one dataset · paper, tables, graph, wiki
simgrammar the grammar of simulation

core loop

care for the dog by touch -> teach tricks by voice -> walk the dog and find items -> enter disc, agility, and obedience trials -> earn prize money and trainer points -> buy supplies and unlock new breeds

design notes

Nintendogs was built to show off DS hardware: the touchscreen handles petting, grooming, and washing, and the microphone handles the dog's name and trick commands. Care runs on the DS clock, so hunger, thirst, and coat condition worsen with elapsed time, but dogs cannot die, breed, or age, which makes neglect a recoverable setback rather than a fail state. Trials have five classes from Beginner to Championship, and placing third or better promotes a dog. Bark Mode lets nearby players' dogs meet and exchange presents.

relations

7 stored edges
uses

Creature care

Touch petting, brushing, and washing plus food and water bowls maintain hunger, thirst, and coat condition; walks, balls, discs, and toys add play.

core
uses

Creature learning

When the dog strikes a pose such as sit, the player records a spoken command; repeating the pairing teaches the trick, and the dog later responds to the voice cue.

core
uses

Asynchronous shared regions

Bark Mode lets nearby DS owners meet each other's dogs and exchange presents.

supporting
uses

Milestone unlocks

Trial prize money and trainer points unlock new breeds and supplies.

supporting
uses

Natural-language interaction

The microphone recognizes the dog's name and trick words by matching the player's voice against recorded samples.

supporting
uses

Needs decay

Hunger, thirst, and dirtiness worsen with real elapsed time.

supporting
uses

Real-time clock

Care state advances with the DS internal clock and calendar.

supporting

backlinks

computed from other records

sources

1
Wikipedia contributors (2026). Nintendogs. Wikipedia

provenance

runs in log/runs
2026-10-24
created2026-10-24-catalog-gccatalog