Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Negative: 2 out of 14
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  1. Jun 29, 2019
    40
    While the puppies might be adorable and the kittens mischievous, the games lack of features and broken motion controls make it more frustrating than enjoyable. Once you’ve done everything once, you’ve done everything, and even the cute little critters running around make it difficult to recommend.
  2. May 27, 2019
    30
    Unlike Nintendogs, Little Friends isn’t a meditative game in which you joyfully play with and e-cuddle a bunch of adorbs animals. Instead, it’s a laborious slog in which strengthening your bond with your virtual pets takes too long, and the end results aren’t worth the time invested.
User Score
3.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Negative: 3 out of 5
  1. Jan 2, 2022
    4
    I hesitated buying this game for a while and sadly regret it. Its such a huge waste of potential, like a soulless recreation of NintendogsI hesitated buying this game for a while and sadly regret it. Its such a huge waste of potential, like a soulless recreation of Nintendogs

    It's insane to me that there are only 6 breeds of dog, and even less of cats, in a game that revolves entirely around the dogs/cats you have. The actual dog graphics are pretty decent but the accessories and items glitch through the models repeatedly and make it very off-putting. Another huge missed opportunity was to allow voice commands through the switch online app, it would have made it so more interactive. The dog just randomly teaches itself tricks which you can hardly utilise, the only grooming is a single brush to clean whatever fungal disease you dog has contracted away (no bathing? why??). There's also no mention of an XP/friendship cap so you're left wondering why you can't gain any more friendship levels - yet the game constantly bombards you with instructions on how to do every activity every time you do it.

    The walks are tedious and boring, the visuals on these walks are also extremely boring and pretty ugly too, especially the obnoxious balloons. I don't know why they had to lock the ability to obtain a cat so deep into the game, I'm sure most kids playing would have lost interest by the point you're a high enough level to obtain one.

    Overall its just a very empty and boring game and total waste of potential. If this game had any heart or substance it could have easily been huge, many players both young adults and children alike would love a reincarnation of the Nintendogs franchise - this isn't it.
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  2. Apr 24, 2021
    5
    Thought this would be the Nintendogs replacement. Clearly not, because those games are actually fun.
  3. Sep 22, 2020
    10
    I personally enjoy the grind to level up your cat or dog. It gives you something to work for instead of it being handed to you.