Nintendogs (universe)

Nintendogs (universe)
Developer(s)	Nintendo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Genre(s)	Pet-Raising Simulation
Console/platform of origin	Nintendo DS
First installment	Nintendogs: Dachshund & Friends, Shiba & Friends, and Chihuahua & Friends (2005)
Latest installment	Nintendogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends (2011)

The Nintendogs universe (ニンテンドッグス, Nintendogs) is a real-time pet simulation franchise developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS.

Franchise description

The origins of the series can be traced by to 1997, where Shigesato Itoi, Tsunekazu Ishihara, and Shigeru Miyamoto worked together on a pet simulation tech demo for the Nintendo 64 codenamed Cabbage. This demo used the internal clock and writable cartridges on the 64DD add-on to add an unprecedented layer of depth and customizability to the pets on consoles. It also had cross-functionality with the Game Boy, though the exact mechanics have never been revealed. After several delays and the failure and discontinuation of the 64DD in 2000, the project was ultimately canceled, but elements were taken and used in a GameCube tech demo, titled Puppy Times at this point, based on the experiences of Miyamoto when his family got a pet dog. Development shifted to the DS after the team thought the project was better suited for the system.

The original idea was for every dog breed to have its own dedicated game, as if the player chose the dog from a kennel. However, developing fifteen different games simultaneously proved too complicated and time consuming, so the project was condensed into three versions: Dachshund & Friends, Shiba & Friends (titled Lab & Friends outside of Japan), and Chihuahua & Friends. It has been re-released twice since then, first as a bundled release with a special edition Nintendo DS with a new version called Nintendogs: Best Friends, and then again as Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends. A full sequel, Nintendogs + Cats, released as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS. This game also came in three different versions: French Bulldog & New Friends, Shiba & New Friends (titled Golden Retriever & New Friends outside of Japan), and Toy Poodle & New Friends.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Assist Trophy

A Labrador Retriever Nintendog features in Brawl as an Assist Trophy. When summoned, the Nintendog will appear at regular size among the players, before jumping towards the screen and trying to play with the player. This will obscure a player's view of the stage.

Trophy

Nintendog's trophy in Brawl

Nintendog

A puppy for you to train on your Nintendo DS. They come in a wide variety of breeds, colors, coat styles, and personalities. You can train them, use dog toys to play with them, and feed them treats to establish a real link with your virtual pet. Other features include the ability to enter your dog in disc-catching contests and agility trials on obstacle courses.

: Nintendogs

Stickers

Name	Game	Effect	Characters
Miniature Dachshund	Nintendogs	AttackTail+028 Attack +28	Fox Falco Wolf
Chihuahua	Nintendogs	AttackTail+012 Attack +12	Yoshi Diddy Pikachu Pokémon Trainer
Shiba Inu	Nintendogs	SpecialLaunchPower+012 +12	All characters
Welsh Corgi	Nintendogs	SpecialFoodEffect+006 +6	All characters

Miniature Dachshund (Nintendogs)

Chihuahua (Nintendogs)

Shiba Inu (Nintendogs)

Welsh Corgi (Nintendogs)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

The Nintendogs universe saw a marginal boost in representation in Smash 4, with a new stage, two new songs, and an update to the Assist Trophy.

Stage (for Nintendo 3DS only)

• 
  Living Room (Starter): A stage based on nintendogs + cats appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Various types of cats and dogs appear in the background. Building blocks and toys occasionally fall onto the arena and disappear later.

Assist Trophy

• Nintendog: The Nintendog assist trophy returns, this time as a French Bulldog, with the same role as in Brawl, blocking the screen from the player.

Music

• Bath Time Theme
• Bath Time Theme (Vocal Mix)

Trophies

Nintendog's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Nintendog's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

nintendog

/ Nintendog

This is one of the many adorable dogs you can care for in Nintendogs + Cats. It's hard for them to wag their little tails, but they make up for it with that cute face. In Smash Bros., they want to get right up in your face, blocking your view of the battle. They just want to be loved!

This is one of the many adorable dogs you can care for in nintendogs + cats. It's hard for them to wag their little tails, but they make up for it with that cute face. In Smash Bros., they want to get right up in your face, blocking your view of the battle. They just want to be loved!

: nintendogs (08/2005)

: nintendogs + cats (03/2011)

This is one of the many adorable dogs you can take care of in Nintendogs + Cats. They aren't big tail-waggers, but they have the cutest little faces. In this game, one might come right up to the screen and block your view! It just wants to play, so don't get annoyed, OK?

: nintendogs (10/2005)

: nintendogs + cats (03/2011)

Toy Poodle's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Toy Poodle

Those adorable eyes and curly hair may remind people of teddy bears more easily than dogs. But unlike a stuffed animal, these dogs are active and love to play. One reason the dogs are so popular is that they are quite easy to train. They appear in Toy Poodle & New Friends.

Their adorable eyes and curly hair make them look almost like teddy bears! Unlike stuffed animals, though, these dogs don't sit still. They're active, highly curious and love to play with people. One of the main reasons they're so popular is because they're easy to train. You can pick this breed in Toy Poodle & New Friends.

Nintendogs (universe)'s trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Shiba Inu

Shiba

The Shiba is one of the oldest breeds in the world. These Japanese dogs can be very loyal, and in the past their agility and active nature proved useful to their owners on hunting trips. You can look after and train one of these dogs in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

The Shiba is one of the oldest breeds in the world. These Japanese dogs can be very loyal, and in the past, their agility and active nature was useful to their owners on hunting trips. You can look after and train one of these dogs in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

Beagle's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Beagle

Hunting wild rabbits used to be a popular sport in England, and the beagle, an active and playful breed, was a popular companion for it. Perhaps sleeping beagles nowadays dream of chasing rabbits like their ancestors. You can choose this breed in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

Hunting wild rabbits used to be a popular sport in England and the beagle was a popular companion for it. Known for its distinctive voice, the beagle is quite active and playful. Perhaps sleeping beagles nowadays dream of chasing rabbits like their ancestors. You can choose this breed in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

Jack Russell Terrier's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Jack Russell Terrier

This breed originated in England and is especially good at chasing foxes. With no foxes in the living room, though, it'll chase toys instead. Terriers are tough, athletic, and curious—a perfect fit for someone who is the same! You can choose this breed in Toy Poodle & New Friends.

This breed from the British Isles loves chasing small animals. If there aren't any in your living room, they'll just chase toys instead: balls, Mario karts – whatever's lying around. They're tough, athletic and highly curious. If that also sounds like you, maybe you'd be a good match! Take care of one in Toy Poodle & New Friends.

Golden Retriever's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Golden Retriever

This large breed was originally from Scotland and was used to hunt waterfowl. They're smart but way too friendly to make good guard dogs. They come in a variety of shades, but all members of the breed share the golden color. This breed is included in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

This large breed from Scotland used to hunt waterfowl. They're intelligent, but a tad too friendly to be good guard dogs. With them all being the same colour, one Golden Retriever might look like the next, but in Nintendogs + Cats, no two dogs are the same on the inside. You can take care of one in Golden Retriever & New Friends.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Stage

• 
  Living Room (Starter): Returns as a retro stage, it received an HD upgrade from its apparition in Smash for 3DS.

Assist Trophy

• Nintendog: The Nintendog returns once again in Ultimate, with the same role as in Brawl and Smash 4. The Nintendog's breed is now of a Toy Poodle.

Music

Original track

• Bathtime Theme: A rock-based remix of the Bath theme from Nintendogs.

Returning tracks

• Bathtime Theme (for 3DS / Wii U): An arrangement of the Bath theme from Nintendogs. Returns from Smash 4
• Bathtime Theme (Vocal Mix) (for 3DS / Wii U): An arrangement of the Bath theme with vocalizations, from Nintendogs. Returns from Smash 4.

Spirits

The following characters from the series are spirits.

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Cost	Ability
1,254		Toy Poodle		★★	1	Stats ↑ after Eating
1,255		French Bulldog		★★	1	Undamaged Attack ↑
1,256		Labrador Retriever		★★	1	Physical Attack ↑

Games with elements appearing in the Super Smash Bros. series

Nintendogs

• Stages:
  • Living Room appears as a stage.
• Stage elements:
  • The Beagle, Toy Poodle, Golden Retriever, Shiba Inu and Jack Russell Terrier appear in the background of Living Room.
• Assist Trophies:
  • A Nintendog appears as an Assist Trophy, with the breed being the Labrador Retriever.
  • The Nintendog Assist Trophy is of the Toy Poodle breed in Ultimate.
• Trophies:
  • The Labrador Retriever appears as a trophy.
  • The Toy Poodle, Shiba Inu, Beagle, Jack Russell Terrier, and Golden Retriever appear as trophies.
• Stickers:
  • The Miniature Dachshund, Chihuahua, Shiba Inu and Welsh Corgi appear as stickers.
• Spirits:
  • The Labrador Retriever and Toy Poodle appear as spirits.
• Music:
  • "Bathtime Theme": a remix of the bath theme.
  • "Bathtime Theme (Vocal Mix)": a remix of the bath theme using the same arrangement as the regular remix but with added vocals.
  • "Bathtime Theme": a new remix of the same bath theme.

Nintendogs + Cats

• Stages:
  • Living Room is based on its appearance in this game.
• Stage elements:
  • The Calico Cat appears in the background of Living Room.
• Assist Trophies:
  • The Nintendog Assist Trophy is of the French Bulldog breed in Smash 4.
• Trophies:
  • The French Bulldog appears as a trophy.
  • The Calico Cat appears as a trophy.
• Spirits:
  • The French Bulldog appears as a spirit.
  • The Labrador Retriever and Toy Poodle use artwork from this game.

Trivia

• Nintendogs is the only universe to have a stage and an Assist Trophy, but lack a playable fighter.
  • It is also the second universe to have had this distinction at some point, as Animal Crossing in Brawl had a stage and an Assist Trophy, but no playable fighter.

Gallery

• 

  Box art for Nintendogs Lab & Friends

• 

  The Nintendogs stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.