The last 2 decades have seen the rise and fall, and the rise again of virtual pets. As the generation today is introduced to the glossy new 3D versions of these digital pets, I would think that it is time for the past to revisit us and allow for a rekindling of nostalgia with previously well-loved devices and games from back in the day.
#4. Nintendogs
Made specifically for the Nintendo DS, any news about Nintendogs has been pretty dormant, or actually non-existent, for more than a decade. The last anyone has heard of this was when they launched Nintendogs+Cats back in 2011. Nintendogs is THE cutest thing for dog lovers, or simply for those who want to own pets but can’t. Since the Nintendo DS is almost obsolete, perhaps a Nintendo Switch version would be a nice platform for us to have a pet Nintendog again?
#3. Pet Zombies
This is a hilarious game that allows you to rear pet zombies. Feed, play, care and even torment them with different weapons in typical zombie locations like cemeteries, abandoned malls or run-down military bases. After it came out on the Nintendo 3DS, we haven’t seen it appear on any other platform since. A fun reboot of this could be a nice idea for those who love Pet Zombies, or just zombies in general.
#2. Creatures
The Creature series graced us on PC with several games throughout the late 90s, and was later brought to Game Boy Advance and PlayStation. It was a game way ahead of its time, and very unlike the virtual pet games that existed then. It was designed to cultivate an emotional bond between the players and their creatures through detailed biological and neurological simulation. After 3 console games were launched, a fourth one was in the works for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube. Unfortunately, this had to be cancelled due to lack of funds, leaving us with hope that this may be picked up again in the future.
#1. Viva Piñata
The last but definitely not the least, and a personal favourite. Depending on how well you take care of your garden, you may attract up to over 60 different species of Piñatas who roam Piñata Island. Only 3 versions of this colourful game were made. Beginning with a series of 2 on Xbox, and then followed by a handheld version, Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise, on Nintendo DS. With today’s updated graphics and newer consoles, I feel like a remake is due for desperate Viva Piñata fans all over.
