Digital Pets emerged as a significant trend in the gaming world, particularly alongside the boom of virtual pet websites. Games like Nintendogs for the Nintendo DS achieved phenomenal success, becoming the second best-selling game on the platform with nearly 24 million copies sold. These single-player experiences offered immersive pet care simulations, allowing players to interact with digital animals in a way that felt remarkably real for the time. While some multiplayer features existed, such as Nintendogs‘ Bark Mode for dog interactions, the core appeal was the independent, personal connection formed with these digital pets.
Unlike online virtual pet worlds like Neopets and Webkinz, which embraced fantasy and fictionality, games such as Petz and Nintendogs leaned into surprising realism. Players were tasked with the fundamental responsibilities of pet ownership: feeding, watering, and bathing their digital pets. Nintendogs even incorporated elements like dog walking and waste disposal, adding a layer of believable pet care. This realism was largely enabled by the technological capabilities of the Nintendo DS. The console’s touchscreen allowed for intuitive petting and interaction, while the built-in microphone facilitated voice commands and trick training, further blurring the lines between game and genuine pet ownership.
While the technology that powered these digital pet games remains prevalent in modern handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch, dedicated games centered solely on this type of ePet interaction have become less common. Games like Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee offer limited petting and feeding features for starter Pokémon, but these are secondary to the main gameplay. While Little Friends: Dogs & Cats attempted to revive the Nintendogs formula on the Switch in 2019, it received lukewarm reviews, failing to capture the magic of its predecessor. It appears that these ePet video games were largely a gaming phenomenon of the 2000s, mirroring the trajectory of virtual pet websites that flourished during the same era. These games were, in many ways, a product of their time, showcasing the rapid advancements in technology embodied by consoles like the DS.
The Nostalgia Factor and the Enduring Appeal of Digital Pets
The digital pet genre, spanning from the late 1990s through the 2010s, reflects the significant technological shifts of those decades. The defining characteristic of these games is their focus on nurturing and raising pets, coupled with an open-ended gameplay structure. There’s no definitive “end” or way to “win”; the enjoyment comes from the ongoing companionship and care of the digital pets. Players set their own goals within the game, but the core loop is about spending time and building a bond with their virtual companion. The potential playtime is virtually limitless.
Today’s gaming landscape is dominated by battle royale and social-based games like Fortnite, Among Us, Roblox, and Minecraft, where multiplayer interaction and competition take center stage, often without the inclusion of digital pets. This isn’t to suggest that one genre is inherently superior to the other; rather, digital pet games fulfilled a specific niche and desire for interactivity and connection for children of the early 2000s. Too young for the burgeoning social media platforms of the time, children turned to virtual pet websites and console digital pet games to experience the interactive and engaging aspects of the then-emerging Web 2.0.
For many young adults today, games like Neopets, Webkinz, Petz, and Nintendogs evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, offering a portal back to their childhoods. As explored in Stephen Sexton’s collection If All the World and Love Were Young, video games can be powerful tools for revisiting memories and childhood longings. The static nature of a video game – even with updates – allows players to step back in time and reconnect with their past experiences. The digital pet phenomenon serves as a testament to the profound impact of rapid technological change on both the gaming industry and the individuals who grew up cherishing these virtual companions.
