Nintendo Needs to Bring Back One of Its Most Iconic DS Franchises Now More Than Ever

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I am speaking, of course, about Nintendogs. These pet simulators were first released in 2005, so the series just celebrated a pretty big birthday. After the original trio hit the Nintendo DS, we got a reprise with new breeds to care for on the 3DS. But since the 2011 release of the Nintendogs + Cats games, we’ve heard nary a peep about our favorite pet simulators. Rumors about the franchise’s return have swirled for a while now, after Nintendo reportedly re-upped its trademark for the name. And thanks to some key Switch 2 features, the time has never been better for Nintendogs to make a comeback.

What Made Nintendogs Incredible

Image courtesy of Nintendo

So-called “cozy games” have risen in popularity in recent years, spurred on by Stardew Valley‘s success and a general need for more low-stress hobbies. But before we had a name for these kinds of games, they still existed. We had The Sims. We had Harvest Moon. And for a brief and beautiful moment in history, we had Nintendogs.

This game let us raise virtual pups, taking the pet simulator game far above a Tamagotchi. In large part, Nintendogs was possible thanks to the Nintendo DS touchscreen and built-in microphone. These features allowed Nintendo to create a pet simulator that truly felt immersive. You could actually pet your virtual pups, throw things for them, even take them for a virtual walk. And of course, you could talk to your pups, teaching them tricks and giving them praise.

Whether or not it was an excuse to show off what the DS could do, Nintendogs was a brilliant proof of concept for the handheld. I still remember how excited I was picking up that DS stylus to pet my virtual pup for the first time. And getting to actually talk to the dogs in the game? Priceless. This, along with the game’s real-time components, made the pet simulator feel lifelike. You had to actually keep track of your dog’s thirst and hunger, not to mention remember to give them a bath.

The game also introduced many of us to the grind that would later make live-service gacha games a sensation. You could compete in different contests to earn trainer points and money, which you used to unlock new items and progress in the game. In many ways, Nintendogs was ahead of its time. And now, its time needs to come again.

Why It’s Time for a New Nintendogs

Image Courtesy of Nintendo

These days, simulator games have only grown in popularity, even on the Switch. But Nintendogs itself hasn’t had a new entry in years. This may partly be due to hardware. After all, the Nintendo Switch has leaned into the Joy-Con technology and away from an emphasis on touch screen capabilities. It doesn’t even have a built-in microphone. If Nintendogs had released for the Switch, it might have lost some of that original charm. Perhaps that’s part of why Nintendo never made it happen.

But now? The Switch 2 has brought the built-in mic back. And the Joy-Cons themselves present an opportunity to explore what a pet simulator might look like if you can actually “throw” those tennis balls for your dog. Nintendo, we have the technology. It’s time to give us more Nintendogs.

Not only does the Switch 2 bring back the ability to talk to your virtual pup in real time, the timing is just perfect. There’s very clearly a market for more Nintendogs in today’s gaming space. Life sims and cozy games are more popular than ever, and exciting new ones are popping up all the time. But as someone who watches this space passionately, I can honestly say, nothing has come close to Nintendogs.

Yes, there are new pet simulator games out there. But many of them are indies released via Steam. That first-person perspective on a computer or Steam Deck has its own charm, but it’s nothing to what Nintendogs gave us. And with live service capabilities being so much more robust these days, adding new dog breeds, home decor, and puppy supplies would be a lot easier, giving the games a longer life than they had on the DS and 3DS.

The fans want a new Nintendogs. The Switch 2 has the technology to make a new Nintendogs. So, Nintendo… when are you going to play fetch with this one?