Animal Games for DS

The Nintendo DS offers players plenty of options for raising virtual pets, ranging from domestic animals to imaginary creatures. Players must take care of their animals' basic needs, but it isn't all hard work, as these pets love to get dressed up and go on virtual visits to friends using the DS's Wi-Fi capabilities.

"Nintendogs"

The "Nintendogs" series features several games that focus on different dog breeds, including Dalmatians, Labrador retrievers, chihuahuas and dachshunds. After selecting a pup from the kennel, players feed, groom, train and accessorize their virtual dogs. As they meet certain requirements, players will unlock additional dog breeds. Players can use the game's Bark Mode to trade items with one another. GameSpot gives the "Nintendogs" games a score of 9.1 out of 10.

The "Petz" franchise has games devoted to a wide array of animals, including cats, dogs, monkeys, horses and hamsters. In "Petz Nursery," players begin by raising kittens and puppies, then gain access to wild animals such as polar bears and leopards. Once the baby animals grow up, they can be sent to the "Petz Talent Show" game, where they continue to grow and learn tricks. The "Family" games in the series allow players to raise multiple pets, breeding animals to create new breeds.

Made by Electric Arts, creator of "The Sims" series, "SimAnimals" puts the player in charge of an entire forest of creatures. Maintaining a stable environment is necessary to keep the animals healthy and happy, and players undergo challenges and discover secrets as they explore, unlocking new areas of the forest. "SimAnimals" features North American wildlife, while "SimAnimals Africa" includes elephants, zebras and other species native to Africa.

"Wild World" is set in a virtual town populated by animal creatures. As a new resident, the player buys a house and has to find a way to pay off the mortgage. The player performs chores such as collecting and selling fruit and fish and running errands for the other inhabitants. "Animal Crossing: Wild World" is set in real time, with days passing and seasons changing according to the outside world. With holidays and special events occurring from time to time, "Wild World" provides constantly changing game experiences.

In "Pocket Paradise," players tend to a garden whose flowers and trees attract snack-themed animal pinatas such as mousemallows and buzzlegums. Some pinata species will not get along, so players have to manage their gardens to prevent pinatas from fighting. "Pocket Paradise" has more than 60 different pinata species that players can "romance" to produce offspring.