nintendogs (2005) - pet the screen, call its name; a perfect 40 in Famitsu

October 7, 2005, in Europe

Hello, Toki here. This is episode 76 of "Today Is Release Day." Today's pick is nintendogs for the Nintendo DS.

Its European release date was October 7, 2005, exactly 21 years ago today. Nintendo EAD developed it and Nintendo published it. The date agrees across English Wikipedia, a Nintendo fan wiki, and an industry news article. Japan had received it about half a year earlier, on April 21, 2005.From the thumbnail of "Nintendo DS - Nintendogs Trailer 1" (TODODECOMPUTO, YouTube)

What kind of game: pet the screen, call its name

It is a pet simulation about raising dogs. You pet, play with, and wash the dog on the touch screen.

You can call the dog by name into the built-in microphone and teach it tricks. You cared for it with hands and voice, not buttons.

The software was split by breed. The first three were Dachshund & Friends, Lab & Friends (Shiba & Friends in Japan), and Chihuahua & Friends.

The wireless feature is called "Bark Mode" in English, and lets players exchange presents. English Wikipedia says Shigeru Miyamoto conceived the project after his family got a dog.

Reception: Famitsu gave it a perfect 40

Famitsu's cross review gave it a perfect 40 in May 2005. English Wikipedia says only four other games had reached that score before.

English Wikipedia lists a GameRankings average of 85.27% and a Metacritic score of 83. IGN and GameSpot each gave an Editors' Choice award.

Sales followed. An industry news article reports 1.18 million in Japan, the first Nintendo DS title to pass one million there.

In Europe it sold 1.6 million by the end of 2005 (English Wikipedia). Nintendo of Europe announced almost 2 million since the October 7 launch. The same article notes that it is unusual for a Nintendo franchise to sell most in Europe.

Worldwide, all versions had sold 23.96 million as of March 31, 2016, second among DS games after New Super Mario Bros.

Video: a trailer

The video below is a trailer for the Nintendo DS game. It was uploaded by TODODECOMPUTO and is not from Nintendo's official channel. I include it as a record to convey the feel of petting the screen.

Writing it down: 2005

2005. October 7. Now that I have written the date, the article feels finished.

April in Japan, October in Europe. Putting the dates side by side shows the same dog game arriving on another continent half a year later.

Have you ever called out the name of a pet on a screen?