The game Dogz has been around for several years, and is on its fifth edition so far for the PC. Basically, it's a simulation program that lets users interact with dogs (or cats, for the companion program, Catz). Players teach and play with their pets, and are rewarded with increased activity and response from their pets. There is also a Babyz program, but it has yet to be reissued.

My youngest daughter loves the Catz/Dogz/Babyz programs, and has spent quite a bit of time playing with them over the years. I was intrigued by the idea of Dogz being released for the GBA, and wondered if it would be as much fun. Of course, inevitably it will be compared to Nintendogs for the DS in many reviews, but I believe that is unfair, given that it is designed for the GBA, whatever the reason for the release so close to the release of Nintendogs. MTO developed the game, and I’m a little unclear on whether this is a port of an existing game they developed previously in Japan and just changed the name to Dogz, or whether it’s a new game developed expressly for the Dogz lineup from Ubisoft.

Anyway, we popped it into our handheld and waited to see what would transpire. The good news is that it looked really pretty, but the bad news is that the gameplay itself is pretty ho-hum, and even the cute little puppies can't rescue it.

The game begins with a series of choices for the player on whether he or she wants to play as female or male, and what his or her name will be. Then, players decide what type of puppy they would like, either energetic or not, or big or small. After deciding, it's off to the pet-shop, where the player chooses which puppy they would like to take home. Once home, the player names the puppy and begins to take care of it.

The game’s simulation cycle is set in a daily schedule, which lasts for three weeks. Kids will have to train their dog to stay, sit, roll over, and other simple commands. The puppy can be taught his name, as well. Kids will be able to feed and groom their puppy. There are also a few things to do around the house, like play a couple of mini-games, change the music, turn the TV on and off, and tidy up by picking up items and vacuuming. While this may seem like a good amount of activity, it’s not. After the first few game days, there’s just not enough to do. Once the goal of training the dog in three weeks is reached, there are more options and the daily timer is turned off, but again, it just still doesn’t seem like there’s enough variety in the game.

It probably seemed like a good idea to put the Dogz franchise on the GBA, but the reality didn’t work out that well. Doing the same things every game day isn’t all that fun, given that players spend much of their time just hitting the “A” button to teach tricks, and then either praising or scolding the dog. The dog can be fed, but the day is short since the owner has to go to school and to bed every day, so there’s not much playing or feeding. Even when the game’s timer is ended, the things to do aren’t all that varied.

While this isn’t a bad game and is designed fairly well, the gameplay itself isn’t all that much fun. Parents are better off getting the PC versions of Catz and Dogz for the kids.

Gameplay: 6.0
The gameplay is only fun for a few in-game days, then it begins to pall. There just isn’t enough to do, and the sameness becomes wearing.

Graphics: 8.0
The graphics are the best thing going for this game, everything is really cute and bright.

Sound: 7.0
The music is good enough, and isn’t annoying as many GBA tunes can be. However, there aren’t many to choose from.

Difficulty: Easy
This game is easy.

Concept: 6.0
There isn’t much new here.

Overall: 6.5
A pretty average game that won’t hold the kids’ interest for long. There aren’t very many things to do in the game, and it becomes boring after awhile. Kids will have much more fun with the PC versions of Catz and Dogz.