Nintendogs, the beloved pet simulator from the early thousands, may end up getting a mobile launch according to a newly revealed patent. Filed earlier this week, the patent includes a variety of plans and images, all of which reveal how the mechanics would work.
The last fans heard of the series was the Nintendo 3DS version from over a decade ago, which added cats. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, you can get an idea of the gameplay by checking out this old trailer from Nintendo’s YouTube channel:
Nintendogs was a pretty charming sim for its day, featuring a variety of mechanics that still hold up. Animal interaction is one of the most satisfying features in any game, let alone simulators, and even the smallest indies like Animal Shelter (which recently announced a Horse DLC) thrive on it.
Naturally, simulation games have evolved a lot since Nintendogs, but the structure is definitely there for the game to find mobile success. In fact, it was probably better suited for mobile gameplay than a console to begin with. The interactions are rewarding and the animals are adorable, so many fans quickly wondered why similar titles aren’t already saturating the mobile market.
They also noted similarities to Tamagotchi, which was also short-lived but made a big impression. Pokémon Go is probably a better example, where players can use augmented reality to take pictures of their Pokémon, feed them berries, and generally feel like they’re following you around.
Hopefully, Nintendogs elaborates on the elements that made it memorable, while keeping a streamlined gameplay loop for mobile users. It can teach younger audiences the responsibilities of caring for pets, but it’s also just plain relaxing and fun for all animal lovers.
You can read more about Nintendogs and other upcoming Nintendo rumors or updates by checking out the rest of our news section!
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