IGN writes: "If the success of Nintendogs has proved anything, it's that Nintendo DS owners love taking care of their virtual canine companions. Whether or not this love translates into a passion for actual dog ownership fails to be seen, but what is clear is that Miyamoto's blockbuster pet simulator isn't a perfect analogue for the real deal. Enter Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer, a Nintendo DS title with a specific focus on caring for the physical and psychological well being of actual canine pets. More of an interactive training guide than a traditional game, Dog Whisperer provides players with an enjoyable, albeit repetitive, way to learn how to raise man's best friend outside of the handheld screen.
One thing you should know right off the bat is that Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer is not – I repeat, is not – just a celebrity endorsed Nintendogs rip-off. Sure, both titles revolve around dogs and share a few similarities in the control interface (there are only so many ways to simulate petting a pooch via a touch screen, after all), but Dog Whisperer manages to forge its own unique path. In Dog Whisperer, players don't take on the role of a dog owner but a dog psychiatrist studying under the eponymous Cesar Millan. The practical differences inherent in this role are subtle but ultimately create an "edutainment" experience not unlike that seen in titles like Ubisoft's "My Coach" series."
The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan talks about gaming in this exclusive interview, which also looks at how badly Ubisoft's Nintendo DS game sold at retail in the U.S. It's a stark contrast to Shigeru Miyamoto's dog masterpiece, Nintendogs.
IGN writes:
"I realize that there are several pet owners out there that would like a fun, educational tool to help them properly condition their dogs. Unfortunately, Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer is not that tool. At the end of the day, this game feels more like a chore than anything else. For those wanting to better their dogs, I'd recommend you get yourself a good book at the library."
Despite the low score, Diehard GameFAN can't really say they disliked Dog Whisperer. In fact they would even recommend it as a rental to someone who's having trouble with their dog as they think it could be genuinely useful in its training. It's just not much of a game, and certainly nowhere near full-featured or deep enough to be worth 30 bucks.
