This is part of my new top ten lists which I will release at the end of every month.
Dogs. Let’s talk about them. Canines, pooches, mutts, hounds, mongrels, man’s best friend, fleabags or bitches. There are a lot of ways you can name dogs. These guys are one of the most chosen animals to have as pets. People who own them would describe them as loyal, smart, cute and dependable. Not me tough, I would describe them as loud, obnoxious, and some times even dangerous. That being said I do love me a good companion when I go on a game adventure. And dogs are the best companions you can have in a game. So I took the time to name my favorite four-legged companions in video games. The rules here are that while they can be playable in small sections of the game, they should mainly be there at the player’s side. I’m also going to limit my list to one dog a franchise to keep things fresh. Keep in mind that is my personal list and a lot of choices might not make a lot of sense but that’s why it’s my list. So let’s get this party started.
#10:Duck Hunt dog
On number ten is a bloodhound who recently turned from one of the most hated companions that hunts ducks to a fairly beloved Smash contestant who now fights with what he once hunted. The dog from Duck Hunt who just is known as Duck Hunt Dog was hated for the longest time because of his annoying pointing and cackling at the player when they missed their shots. It even got so bad that back in the day Flash games got invented with the sole purpose of shooting the mutt. Players to this day still get haunted by his maniacal laugh. However things are changing recently. With his inclusion in Smash as a playable character together with a Duck and many other NES Zapper assists, people have seen him in a new light and seem to actually appreciate him now.
Whatever hatred we had is finally fading and in its place is room for this lovable guy.
#9:That Dog
Hey, It’s that dog!!! Simply known as “That Dog” he first appears as before the player with his leg trapped in a bear-trap. He already unknowingly helps the player by using his own body as a warning for enemy traps. Once you encounter him you can leave him in the trap and be considered as one of the world’s greatest monsters, or you can do the right thing and save him from the trap. Later on in the game when Leon encounters the first El Gigante guess who bails him out? That’s right, it’s That Dog. I don’t think you come across That Dog any time later but the impact he makes right then and there is enough to earn him a spot on the list…. Honestly it’s just an excuse for me to show that dumb Hey, it’s that dog clip again. It’s just so funny.
After a bloody leg he jumps 5 meter down a cliff. A true American hero
#8:Arcanine
So when you look at ACTUAL DOGS in Pokemon there are only three. As much as I love and would have wanted to add Eevee he’s a fox. Now foxes are kind of a dog but when there are actual dogs I got to give them preference. So that leaves the Arcanine evolution line, the Houndoom evolution line and the Stoutland evolution line. So Hounddoom is Pokemon’s version of a hell-hound which is pretty cool but can you actually ride it to work? Yeah I tought so. Arcanine and Stoutland are both really big-ass dogs who you can actually ride, and that’s rad! So who wins this? Well I own a long-haired cat and even if a cat is not a dog, hair is still hair. And let me tell you once Stoutland gets sick and has something like the runs, you will regret the day you took him in. And cleaning a small cat is nightmarish so imagine doing it to a dog that’s twice your size. No thanks man I’ll stick with Arcanine thank you.
Majestic as fuck and big enough to ride. The perfect companion across many journeys to become the best.
#7:dog(fable series)
What this dog has above all other dogs is that this loyal mutt changes along with the player. You’re a good guy? Well so is your dog. You’re a dick? Well you get the point. This little fellow not only fought by your side but was also useful for finding treasure and just like a certain other dog later on in the list, there is just something nice about hanging around with your best friend and exploring the world of Albion. Plus you can learn it neat little tricks.
Well it depends if you actually want to be good.
#6:Chop
One of the newest features in GTA 5 is a rottweiler named Chop. This dog just doesn’t give a damn. He poops where he wants, does who he wants and even catches grenades once you trow it. But that doesn’t matter though as Chop seems to be doggy Jesus because every time he dies he gets resurrected. Another fun thing to do since he’s immortal is throwing a ball in front off a car and seeing him get hit. He’s a good companion and a great ally. And since this is a GTA game you know all the cool stuff you can do with him.
Sicking Chop on dudes is great.
#5:Dogmeat
Okay first off Dogmeat is a really freaking good name. He (or at least dogs with his namesake) appears in every Fallout game aside from the standard stuff like fighting you can send Dogmeat to gather stuff for you. He is also the easiest companion to deal with since his love is unconditional. There is just something about you crossing the wasteland with a trusty companion by your side. Another cool thing about Dogmeat in Fallout 3 is that when you have the right perk, if Dogmeat dies you can get his offspring by visiting his grave a day later. And he’s even stronger than the original Dogmeat. Hmm it’s almost like you should let him die…
The perfect partner for the wasteland.
#4:walt
Now while most dogs on this list are an essential friend to the main character, none deserve the term hero as much as Walt does. This dog has seen some shit. Walt is a small Doberman Pincher with this cute green vest. This dog is charming and helps out several characters during gameplay and despite his charm and cuteness you can see sadness in his face. I don’t think that during any part of the actual game he looks happy. It’s a sad expression for a dog that has gone trough hell. A true hero and companion for sure.
The true definition of a dog’s life right here.
#3:DD
Okay so what needs to be said about DD. He’s a wolf, wears an eyepatch and kills dudes by cutting their throat with a knife. It’s seriously one of the coolest things I have ever seen a dog do (and I have seen little monkeys in cowboy suits ride dogs like horses). Your initial meeting with the lovable mascot of murder is one of the most adorable things ever. Ocelot just kinda shows up with him as this teensy tiny little pup. It’s seriously one of the most adorable things ever. So you got a dog that did both one of the most bad-ass and cutest things I’ve ever seen. It also helps if you swap his model with Ocelot’s.
When you and your pet are rocking the same eye-patch.
#2:Rush
Now it’s time for the most OG companion ever. Robot’s best friend. So technically Rush is a robot which some people might say doesn’t count but forget that, Rush is the shit. Just give Astro Boy Kashern’s Fiender and your done. This dude first helped you out in Mega Man 3 and you can use him as a spring or a cool hoverboard. But it doesn’t end there. He can turn in a cool sub-marine to race underwater or in space and he can even fuse with you as part of your armor. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I like the part where he turns into a big drilling machine. So with this cool-ass motherfucker who can be a better companion? Hm? HMM? HMMM…
while you can ride Arcanine to work you can’t FLY it to work.
#1:Nintendog
SO yeah the best dog companion you can find in videogames is in an actual dog-companion simulator. When Nintendogs came out people of all kinds went nuts. The casual audience loved it. Critics said that after a while fatigue may strike but even they couldn’t drag themselves away from their DS. You could choose from a giant amount of breeds and just about do everything you wanted to do with a dog. It’s really impressive how Nintendo managed to make you care so much for something that doesn’t exist. The game just relies on its cute charms and the engagement you have with the dog. It’s an impressive feat that certainly deserves the number one spot on my list.
Can you blame me? Look at that face.
And that’s it, those are my picks for favorite dogs in games. If you think I picked the wrong pooch don’t be afraid to let me know. There are quite some dogs in games and I felt these were the right picks for me. Be sure to check back next month when I’ll have a new list to share my thoughts on something else gaming related. See you next time.
