Nintendogs [impressions thread]
My preordered copy finaly came in today! I must say that this game is better than I expected. The animation of the dogs are very realistic. The interactivity is cool, too. There are three versions that you can buy. Dachshunds and friends, Lab and friends, and Chiuuahua and friends. I bought the Dachshunds version.
I bought a golden retriever that I named Sparky. It made me make the dog learn his name by speaking it into the microphone. Then I had to type it in. The first trick it made me teach it was to sit down. Some reviewer said it took forever to do those thing, but I guess she really sucked at the game because I don't think it took me over three minutes to do that!
Anyway, from there, the game let's you do what it wants. I tought Sparky to lie down, shake, and play dead. I would teach it more, but the game told me that Sparky is tired of learning for today, and I'll have to wait until tomarrow!
Next I decided to enter a contest. You can go for a "Disc Competition", an "Agility Trial", and an "Obedience Trial." So I decided to enter the "Obedience Trial- Beginners Class". I failed to place three times because I found out later that it helps to have your dog the cleanest as it can get. Plus, Sparky refused to one command each try. I guess I'm going to have to work on that! I would go for it again, but it limits you to three constests a day (no matter what contests you pick, you can only do three, I mean). This is also how you earn money in the game.
I decided to take Sparky for a walk. Taking your dog for a walk helps to build the dogs stamina. A map is placed on the bottom of the touch screen. You then use your stylus to set your path. It only lets you set a path for as long as your dog can walk (as indicated by a meter on the left). The more walks you dog goes on, the longer path it can walk. You can visit many places during a walk. In fact, I already been on three walks myself where the following things has happened.
*When I set my path, there was a question mark. When Sparky reached that point, he found a present I could use on him.
*When Sparky reached the question mark point, we ran into another owner walking his/her dog. Sparky played with the dog and he was in a great mood!
*Sparky and I stopped by the park. This is a great place to practice your dog's skill with catching a flying disc! In fact, I did just that!
Keep in mind that you have to take care of your dog too. There is a shop where you can buy toys, food, water, and several other items. Basic stuff doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, either. I started out with one thousand dollars. Sparky cost five hundred fifty dollars. I bought nine items of food, water, and bath itmes. Later, I sold a couple of things I did not need. I have $402.70 right now. To check your dog's needs, all you have to do it touch the status bar on the touch screen!
There is also "Bark Mode" where you pretty much put your DS in sleep mode. If another Nintendogs owner has the game, and he/she is in bark mode, your dogs will meet. I am not 100% sure, but from what I read, I think you unlock other breeds of dogs not available on your version if you meet another owner. I am not sure if this works if you run into an owner with the same verison as you, though.
Overall, I am having tons of fun with this game. I hope that I can one day run into another owner while I have it in bark mode! This is the ultimate pick up and play game, so if you are into those, pick this up! If you are weary of purchasing the game, most electronic stores have a demo of the game. Try it out!
