The Nintendog appears in the Nintendogs series of games. The franchise was originally conceived by Shigeru Miyamoto and has since gone on to become one of the most successful games on the Nintendo DS handheld system. In this simulation title, the player would take the role of a dog owner and used the various capabilities of the DS to look after their chosen puppies. They could walk them to several different locations, buy them lots of essentials and train them for competitions. The game was released in four different versions: Labrador & Friends (known in Japan as Shiba & Friends), Chihuahua & Friends, Dachshund & Friends and Dalmatian & Friends.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]
The Nintendog appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It was first seen in the trailer at E3 2006 and was believed to be an item of its own. However, much later it was confirmed to be an Assist Trophy. This Assist Trophy covers the whole screen, including players' names, much like how Nintendogs cover the DS touch screen in the original Nintendogs game when they are trying to play with their owner. Also, any CPU characters that are covered when the Nintendog comes completely stop their actions and do not do anything until the dog incursion subsides. This assist trophy is often considered the least powerful out of the many different Assist trophies because it does not do much except obscure the player's view. The puppy will always bark twice at the bottom left corner of the screen before leaving.
The Nintendog featured in SSBB is a Labrador Retriever breed. Game director Masahiro Sakurai stated in the update on the Smash Bros DOJO!! that he chose this type of puppy because it is the most popular kind in the world.
Trophy description[]
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, 2005
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U[]
The Nintendog was first seen in the official Smash Bros. website, at the daily picture posted by Masahiro Sakurai on 12/13/2013. The picture shows a different Nintendog instead of the iconic Labrador Retriever, rather showing a French Bulldog. It has since been confirmed that this is the only type of dog appearing in the game.
Trophy Descriptions[]
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!
- DS - Nintendogs (08/2005)
- 3DS - Nintendogs + Cats (03/2011)
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.
- Nintendogs
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.
- Nintendogs
Shiba Inu[]
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.
- Nintendogs
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.
- Nintendogs
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.
- Nintendogs
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
The Nintendog is a returning assist trophy, it's effects are the same as in the last game. It has been changed to a Poodle, rather than staying as a French Bulldog.
Trivia[]
- Occasionally, pausing the game while the Nintendog is on the screen will instantly cause it to leave.
- Nintendog is the first assist trophy to change characters between two games but keep the same name.
- Nintendog is the first assist trophy that will obstruct a player's view, rather than help.