Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends

Lacklustre cats and familiar pooches, but still an engaging and adorable pet sim. [Apr 2011, p.102]

It may not be leaps and bounds away from the original Nintendogs, but a few improvements and additions, regardless of gimmick factor, means that Nintendogs + cats does prove that the virtual pet genre is still alive and kicking.

Virtual pet sims aren't for everyone, but Nintendogs is by far the best in show. [May 2011, p.64]

The bottom line is, if you enjoyed Nintendogs on your DS, there's still plenty to love about its 3D debut. And even if you're new to Nintendo's pet sim series, you could do much worse for a 3DS launch title. There isn't an awful lot of new content, but what's here works as well as it ever has. And if you're like me, you'll have a much better shot at getting your apartment's deposit back if you opt for one of these polygonal pups.

Nintendogs + Cats is most successful lovingly recreating the personalities of its animal stars, and even though isn't the quantum leap forward some will want, it'll likely be the pet simulator to beat over the 3DS's lifespan.

Nintendogs + Cats isn't massively different from its predecessor, but its subtle enhancements mean it will prove even more irresistible to dog and now cat lovers, and that it towers in an even more colossal manner over other pet sims, no matter what their platform.

If you liked Nintendogs you'll love this. Its adorable but could become forgotten about after some time.

Simply put, it's a better looking, better functioning version of the original (voice recognition is noticeably improved). It's forgiving and accessible, almost to a fault, but rewards investment with those idiosyncratic movements that Nintendo do so well. And it makes nice use of the hardware. [Mar 2011, p.52]

It's a nice tech demo for kids and fans of puppies. The third dimension adds a fine touch to the optics, but it can bring you some headache, too. With more replayability, this could have been a hit.

But as is, nintendogs + cats is still worth a look by everyone but the most black-hearted animal-haters. [April 2011, p.80]

They may not win best in show, but the adorable animals of Nintendogs + Cats are sure to win your heart.

A game with few new features compared to the 2005 version, but with great, realistic graphics, which look spectacular in 3D.

Nintendogs + Cats is not so different from Nintendogs. It has cats and 3D, but they don't change the gameplay; this means it is still the king of casual games, but, this time, it feels a little less "fresh".

Like all pet sims, what you get out of this game depends on what you want from it. If you want to raise all the breeds and compete in all the events, this will be a lengthy game. If you just want to raise one pet, don't expect to play it for more than two weeks.

A "just for fans" product. The 3D effect works, but aside from Street Pass there's not much innovation in this chapter.

It's hard to deny the fundamental appeal of Nintendogs + Cats. These lovable virtual critters are a pleasure to play with. However, the package would've benefitted greatly from more options, especially ones that broadened the ways you interact with your pet.

There is plenty to do in Nintendogs + Cats, but most gamers will get tired of the competitions pretty quickly.

NintendoDogs+Cats is a unique experience, especially for the connection, empathy and interaction that is possible with the dogs and cats.

Nintendogs + Cats reconfirms the formula that transformed this animal tamer in a great success. The 3D effect plays a key role in the interaction between the player and the puppy.

nintendogs + cats embraces elements of the 3DS such as StreetPass and the cameras, introducing the novelty of kittens as it goes, but otherwise acts as a refinement of the first game more than anything else. However, a virtual pet simulator of this nature in 2011 is not as exciting as it was six years ago when the genre was less common on consoles, and disappointingly it does not do much to push the series forward.

A game that sold 24 million copies is being re-released on the 3DS, with extra functions, three dimensional images and horribly cute kittens. It looks like Nintendogs + Cats will turn out to be another success, because the concept remains unchanged. Also, the dogs might have actually become cuter. It's a shame though, that the cats hardly have the amount of options that the dogs do.

It's friendly, somewhat addictive and easy to play. I don't think its worth the console upgrade if you're still feeding Fido on your good old DS though...unless you're REALLY into cats.

The cats don't have the same level of interaction that the dogs have, generally just sitting around the house with general disinterest, regarding you with mild disdain and plotting world domination. Just like real cats then.

Sometimes Nintendogs + Cats can feel like homework, and other times it can be a sweet little distraction where you spend time with adorably well-realized puppies and accurately uninterested cats.

The cat selection is disappointingly limited, and it will be very familiar to players of the earlier entries, but this is shinier, more feature packed, and - of course - three-dimensional than any of the previous Nintendogs games.

New console, new puppies, new success. If you, or your children, have missed the first Nintendogs, this must be one of your 3DS launch titles. For the rest of the world, this updated version of the original game doesn't deserve much attention.

There's something kind of addictive about teaching your fake dog new tricks. For repeat customers, unless your kid is still playing the first game religiously, I don't see the upgraded version holding their interest for nearly as long.

There aren't significant changes over the 2005 game, but it is a 3D show that will do - we love the little cats and dogs. Street Pass, 3D cameras, steps presents... Full Nintendo 3DS with which to play with these lovely animals.

The world's most realistic puppy and kitten owning simulator – with all that implies for potential owners.

Gentle, sweet, calming and very, very slight. It does what it sets out to do with perfect efficiency, targeting the brain's fragile cuteness receptors with merciless precision. It is a game constructed of gentle routine punctuated by organic, unexpected moments, never demanding much from you in return for its simple, innocent pleasures. It's exactly what you expect, then – but that's certainly no bad thing.

Nintendogs + Cats is a near match for the DS original. Were it not for the visual pampering it would be entirely possible to replace the old game with the new without the kids noticing. [Apr 2011, p.91]

The game is best played in small chunks, which, given the attention span of most puppies, is appropriate, but those looking for a deep gameplay experience may be put off.

Nintendogs + Cats definitely retains the inescapable charm of its predecessor, and I expect that will be enough for many of the younger and casual fans loved the first. For me, I expect more than marginal improvements after a six-year layoff.

Barely noticable new content compared to the over five year old DS game. Still cute, but just no shown creativity from the developers.

Puppies that never grow, don't get dirty and are never hungry or thirsty. If only real things were that easy.

Despite getting a name check in the title, the cats are at best some sort of bizarre comedy foil for the canines.

There's not much to do with your virtual pets in Nintendogs + Cats, but at least they're cute and the 3D effects are sometimes quite impressive.

Feels very much the stock update, disappointing in so much as it doesn't actually add anything of note or substance. The cruel under-utilisation of the cats, meanwhile, could genuinely disappoint fans of felines everywhere.