Games can be contentious. Some people like shooters; some people like RPGs. Some people like sports games; weirdos like myself are into racing games. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that everyone likes dogs in their games. This isn’t a knock on cat people; cats are great, too. But we’re talking about dogs here so maybe chill for a sec, OK? Boy howdy, was 2015 a banner year for video game dogs. Let’s have a look shall we?
Dog/Dinki-Di – Mad Max
Dinki-Di is named after a brand of Dog food in the Mad Max universe. We know this because our titular hero can be found eating it on a semi-regular basis. Whether he’s eating it because he wants his tears to smell like dog food or just because he’s hungry and lives in a nuclear wasteland where food is not readily available, we’ll never know.
Annoying Dog – Undertale
Undertale is packed to the brim with hilarious, lovable characters. Then there’s the Annoying Dog. A frequent thorn in everyone’s side, he’s always gumming up the works! A brief list of his mayhem (may contain spoilers):
- Steals Toriel’s phone.
- Ruins Papyrus’ special attack.
- Steals all of the bones Papyrus gifted to Undyne.
- Steals the Legendary Artifact and fills your inventory with Dog Residue. Gross!
- Is an actual bomb.
- And many more.
This little scamp may be a pain when he darkens your doorstep, but at the end of the day, he’s more a beast of mischief rather than malice. And, hey… Dogsong usually plays when he shows up, so it’s not all bad.
Daisy – Evolve
I know what you’re thinking: “That’s not a dog! Get that thing the heck out of here!” Alternately, if you’re an Evolve fan you’re thinking: “That’s Maggie’s pet Trapjaw, Daisy. It’s not a dog, but I see what you’re going for. Good thinking. Here’s $20 bucks!” DM me for my PayPalinfo if that second one is the case.
Daisy might not be the common canine we all know and love, but she’s a loyal animal that adores her owner. And she provides the same kind of support the other game dogs listed here do, sniffing out enemies and selflessly defending her owner. You’re gonna be kicking yourself when a Goliath bears down on you because Daisy wasn’t there to help you spot it first. That’s what you get for being prejudiced against space dogs. Serves you right.
DD – Metal Gear Solid V
DD, or Diamond Dog, is one of Venom Snake’s best companions in MGSV. You think he’d pale in comparison to the other buddy options, an armored horse, a heavily armed mini-Metal Gear, and an ultra-deadly super sniper, but you’d be wrong. Not only does DD sniff out enemies with his patented Dog Nose™, but you can give him a bodysuit and a knife which he’ll use to mercilessly dispatch Snake’s enemies. OK, maybe that’s a little macabre, but I’ll jam a piece of shrapnel into my brain if the puppy DD scenes aren’t some of the cutest moments of the year.
Dogmeat – Fallout 4
Dogmeat is about as loyal a canine companion as anyone could ask for. He’s been around since the original Fallout, and he can carry tons of junk you pick up while wandering around the wasteland. Heck, he can even break through advanced security measures and snag you the Cryolator way before you’re supposed to be able to get it!
He’s also about as fearless as they get. Wanna send him straight into a Super Mutant dual wielding Fat Men? With an eager “Woof!” and his can-do attitude, he’s on his way. What a trooper.
But let’s stop beating around the bush. What makes this version of Dogmeat the best yet? The ability to strap armor, bandanas and doggles on him, that’s what.