Nintendogs and Cats is still very charming and fun to interact with your pets.
Presentation - In all three different 3DS versions, you can now buy cats and have them play around with your dog. I was quite impressed that each cat had a different coating such as a tabby, spot, and many more. I personally chose a dark tabby cat with green eyes because she looked very similar to my old tabby cat that I used to own in real life. I also named her Elissa, just like my old real cat. The interactions of you and your cat isn't as varied as you have with your dog because you can't take them out on walks, teach them tricks, and take them out on competitions. Nintendo always knows about this because they probably figured that cats are somewhat lazier than dogs in real life. Also, you need about 844 coins to buy a cat, but you can enter your dog in competitions to earn money. Despite these greatly limited interactions with the cats, the charm is still there because it's fun and adorable to have them play around with the dogs. Like the original Nintendogs, you can own up to three different breeds, donate them, or have them placed in a temporary hotel.
Again, taking care of your dogs is still the star of the show, and the 3DS version has made some changes from the original Nintendogs. You can still take them on frisbee and obedience competitions, but now you can now take them on luring competitions. Basically you real in a lure, and your dog has to follow it when it's reeled away from it. Occasionally your pet might stop for a few seconds and play around with the lure, but you shouldn't lure really close to your pet if you want to remain in first place. Also, in the obedience trial, you can use your AR cards that have pictures of Nintendo characters on them.
The differences with taking your dog on walks and the original Nintendogs is also present. In the 3DS version, you can now use your pedometer while you take steps in real life. It will also give your dog some more exercise because it walks in the game as you walk at the same time in real life. Like the original game, you can walk your dog on the leash to have it walk outside to find new gifts, and meet up and interact with the dog owners. The differences are that you can now have your pet play around with the other pets at the park, and you can now travel to different locations such as the cafe or other areas of the park. Also, unlike the original Nintendogs, there isn't a limit on how often you walk your dog.
Graphics - They have improved a lot from the original Nintendogs because all pets have better animation, more in depth coat textures and have different colored eyes. They almost look as close to a dog and cat in real life. You can also enable the 3D slider up to have a more in depth view of your surroundings. The environments are now crisper and clear, and don't have white areas on the ground like the original Nintendogs. You can also buy furniture to place them around in your home which the original game didn't have.
Sound - The music is still pretty generic, but is also more catchy and upbeat than the original game. However, the sound effects such as barks from the dogs and meows from the cats are all present. The effects are accurately implemented like a real pet.
Game play - Training your dog with his responses to your actions are also accurately implemented. Occasionally your pet might want some space and make its own moves such as peeing and taking the number two outside when you take it out for walks, but it's also pretty natural for a dog to make its own actions. Although you can't train your cat, take out on walks, and competitions, you can still pet it or have it play around with the other pets inside your house.
Lasting appeal - You can now use StreetPass and SpotPass to share photos, items, and pet information with other dog owners. Like the original Nintendogs, you can receive gifts, and have your dog play around with their pets at the park.
The Good- the addition of cats is always welcome, some new content and extra features such as connecting with other players and interacting with other pets online, training your dog is still fun and exciting, graphics are outstanding
The Bad- limited interactions with your cats, can't buy cats right away because you have to earn a lot of money, music is still generic
Presentation - 8
Graphics- 10
Sound- 7
Game play- 8
Lasting appeal- 7
GameSpot Score 8 out of 10