Nintendogs/Version Differences

This is a sub-page of Nintendogs.

This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

To do: There's a lot of differences Should we list version-exclusive icons, styles, items and unlock conditions? We don't do those for Pokémon either... Analyze the iQue version changes, for example all removals of Nintendo mentions (Red/Blue/Yellow Disc). Anything note-worthy in the Korean versions? These feature the western additions.

Regional Differences

When the game was localized, several changes had to be made so it could be consistent with the western market. These versions have several new additions and enhancements that weren't previously in the Japanese version. A total of five different editions were released.

General Changes

• Bark Mode will only work with non-Japanese and non-Chinese versions of the game due to the new additions.
• At the beginning of each game, there are now six breeds available instead of five.
• Item prices were adjusted to fit with western currencies. Therefore, the player starts with 1,000 money instead of 500,000.
• A total of four new breeds were added. Unfinished data for the golden retriever already exists in the original versions, though.
  • Golden Retriever
  • Dalmatian
  • Boxer
  • Siberian Husky
• Several new accessories were added:
  • Rhinestone Collar
  • Pearl Necklace
  • Pair of Star Sunglasses
  • Sombrero
  • Viking Hat
  • Santa's Hat
  • New Year Tiara
  • Fireman's Hat
  • Rainbow Wig
• The Seaside style was added as a new unlockable home.
• Various unused graphics and texts have been removed.

Graphical Changes

To do: Stuff like the Weird Alien's covered-up eyes. Get an image of the currency between versions (American, Japanese, European, Australian and Korean)

The icon for the Shiba & Friends version was changed when it was localized into Lab & Friends.

Labrador & Friends	Shiba Inu & Friends

Version Differences

Exclusive Breeds

Like the Pokémon games, each version begins with a different set of breeds, although all can be unlocked during gameplay.

Shiba & Friends (Japan)	Dachshund & Friends (Japan)	Chihuahua & Friends (Japan)	Lab & Friends	Dachshund & Friends	Chihuahua & Friends	Best Friends	Dalmatian & Friends
Shiba Inu	Miniature Dachshund	Chihuahua	Labrador Retriever	Miniature Dachshund	Chihuahua	Miniature Dachshund	Yorkshire Terrier
Shetland Sheepdog	German Shepherd Dog	Beagle	Miniature Pinscher	Pug	Yorkshire Terrier	Labrador Retriever	Beagle
Toy Poodle	Yorkshire Terrier	Shih Tzu	Toy Poodle	Shih Tzu	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Yorkshire Terrier	Golden Retriever
Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Pug	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Pembroke Welsh Corgi	Beagle	Shetland Sheepdog	Beagle	Boxer
Miniature Pinscher	Miniature Schnauzer	Labrador Retriever	Shiba Inu	Golden Retriever	Boxer	Golden Retriever	German Shepherd Dog
			Siberian Husky	Siberian Husky	German Shepherd Dog	German Shepherd Dog	Dalmatian

Title Screen

It's no surprise that the different versions have different title screen graphics.

	Japan	International
Shiba & Friends (Japan) Lab & Friends (International)
Dachshund & Friends
Chihuahua & Friends
Best Friends	n/a
Dalmatian & Friends	n/a

Dalmatian & Friends

Yet another version was released in 2006, but there are a couple of noteworthy changes... unlike Best Friends. This version is based on Chihuahua & Friends since it features the same version-exclusive items, however, the major change is that dalmatians are unlocked from the beginning. This breed is usually difficult to unlock since it requires the player to obtain the rare item Fireman's Hat. This item is now found in the player's supplies from the get-go.

Due to this change, the Fireman's Hat does not unlock a breed anymore. Instead, shibas are now unlocked when obtaining the Japanese Print Collar. These changes are also reflected in the items' primary descriptions. Interestingly, the developers added new text entries for the items rather than replacing the existing ones, leaving the old text unused.

Item	Other Versions	Dalmatian & Friends
Japanese Print Collar	This collar is popular among Japanese dog breeds.	The kennel in your town now has shibas available for purchase!
Fireman's Hat	The kennel in your town now has dalmatians available for purchase!	Wearing this hat makes your pup feel like a friendly neighbourhood fireman.