Sit! Stay! Rollover! There's a good Mark...
Several new breeds of lovable little pooch, including Boxer,
German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier and Beagle.
If the DS was the surprise success story of last year, then Nintendogs was its leading
light. The hugely successful virtual puppy simulator won over an adoring public with its
intuitive touch-screen interaction, while the little cuter-than-cute 3D dogs melted the
collective hearts of a largely female non-gaming audience.
Dalmation and Friends joins Labrador, Miniature Dachshund and Chihuahua in the
Nintendogs collection, bringing with it several new breeds of lovable little pooch,
including Boxer, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier and Beagle.
The DS Difference
In truth, it's all of these things that make Nintendogs such fun, and Dalmatian only
heaps on the innovation. Indeed, it's even backwards compatible with the older versions of
the game - if someone with another version meets a Dalmatian in Bark Mode, the breed will
become unlocked in their version too.
Another excellent addition to the ingenious Nintendogs
canon.
Speaking of which, there's a total of 20 breeds in Dalmatian and Friends; the six
abovementioned ones, plus twelve others unlockable through trainer points, and two secret
breeds if you find hidden items. And, in keeping with the additions, there's a new flat
with a fresh, 'Early American' feel; several other rooms in the Reform Shop from the
beginning of the game; many new items to buy and find; three hidden rooms to discover; and
new competitions to enter your dog into.
Dalmation may be more of the same, then - but when you're talking about an award-winning formula beloved by all, that's no bad thing. Nintendogs: Dalmatian and Friends is another excellent addition to the ingenious Nintendogs canon, and an especially perfect purchase for DS newcomers. There's a good dog.
GAME's Verdict
- More madcap puppy fun!
- Brand new breeds, accessories flat and more!
- Backwards compatible with older Nintendogs versions in Bark Mode
- More a virtual pet sim than a game
- Can get a bit repetetive
- Puppies aren't always responsive to voice commands
Review by: Mark Scott
Review Published: 21.06.06