Virtual dog walking: Nintendogs has nothing on this

Sure, Nintendo might've very well put some of the cutest virtual puppies into one of the best selling entertainment devices of all time, but Japanese arcades, as always, take things to the next level. TOKYOMANGO recently spotted this dog walking game, which has been around for a few years, and puts a virtual pet's life in your hands. To walk the dog, you have to maintain a good speed -- not too fast, not too slow -- while keeping the idiot mutt from getting hit by oncoming traffic or the neighborhood bully dog. The result for failure? The dog dies, and you get to blow some more yen on this oh-so-stimulating form of entertainment.

[Andrew H. @ May 3rd 2007 3:06AM]

is it just me or does that dog look like hes humping the doghouse?

[Manuel @ May 3rd 2007 10:39AM]

You need to get laid soon

[Revrant2394 @ May 3rd 2007 11:37PM]

Andrew: Ha!

Death, why would I want to watch a cute little virtual dog die? You know, I recall this ambulance game at a local arcade, and you had to rush this family to the hospital, and I got to the little kid, and failed to get him there in time, and he died. Bet it's a similar sensation.

[Dave @ May 3rd 2007 3:50AM]

A few years? I think that came out in 2000..

[Kevin @ May 3rd 2007 3:59AM]

I've played that game and its actually quite fun. Your cute little pixelated puppy (four varieties, if I remember correctly) chases cats and pees on the side of road! You also restrain him by tugging his leash when he's about to be hit by a car. Admittedly it is a weird concept for a game, but don't knock it till you try it.

[eh @ May 3rd 2007 5:11AM]

The cat version probably involved a chair which tested how long you could sit while you wait for it to wake up.

[Alastair Tse @ May 3rd 2007 5:22AM]

Yeah, that game has been around since at least 2001. I first played it when I visited Tokyo then and it was really confusing. Watching Japanese girls play it was more interesting since they knew all the tricks. It was about basically not pulling too hard to piss off your dog, but not letting it bite and sniff every person that walks pass.

[Anonymous @ May 3rd 2007 5:34AM]

This is the kind of game where you either get it or you don't. In Japan (unlike the US) most people live in places where you can't have a dog or a cat. So what is the obvious solution? Make games where you can have a virtual pet (Thus the Tomogatchi, Nintendogs etc).

Would I play this? No. But I've got 2 dogs. So there you go

[lettcco @ May 3rd 2007 6:28AM]

this game is steamin' hot-- steamin hot pile of virtual poop, that is.

[Rick Lyon @ May 3rd 2007 10:46AM]

What virtual taking out the trash? If you don't do it fast enough, your dad smacks you in the head.

[Christopher @ May 6th 2007 3:27PM]

I didn't see any guns- when do you get to shoot stuff?

[Noah @ May 3rd 2007 3:27PM]

We all have SEGA to thank for this wonderful game. SEGA lives on and strong!!