Worrying about your Nintendogs is totally normal according to psychology

It’s 2005. Despite the obnoxious glow from under your bed sheets, you are convinced your parents think you’re asleep and they are too tired to do much about the fact you’re not. At least for tonight. This is great news, as Lucky – your Shiba Inu – needs to learn to roll over so he can pass his Obedience Trial. Though your new pet has somewhat of a pixelated appearance, the Nintendo DS’s glow is nothing compared to what emanates from your cheeks when your whisper-shouting finally pays off. You pet his little fluffy head and he wags his tail in pleasure; life cannot get better than this. 

This is Nintendogs, where two of man’s best friends — dogs and the touchscreen — collide. 

Games we played as kids live on in our minds in a special way; you don’t necessarily remember the janky loading screen or the lack of controls. You do, however, remember the way they made you feel. And unlike other games at the time that focused more on competition or rewards, Nintendogs — even when there was also a reward or competition element — always honed in on emotional connection. The stronger your “bond” with your pup, the less they would fight neighboring dogs on walks.