expected for release in 1998<ref name="Miyamoto Opens Vault"/> and then, in 2000,<ref name="Cabbage at IGN"/> but all further development was distracted. In 2006, Miyamoto concluded: "It disappeared, didn't it ... However, the conversations and design techniques that popped up when we were making ''Cabbage'' are, of course, connected to ''Nintendogs'' and other things that we're doing now."<ref name="The 64Dream Dec 1997">{{cite journal |last1=Miyamoto |first1=Shigeru |author-link=Shigeru Miyamoto |last2=Itoi |first2=Shigesato |author-link2=Shigesato Itoi |date=December 1997 |others=Translated by Yomuka |title=A friendly discussion between the "Big 2" |url=http://yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/itoi-miyamoto-interview-64dd/ |journal=The 64DREAM |page=91}}</ref><ref name="Cabbage at IGN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/05/nintendo-still-cooking-cabbage |title=Nintendo Still Cooking Cabbage |website=IGN |date=2000-04-04 |access-date=2014-02-25 |archive-date=2014-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223063258/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/05/nintendo-still-cooking-cabbage |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="64DD: The Games">{{cite web | title=64DD: The Games | date=January 29, 1998 | author=IGN Staff | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/30/64dd-the-games | access-date=January 25, 2015 | archive-date=January 29, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129025943/http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/01/30/64dd-the-games | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Miyamoto Opens Vault">{{cite web | title=Miyamoto Opens the Vault | date=August 21, 2006 | first=Anoop | last=Gantayat | website=IGN | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/21/miyamoto-opens-the-vault | access-date=January 28, 2015 | archive-date=September 24, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152037/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/21/miyamoto-opens-the-vault | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="64DD Pet Projects">{{cite web | title=64DD Pet Projects | date=December 10, 1997 | website=IGN | url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061567p1.html | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314205040/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061567p1.html | archive-date=March 14, 2006 | access-date=November 21, 2015}}</ref>

The project which ultimately became ''Nintendogs'' began as a technical demo on the [[GameCube]] long before it was considered for the DS. It was migrated to the DS when the handheld was still in development. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] originally came up with the idea for the game when he and his family bought a dog, which inspired him to create the project.<ref>{{cite interview|last=Miyamoto|first=Shigeru|interviewer=Peter Rojas|title=Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto|url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming|access-date=2009-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724064136/http://www.joystiq.com/2005/10/03/the-engadget-amp-joystiq-interview-nintendos-shigeru/2|archive-date=July 24, 2013|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|date=2005-10-03}}</ref> The game's producer, [[Hideki Konno]], looking for a game to take full advantage of all of the Nintendo DS's features, decided on a dog simulation game. ''Nintendogs'', first called ''Puppy Times'', was originally designed to have fifteen different versions, one for each breed of dog. [[Satoru Iwata]] suggested this to convey the feel that the player was choosing a dog from a [[kennel]]. However, the debugging process for each version was deemed too time-consuming to be feasible. After going back and forth between several versions, they eventually settled on three, with six dogs each and the rest available after completing in-game goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/616/616923p1.html|title=E3 2005: Nintendogs Interview|work=IGN|date=19 May 2005|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=11 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211070742/http://ds.ign.com/articles/616/616923p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Merchandise==
In late 2005, Nintendo of America released the first series of ''Nintendogs'' "6-Card Fun Paks". Three different pack designs (each based on the US-released designs of the DS game) contains an assortment of "Collectible cards, stickers & more!". Each pack randomly contains two of 18 different ''Breed'' cards, one of nine different ''Dog in Training'' tip cards, one of six different ''Miscellaneous'' cards, one of 18 different ''Pop-Up'' Cards, one of six sundry sheets of stickers, one of four temporary tattoos and one ''Sweepstakes'' card. Another series of these cards were released in early 2007 by Enterplay, LLC.<ref>[http://itog.com/item_info.pl?id=16283 Nintendogs - Is That One Good?<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{Dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref> These cards, officially licensed by Nintendo, were created by the same individuals who worked on the first series. As such, the cards greatly resemble the first series. Keeping the "6-Card Fun Pak" name, each package contains two of 20 different ''At the Kennel'' cards (which feature all eighteen breeds from the games,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/cards/cards_index.jsp|title=- Nintendo - Customer Service - Cards|access-date=28 January 2015|archive-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222239/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/cards/cards_index.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref> including the Dalmatian and Jack Russell Terrier), one of nine ''Dog in Training'' tip cards, one of four ''Miscellaneous'' cards, one of 20 ''Pop-Up'' Cards, one of six sheets of stickers, one of four temporary tattoos and one ''Sweepstakes'' card. The next series also features three sundry packages, this time with a Dalmatian, Beagle and Pug on the front of the package.

A line of ''Nintendogs'' [[stuffed animal|plush toys]] were released in Japan, featuring the most popular breeds in each game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-04-14 |title=グッズ紹介 |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/adgj/kgoods/index.html |access-date=2022-01-24 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414043216/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/adgj/kgoods/index.html |archive-date=14 April 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> They are also available at the [[Nintendo World Store]]. Various ''Nintendogs'' T-shirts were also made available at the Nintendo World Store.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} In Europe and Australia, a series of plush toys with an electronic sensor were released, and when the owner shook the bone, the dog would walk and bark.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} Nintendo has also released a set of plushes through Earthwood Toys.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}  

Nintendo also commissioned several specially designed Nintendo DS systems to tie in with the game's release, with one of them being a diamond-studded pink Nintendo DS designed by Peach NYC.  This particular DS went up for auction in 2024, with bids easily exceeding nearly $20,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norman |first1=Jim |title=Random: Crystal-Studded Nintendo DS Expected To Reach £15,000 At Upcoming Auction |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-crystal-studded-nintendo-ds-expected-to-reach-p15000-at-upcoming-auction |website=NintendoLife |access-date=1 May 2024 |date=April 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Nintendogs: Chihuahua & Friends <!-- Aggregators -->
| GR = 85.27%<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web|title=Nintendogs: Chihuahua and Friends Reviews|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/926847.asp?q=Nintendogs|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2008-11-21|archive-date=2009-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110205030/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/926847.asp?q=Nintendogs|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC = 83/100
<!-- Reviewers -->
| ''1UP'' = B+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3143004&did=1 |title=Nintendogs DS Review |last=Matsuzaki |first=Kimi |date=August 20, 2005 |website=[[1Up.com]] |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619093727/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3143004&did=1 |archive-date=June 19, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| ''Edge'' = 7/10
| ''EuroG'' = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-nintendogs-ds |title=Nintendogs |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=November 17, 2006 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209075215/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-nintendogs-ds |url-status=live }}</ref>
| ''Fam'' = 40/40<ref name=Kotaku/>
| GI = 8/10
| ''GamePro'' = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/47846.shtml |title=Review: Nintendogs |last=Burner |first=Rice |date=August 22, 2005 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122164829/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/ds/games/reviews/47846.shtml |archive-date=November 22, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| ''GMaster'' = 82/100
| ''GSpot'' = 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nintendogs-review/1900-6131604/ |title=Nintendogs Review |last=Massimilla |first=Bethany |date=August 19, 2005 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205123653/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nintendogs-review/1900-6131604/ |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| ''GSpy'' = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/nintendogs-shiba/644047p1.html |title=Nintendogs: Lab & Friends (DS) |last=Theobald |first=Phil |date=August 22, 2005 |website=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227091418/http://ds.gamespy.com/nintendo-ds/nintendogs-shiba/644047p1.html |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| ''GameZone'' = 9.3/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24992.htm |title=Nintendogs Review |last=David |first=Mike |date=September 12, 2005 |website=GameZone |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412155439/https://nds.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24992.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| ''IGN'' = 8.8/10
<!-- Custom reviewers -->
<!-- Awards -->
}}

The game was well received by critics, with an average score of 85% at [[GameRankings|Game Rankings]].<ref name="gamerankings"/> In the May 2005 edition of the ''[[Famitsu]]'', Japan's most popular gaming magazine, ''Nintendogs'' received a perfect 40/40 score. Only four other games had attained this score at the time.<ref name=Kotaku>Ashcraft, Brian. [http://kotaku.com/5012898/famitsu-gives-metal-gear-solid-4-perfect-score Famitsu Gives Metal Gear Solid 4 Perfect Score] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324114643/http://kotaku.com/5012898/famitsu-gives-metal-gear-solid-4-perfect-score |date=2017-03-24 }}. Kotaku.com. Retrieved 06-04-2008.</ref> It also received an 8.5 out of 10 in ''[[Nintendo Power]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Sinfield |first1=George |last2=Myers |first2=Andy |date=October 2005 |title=Nintendogs |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |issue=196 |page=96}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' gave ''Nintendogs'' an 8 out of 10, reflecting on the game's lack of an ending.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200504/N05.0408.1929.45149.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723182258/http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200504/N05.0408.1929.45149.htm|archive-date=2008-07-23|title=Exclusive Nintendogs First Look|magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url-status=dead|access-date=28 January 2015}}</ref> Game Oracle gave it 85% and a recommendation saying that unlike most sims, it has a lot of depth.

===Sales===
In the first week of its release in Japan (April 18, 2005, to April 24, 2005), the three versions, ''Shiba & Friends'', ''Miniature Dachshund & Friends'' and ''Chihuahua & Friends'', sold 75,000, 49,000 and 44,000, respectively, totalling 168,000 units. This title game also boosted the Nintendo DS system sales by over 4.2 times the previous week to 95,000 units, up from 22,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/608/608232p1.html|title=DS Sales Skyrocket in Japan|website=IGN|date=April 28, 2005|author=Anoop Gantayet|access-date=July 20, 2005|archive-date=May 7, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507131404/http://ds.ign.com/articles/608/608232p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the 91st best-selling game in Japan in 2008, selling 142,591 copies combined, with cumulative Japanese sales of 1,850,984 combined by 2008.<ref name="famitsu100">{{cite web|title=2008 top 100|url=http://www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/dkbkq103/yso/top100/2008.htm|publisher=Kyoto.zaq.ne.jp|access-date=2009-01-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213082759/http://www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/dkbkq103/yso/top100/2008.htm|archive-date=2012-02-13}}</ref>

In Europe, it was the top-selling Nintendo [[2005 in video games|game of 2005]] with {{nowrap|1.6 million}} copies sold that year.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Jordan|first=Jon|date=January 5, 2006|title=DS lead increases further|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/news/ds-lead-increases-further/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-13|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113111051/https://www.pocketgamer.com/news/ds-lead-increases-further/}}</ref> The game went on to sell {{nowrap|23.96 million}} copies worldwide, making it the second [[List of best-selling Nintendo DS video games|best-selling Nintendo DS game]] of all time.<ref name="dssales">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html|title=Sales Data - Top Selling Software Sales Units - Nintendo DS Software|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2020-09-30|access-date=2020-11-17|archive-date=2016-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427092514/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/ds.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Nintendo, the majority of ''Nintendogs'' owners were [[Women and video games|female]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jon |date=27 October 2006 |title=How DS created a new generation of girl gamers |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/news/how-ds-created-a-new-generation-of-girl-gamers/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=[[Pocket Gamer]] |archive-date=2022-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519202853/https://www.pocketgamer.com/news/how-ds-created-a-new-generation-of-girl-gamers/ }}</ref>

''Nintendogs'' also had very successful launches in North America and Europe, with first week sales of over 250,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6393|title=Nintendo Reveals Impressive U.S. Nintendogs Figures|website=Gamasutra|date=September 1, 2005|access-date=October 12, 2005|archive-date=November 19, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051119043353/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6393|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 160,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/nintendo-claims-european-sales-boost-for-ds|title=Nintendo Claims European Sales Boost For DS|date=October 12, 2005|website=Gamasutra|access-date=October 12, 2005|archive-date=December 12, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051212092205/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6811|url-status=live}}</ref> respectively. ''Lab & Friends'' received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=dpelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3945 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ELSPA also gave ''Dalmatian & Friends'' a "Platinum" award, for at least 300,000 sales in the United Kingdom.<ref name=platinumelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=May 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  By August 2006, in the United States, ''Chihuahua & Friends'' had sold 570,000 copies and earned $17 million; ''Labrador & Friends'' had sold 620,000 copies and earned $19 million; and ''Dachshund & Friends'' had sold 730,000 copies and earned $22 million. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, the games were respectively the 50th, 44th and 32nd highest-selling games launched for the [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Nintendo DS]] or [[PlayStation Portable]] in the United States.<ref name=nextgensales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010052300/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |title=The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games| author=Keiser, Joe | date=August 2, 2006 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On March 23, 2006, at [[Game Developers Conference|GDC 2006]], Nintendo's president [[Satoru Iwata]] announced that international sales of ''Nintendogs'' sales had reached 6{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/23/gdc-the-nintendo-keynote-blow-by-blow/|title=GDC: The Nintendo keynote blow by blow (Updated)|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=2006-06-30|archive-date=2006-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060612213018/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/23/gdc-the-nintendo-keynote-blow-by-blow/|url-status=live}}</ref> By March 31, 2008, the game was the [[List of best-selling Nintendo DS video games|best-selling Nintendo DS game]] published by Nintendo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf#page=6|title=Financial Results Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ended March 2008: Supplementary Information|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2008-04-25|format=PDF|page=6|access-date=2008-08-03|archive-date=2008-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910032513/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2008/080425e.pdf#page=6|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 31, 2015, the combined sales of all versions has reached 23.96 million and it is now second on [[List of best-selling Nintendo DS video games|the Nintendo DS best-sellers list]] behind ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''<ref name=mar15/>

===Awards===
In addition to recognitions from publications such as ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', ''[[BusinessWeek]]'' and the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times|Chicago Sun Times]]'', ''Nintendogs'' also won a wide variety of awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_12_06_07_03AM.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420051511/http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_12_06_07_03AM.htm|archive-date=2010-04-20|title=Nintendogs Packs the Doghouse With Year-End Awards|date=January 12, 2006|publisher=Video Game News|access-date=Feb 1, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2005 [[Game Critics Awards]]: Best Handheld Game.<ref>{{cite web|title=2005 Winners|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2005winners.html|publisher=gamecriticsawards.com|year=2006|access-date=Feb 1, 2010|archive-date=June 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623153723/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2005winners.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''TheG33ks'' Bronze Award for best Nintendo DS game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendo-video-game.com/nintendogs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130061427/http://nintendo-video-game.com/nintendogs/|archive-date=2010-01-30|title=Nintendogs|date=September 28, 2009|publisher=Nintendo Video Game|access-date=Feb 1, 2010}}</ref>
* ''[[Associated Press]]'': "Best Game of 2005"<ref name="gamezoneawards">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_12_06_07_03AM.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420051511/http://www.gamezone.com/news/01_12_06_07_03AM.htm|archive-date=2010-04-20|title=Nintendogs Packs the Doghouse With Year-End Awards |date=12 January 2006|publisher=Gamezone.com|access-date=7 February 2010}}</ref>
* 2005 [[Japan Media Arts Festival]]: Excellence Prize<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/2005/entertainment/000474/index.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624021024/http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/2005/entertainment/000474/index.php|archive-date=2009-06-24|title=2005 Japan Media Arts Festival Entertainment Division Excellence Prize Nintendogs|publisher=Japan Media Arts Plaza|access-date=7 February 2010}}</ref>
* ''[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]'': "2006 Innovation Award"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcworld.about.com/news/Dec292005id123942.htm|title=2006 PC World Innovations Awards|publisher=About.com|access-date=7 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202091533/http://pcworld.about.com/news/Dec292005id123942.htm|archive-date=2 December 2009}}</ref>
* D&AD: Yellow Pencils Award 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=Yellow Pencil Awards|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9488|publisher=gamesutra.com|access-date=2006-05-26|archive-date=2006-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627033554/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=9488|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]]: Best Animal-Friendly Video Game 2006<ref>{{cite web|title=2006 Winners |url=http://www.peta.org.uk/feat/proggy/2006/winners.html |publisher=PETA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526043609/http://www.peta.org.uk/feat/proggy/2006/winners.html |archive-date=May 26, 2006 }}</ref>
* ''[[IGN]]'': Editors' Choice Award<ref>{{cite web|title=IGN Editors' Choice Games |url=http://ds.ign.com/index/choice.html |website=IGN |access-date=2006-09-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080716202100/http://ds.ign.com/index/choice.html |archive-date=July 16, 2008 }}</ref>
* ''[[IGN]]'': Best use of touch screen for Nintendo DS<ref>{{cite web|title=IGN.com presents the Best of 2005 |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/ds/15.html |website=IGN |access-date=2008-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308185446/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/ds/15.html |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}</ref>
* ''[[GameSpot]]'': Editors' Choice award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.gamespot.com/misc/editorschoice/index.html|title=Editor's Choice - GameSpot|website=GameSpot|access-date=Feb 1, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115091802/http://au.gamespot.com/misc/editorschoice/index.html|archive-date=2010-01-15}}</ref>
* [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]] [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]: [[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Handheld Game of the Year]], [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering]] (tied with ''[[Guitar Hero (video game)|Guitar Hero]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/10/dice-2006-interactive-achievement-awards |title=DICE 2006: Interactive Achievement Awards |author=IGN Staff |website=[[IGN]] |date=17 June 2012 |access-date=27 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-9/winners.asp |title=9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards Winners |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=27 October 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060307200848/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-9/winners.asp |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

===Legacy===
In 2010, ''[[1UP.com]]'' included ''Nintendogs'' in their list of five "Essential Newcomers" of the decade, describing it as one of "five revolutionary new games" of the past 10 years, for its impact on drawing "non-gamers to [[Video game console|console]] and [[Handheld game console|portable]] systems" and establishing the "new" Nintendo. Despite derision from many [[hardcore gamers]], ''Nintendogs'' sold tens of millions, mostly among [[casual gamer]]s and paved the way for the [[Nintendo DS]]'s worldwide success. This gave rise to a [[non-game]] trend, previously limited to PCs, on consoles and portables. Nintendo followed it up with more [[casual game]]s such as ''[[Brain Age]]'', ''[[Wii Sports]]'' and ''[[Wii Fit]]'', establishing Nintendo as the most successful developer and publisher of the decade.<ref name="1up_essential_nintendogs">{{cite web|last=Parish|first=Jeremy|title=The Decade That Was: Essential Newcomers: Nintendogs |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3178082 |page=5 |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=23 September 2011 |date=February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060041/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3178082 |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref>

==Sequel and later references==
{{further|Nintendogs + Cats|l1=''Nintendogs + Cats''}}
It was announced during Nintendo's 2010 E3 presentation that [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] was working on a new ''Nintendogs'' project, involving some new innovations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/game/?g=ndogs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714074409/http://e3.nintendo.com/3ds/game/?g=ndogs |archive-date=14 July 2010 |title=Nintendo E3 Network |work=[[Nintendo Network]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref> The game, titled ''[[Nintendogs + Cats]]'' was finished in 2011 for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and was released as a launch title in all regions.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

A microgame based on ''Nintendogs'' appears in the game ''[[WarioWare: Smooth Moves]]''. A ''Nintendogs'' Labrador Retriever puppy also appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as an assist trophy; owing to the nonviolent nature of the ''Nintendogs'' game, rather than fighting actively, the dog "plays" in front of the screen, blocking view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fragland.net/reviews/Super-Smash-Bros-Brawl/1247/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227145946/http://www.fragland.net/reviews/Super-Smash-Bros-Brawl/1247/|archive-date=2012-02-27|title=Review: Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)|publisher=Fragland|access-date=7 February 2010}}</ref> A French bulldog appears in [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U'']], taking the role of the Labrador Retriever, and the Nintendo 3DS version features a ''[[Nintendogs + Cats]]'' stage. Both the assist trophy, now represented by a Toy Poodle, and the stage reappear in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. Multiple ''Nintendogs'' themed items are available as downloadable content in ''[[Animal Crossing: City Folk]]'' as well as its sequel, ''[[Animal Crossing: New Leaf]]'', where they can be purchased with in-game currency.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official|http://nintendogs.com/}}

{{Nintendo franchises}}
[[Category:2005 video games]]
[[Category:Casual games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS-only games]]
[[Category:Nintendo franchises]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development games]]
[[Category:Touch! Generations]]
[[Category:Virtual pet video games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:Video games about dogs]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]