I remember it like it was yesterday: the year was 2005 and my daughter was only 6 years old. Friends came over for a visit with their two young sons and brought the latest gadget with them: a DS. Honestly, this was the first time I ever saw one, as I wasn’t into gaming back then. Excitedly we all gathered around to see the boys virtual dog. Not only did it play around in it’s virtual room, but it actually came to the screen when he called! And wow: it licked the screen!
You might be smiling right now and thinking: what’s the big deal? But back then, when Nintendo released Nintendogs and the DS Phat (as it’s lovingly called) it was something we had never seen before. As my little girl had her birthday coming up, a birthday presents was quickly decided upon. Soon she had a pink metallic DS Phat with Nintendogs on it. Her first dog was a beagle named Senna. In fact, I think it’s still in her game, covered in fleas no doubt.
That was my first real experience with a virtual pet, not counting the Tamagotchi I had years earlier. No comparison there, this dog you could really interact with. There have been more virtual pet games since but none for the Switch yet.
Little Friends: Cats & Dogs coming to Switch
That’s gonna change soon enough, when Little Friends: Cats & Dogs frolics onto Nintendos hybrid console. Japanese studio Imagineer brings the simulation genre back to life. And once again, you can interact with your new furry friend through the Switches’ touch screen. There are six different dog breeds, there will be three types of kittens too. Choose between:
- Toy Poodle
- Shiba
- Chihuahua
- French Bulldog
- Labrador
- Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Japanese Cat
- American Shorthair
- Scottish Fold
That might not seem like many, but each dog will have their own personality, size, shape and colouring.
The apartments where your four legged friends will live, holds up to three pets of any breed and species combined. The pet-hotel will hold 12 animals. You can play with them, dress them, give them baths and take them for a walk. Of course, there are competitions (flying disc etc) and you can also change the look of your apartments. Lots and lots to do.
The game has already been in stores in Japan since December. From what I’ve read about it, Imagineer takes up right where Nintendo left off. So if you are ready for some über cuteness: the game is available on May 28 in the eShop and as a physical release.
Check out the trailer below
I know some children that would love to get hold of this.
Yeah, I even know a young lady who’d love to return to her furry friends.
This looks so cute! Will definitely be getting a copy 🙂
You’re right, I bet it’ll be cuteness overload. We need that on the Switch, right?
That looks too cute! I remember when I got Nintendogs on the DS, my real-life dog was very jealous of it. I had to make sure my DS was always out of her reach, because every time she saw me with it, she would try to bite it LOL!
Clever fog, Brandi!