Top Dog-Themed Video Games

Top Dog-Themed Video Games
Top Dog-Themed Video Games
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Dogs are our loyal sidekicks. It’s no wonder that humans, driven by our fascination, have created a vast amount of entertainment based on our furry four-legged buddies. This human eagerness to look into a dog’s mind is ever present in video games, where our imaginations can be unleashed into a boundless world of possibilities.

There are countless dog-themed video games where players can play as Rover, crossing all gaming genres: arcade platform games, open-world simulation games, and more. This article will cover the best dog-themed video games for pet owners who love dogs and are looking for a gaming experience covering a wide range of styles.

PaRappa The Rapper

If you’re looking for a dog-themed retro gaming experience, look no further than PaRappa The Rapper. This rap-based rhythm game was released worldwide in 1997 and developed for PlayStation 2. It’s an iconic title, with many video game magazines considering it one of the best video games ever made. It’s the first rhythm action game that influenced a whole genre of video games.

Plot

The main character is PaRappa, a 2D paper thin dog with a crush on a flower creature named Sunny Funny. To win her affection he must rap like a pro by mastering the art from his teacher. In various scenarios PaRappa must rap to move forward and win funny challenges. An example of this is when PaRappa must rap against his teacher in order to get ahead of him in the bathroom line at a gas station. The story is light-hearted, comical and full of groove.

Gameplay

The point of the game is to match a rhythm line. As the teacher raps, a bar on top of the screen appears with symbols. The player must press the buttons with the correct timing to match the teacher’s line. It’s a fun and didactic way to polish your rhythm chops and enjoy a quirky musical adventure.

Okami

Okami is hailed as one of the most beautiful wolf-inspired dog-themed video games of all time. It was released for PlayStation 2 in 2006. This action-adventure game combines Japanese mythology with a platform and puzzle game similar to The Legend of Zelda

It’s set in a beautiful watercolor-designed world inspired by ink illustrations (sume-e). The music is epic and cinematic, immersing players in a land ruled by Shinto gods and goddesses facing relentless bosses taken from Japanese folklore.

Plot

The main character is Amaterasu, a wolf incarnation of a Shinto goddess on a mission to save the land from darkness. Amaterasu is guided by Issun, a wandering artist who accompanies Amaterasu through quests and missions, providing dialogue and narration to the flow of the game.

Gameplay

Players control Amaterasu with gestures by using a Wii-remote, analog stick, Joy Com, or touchscreen. These controls allow for precise and intuitive movement, enhancing the player’s immersion in the game. Combat commands of weapons are based on brush methods used as fighting techniques. There are many opportunities to explore and interact with the dreamy world through side quests like feeding wild animals and making trees bloom.

Farewell North

Farewell North is a beautiful open world narrative game that follows the healing journey of a grieving woman and her faithful collie. It’s an emotional game that is thought provoking and unforgettable. Its main focus is narrative, with stunning graphics and a relaxing Scottish inspired soundtrack. It explores being a dog by solving intriguing puzzles and interacting in a world of bewitching visuals.

Plot

The story is told from the point of view of Chelsey, a herding collie who is inherited by its former owner’s grieving daughter Caley. Chelsey struggles to adapt to city life while Caley struggles with grief. They care for each other as Chelsey completes puzzles and quests that move the player through spectacular visuals of Scottish highlands.

Gameplay

Chelsey’s main ability is herding and collecting magical flowers that give it the ability to unblock locked paths and melt ice and snow. Players can also explore the world as Chelsey by running around, climbing ledges, jumping big gaps, and riding a canoe. An interesting feature is that colors are muted at the start of the game and gain brightness with the help of Chelsey. This is a beautiful metaphor for how pets provide us with emotional support in difficult times.

A Dog’s Life

A Dog’s Life is an action adventure game that is perfect for younger players. It’s a fun simulation style game where players play as Jake, a flatulent American foxhound on a rescue mission. The storyline is light-hearted and adventurous, set in farmland and rural areas, as well as a tumultuous city.

Plot

The game begins in Clarksville, as Jake witnesses how a pair of dog-catchers kidnap Daisy, a lab retriever he has a crush on. He follows them from Clarksville to a mountain resort called Lake Minniwahwah. Jake is able to track Daisy by using information he overhears in human conversations.

Gameplay

Players play as Jake through numerous challenges and puzzles. The main and most interesting feature is that Jake can pick up smells by means of a “smell vision” mode that is activated as challenges begin (a really interesting take on how dogs perceive the world).

Jake goes on missions, obedience trials, and territorial games where he must pee in marked areas to gain territory. He can also perform tricks in exchange for food and do all sorts of movements like running, begging, and lying down. It’s whole hearted fun at its doggiest!

Super Mega Neo Pug

For anyone who loves arcade-style platform games, Super Mega Neo Pug is a top liner. It’s part of a bundle of pug-themed games, including the titles Turbo Pug and Space Pug. It was created for Windows and can be played with a Steam Deck device. The gaming experience is fun and hilarious, with a cool pixel-art design and retro electronic music.

Plot

The plot follows Demetrius the Third, the cutest space pug there is, on a mission to defend outer space from evil fish-tossing flying cats and asteroids. It’s a feast for the imagination with space asteroids, occasional water flies, flying pigs, and just about any random object that could be wandering in outer space.

Gameplay

This is a fast-paced game where the player must fly through different environments, such as outer space, Egypt, plain fields, and a roaring city while dodging asteroids and other floating elements. The player collects pug coins that are accumulated to earn pug points and unlock bonus features like additional pug outfits. Something fun about this game is that the player can choose the music track from a jukebox-like menu at the start of the game.

Exploring the World Through The Eyes of Our Dogs

Dog owners are ever curious about what being a dog is like. Video Games provide pet parents a platform for our imagination to run free and our minds to unwind. We may work like dogs, and through these video games, we can play like dogs. With compelling narratives, fun puzzles and a bit of light-hearted humor, taking a peek into the experience of being a dog has never been easier.

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