We play games mostly for entertainment, and it gets even better if you can find games with a theme you enjoy. With all the different directions game themes take, titles dedicated to our furry friends were bound to come out. Games with a dog theme have been around since the advent of video games. Over the years, games with a dog theme have become ubiquitous and can be found on all fronts. In this review, we look at different dog-themed games as we track the classic releases and highlight some recent favorites.

Duck Hunt

Probably one of the oldest dog-themed games players remember, Duck Hunt is a harmless shooter game with light shooting challenges released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) console. The game was released in 1984 and was one of the games you could play with the NES Zapper, which you would point at a CRT television to aim. Even though Duck Hunt is not the kind of game you would fire up your NES console for today, it did bring light gun video games to the forefront as the first game to use one. In the game, players have three attempts to shoot at ducks that fly across the screen. It was based on the Laser Clay Shooting System that preceded it.

Dog House Megaways

From one of the oldest dog-themed games, we skip right into today’s most popular type among fans of dog-themed games. Dog House Megaways is a slot designed with all the thrills that come with spinning the reels. As one of the game products introducing the unique reel layouts from Pragmatic Play, The Dog House slot was a true hit among fans. The slot has 6 reels with 2-7 rows from right to left, with the Megaways engine forging the wins. High volatility and an RTP of 96.55% are two more reasons the game is so popular among online casino lovers since this means that it comes with big wins, albeit sporadic. Excellent graphics and a catchy soundtrack complement the game so well that you never feel bogged down, even after playing for hours on end. You can find out more details about the game and experience the Megaways engine by accessing a demo version on Casinos-En-Ligne.fr. As one of the slots catering to dog lovers on the casino front, the game sure does a great job at keeping the storyline grounded to the cute mutts on the reels.

Dog’s Life

Gamers always enjoy a game that has a different take when it comes to its premise, and Dog’s Life captured gamers’ hearts for this very reason. Dog’s Life is about an adorable mutt named Jake who sets out on a mission to rescue his pal. Daisy is the dog-napped pal Jake seeks to save. The mission to rescue his pal turns out to be an epic adventure that takes him across different states across the US. Jake passes through the Midwest countryside, moving through busy cities and scenic resorts. In his treacherous mission, he encounters all kinds of challenges from the environment around him and dangerous foes he has to face.

Aside from the storyline, Dog’s Life is among the games that let you do everything like your typical hound would. Your typical pet would have a diet, but like Jake, you will have to fend for yourself. Go on side missions and get treats that make Jake stronger and able to overcome tougher missions. Try out canine talents you might not have considered in your dog. With its easy-going playing style, the game is sure to get a few laughs out of you as you complete different tasks.

Dog Simulator 3D

Dog Simulator 3D lets you live a dog’s life in every way. See the world from the eyes of man’s best friends and go on adventures your pet dog would enjoy. Face the dangers of the wild as you hunt for food to level up. Raise your pack right from when they are pups until you have a hunting pack of your own. In this open-world game, you can perform many tasks to keep the game going, and these are fun, too. CyberGoldfinch released the web-based game, which is playable on mobile phones and PCs. Dog simulator 3D is as real as a game about dogs gets. All the cool stuff you get to do in the game keeps things interesting as players take on tasks that raise their level in the game once completed. If you enjoy simulation games, then this is one that will give you the canine perspective quite satisfactorily.

Fable III

Fable III is a role-playing game from Lionhead Studios published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360. Being the third installment in this riveting story, the player character is on a mission to overthrow the King of Albion, and the events of this game take place 50 years after the second game. While the dog is not the main character in this video game, we have to acknowledge the big part that this loyal companion plays through the missions. We particularly featured the game on this list since Lionhead Studios added more of a role for the aggressive canine on the Royal Hero’s side. This is the kind of RPG with a deep and helpful friendship between man and hound, which dog people will find relatable.

Scooby Doo: First Frights

A list like this is not complete without an entry from Mystery Inc. Scooby-Doo and the gang visit a food festival in this game. The gameplay is based on the trip to the festival in which the gang makes numerous stops on their way there, running into all kinds of mysteries. Like the cartoon’s premise, your work is deciphering the mysteries you come across before you can continue to the festival. Fred, Velma, Shaggy, and Daphne each have parts of the game dedicated to them where you have to use each character’s best ability to solve puzzles.

Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang have appeared in many iterations of the franchise, so much so that fans of the cartoon often trade stories about their favorite releases online. Some of the most popular game releases from the franchise include:

• Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo (1991)
• Scooby Doo: Mystery of the Fun Park Phantom (1999)
• Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase (2001)
• Scooby Doo: Unmasked (2005)
• Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Swamp (2010)

Scooby Doo games and cartoons have always been a favorite for kids growing up, even though the releases might have slowed down over the past half-decade.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4 features a grim, dystopian story set after a nuclear event that wipes out the whole world. With over 14.8 million players having tried out the game, it ranks as the most popular of all games on this list. As the only survivor in this new world with torn-down cities, a canine companion sure sounds like a worthy addition to the lonely life you lead. You will be going through missions with your faithful companion by your side, helping you get through obstacles and generally being a good sport. The game is based on a character who sets out to find his/her spouse and lost child through the nuclear wasteland. While we may have featured games with simpler gameplay, Fallout 4 is not for the casual gamer. It takes hundreds of hours to beat the game, and the lore behind it is among the best you will find in a game of its kind.

Conclusion

While the dog-themed games may have been developed with a certain type of fan in mind, they happen to attract even players who are not particularly looking for such video games. Whether you are in the mood for a simple pet simulator to unwind with or an action-packed thriller to keep you glued to your screen, there is a dog-themed game for you or at least one where the dog plays a huge role. Video games are ever-evolving, and mutts are getting more attention on the console, mobile, and casino fronts. The fact that new gaming technologies are being launched daily means that a new release is bound to come soon. Enthusiasts of this genre of games should keep their eyes peeled for the latest title based on our canine friends.