Top 10 Dogs in Gaming

I always find myself getting insanely attached to any dog that I come across in games. Sometimes to the point where I will care much more about my pet than any of the other characters in the game. One of the most recent examples of this was in Dragon Age: Origins, where I made sure I had my Warhound (which I named Murphy, after my own brute of a dog) with me at all times. I found I got genuinely upset if my poor mutt was injured and I had more fun talking to him and watching him interact with the other characters at the camp-site than I did with any of the others – Yes, even with the sex scenes included! It goes without saying that a dog is most definitely a gamer’s best friend. So here I would like to celebrate my Top 10 Dogs in Gaming.

#10 – Interceptor (Final Fantasy VI)

Interceptor the Wonder Dog, was the faithful companion of Shadow in FFVI. You never had to worry about healing your doggy buddy and if you were taking a lot of damage he would jump right in to take the hit! What a dog!

One of the reasons why I loved Interceptor so much was the fact that he was one of the first gaming dogs I had come across and he would help me out a lot with his special counter-attack moves. With this pup I would never have to worry when I was stuck in a tight spot!

Not the most cutest of dogs, I’ll admit, but this is made up by the claims that he likes to eat strangers.. Anyone else wondering if Inteceptor is available for hire or is that just me?

#9 – Parappa the Rapper (Self-titled game)

You gotta believe!

Move over Poochie, there was a rapping dog in our hearts way before you hit the TV screens! I first came across Parappa when I played the demo for it when I first got my Playstation. He won me over within minutes!

With a cute (probably wet) button nose and floppy ears, you can’t help but get completely taken in by Parappa and his fun-loving self. The fact that this dog tries his best to win the heart of a flower just pulls at my heartstrings! I dare anyone  to think of this adorable doggy without mentally singing his songs in your head..

“All right, we’re here, just sitting in the car. I want you to show me if you can get far”.. Cookie to the person who can finish that sentence without using Google!

#8 – Poochy (Yoshi’s World)

Is it a duck? Is it a…Wait, what is it?

Well apparently Poochy (if you couldn’t tell by the name) is indeed a dog. With his big red tongue, odd-looking lips and weird tail, Poochy deserves a mention on my list because he is the pup you want when you need to run across some hazardous terrain.

As with all the other dogs in this list, Poochy is of the loyal and faithful kind and will follow Yoshi anywhere he goes. You can swim with Poochy, use him to scale to impossible heights.

Don’t forget to keep an egg on you, it’s great for distracting this perky pooch! I might try that one out on my own dog some time..

#7 – Repede (Tales of Vesperia)

Repede is the first dog on my list that is actually pretty adorable looking! This intelligent pup wields a dagger for battle and carries a rather suave looking pipe along with a very large chain – Just what every dog needs!

Repede is Yuri’s dog in Tales of Vesperia game and has been with his master since childhood. It goes without saying that a bond like theirs is something we all love about our own dogs. Sure, I may say below that I’d swap my big brute Murphy for Rush (oh come on, you wouldn’t say no to a robotic dog either!), but deep down I adore my mutt and if I were to have a companion by my side that knew the meaning of loyalty, it’d be Repede.

#6 – Angelo (Final Fantasy VIII)

Final Fantasy VIII was the first FF game I played and it still holds a strong place in my little gamer heart. I had no idea that Angelo, Rinoa’s gorgeous dog, would be making an appearance and I internally *squee’d* when she (yes, she) came onto the screen.

Angelo is a strong, powerful sidekick who can do no wrong when standing by your side on all fours. This dog plays as a major role in Rinoa’s special move – There are eight different attacks that Angelo can perform with Rinoa and that is why Angelo sits firmly at #6 on my list.

It is just a shame that there don’t seem to be any dogs in the more recent FF games. Sad face.

#5 Rush (Mega Man series)

I came to help you Megaman!

Rush is the first of two robotic dogs on my list. Who doesn’t like a dog who can transform into many forms just for you? He is multi-talented mutt who (across different games) can turn into a submarine, motorcycle, a jet and even a SPACESHIP! Aww, yeah!

The fact that Rush has appeared in many Mega Man games since Mega Man 3 definitely says something about this dog and it’s gaming fans. No doubt that if you ignored the eye-burning colour of this dog, Rush is the type of dog a lot of people would love to have hanging around my household. Hell, I’ve currently got a dog who is screaming to be traded in for a robotic dog..

Yeah, that’s right Murphy, I am looking at you. Rush would be a much better companion.. He could take me to work every day!

#4 – Your Dog (Fable II)

One of my main reasons for putting the Fable II dog near the top of my list is this little fella’s great nose for treasure!

Not only can your faithful friend guide you in quests, assist you in battle, hunt for treasure and learn amusing tricks, but he will change appearance depending on your own alignment (good-evil) too, which is what every pet owner wants in an animal..right?

I have heard that in the latest expansion for Fable II you can change your dog’s breed to Husky, Dalmatian or Bloodhound. I don’t think I’ll be choosing that option, I love My Dog just as he is.

Never change buddy!

#3 – Dogmeat (Fallout 3)

“Dogmeat is waiting outside Vault 101″

Ahh, Dogmeat. The companion of all companions! This is the dog you need when you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic world without a friend in it. The dog of the Wastelands can be a very handy tool in finding ammo, food, chems and even weapons! In the later levels of Fallout 3, Dogmeat pretty much becomes invincible and, because of this, he deserves a place in the Top 3 of Dogs in Gaming.

One of the other great things about this mutt is the “Puppy Perk” you can choose as you level. This means that if, for some unfortunate reason, your beloved buddy dies, then one of his puppies will be waiting to join you outside of Vault 101.

#2 – Mabari Warhound (Dragon Age: Origins)

Definitely my favourite game character of last year, the Mabari Warhound of DA:O is a fantastic furry friend and this is why he is sitting up on the 2nd place spot on my list. As I said at the beginning of this list, I named my Mabari after my own brute, Murphy. This was because they are both the spitting image of one another and are quite similar in their attitudes – Very friendly, obedient and extremely loyal to you. Cautious and careful around people they don’t know.

Getting away from my own person comparisons, the Mabari Warhound is an all-around kickarse dog. His likes include hunting for goodies, licking blood off of you and ripping into your enemies. With bulking muscles, a strong jaw and a belly your just want to rub this little Mabari shoots to the top of my list and I don’t seen that changing any time soon.

#1 DØg (Half Life 2)

DØg, the eight foot robotic hound is my #1 dog in the gaming world. He is Alyx Vance’s pet, constructed by her Father. DØg is an amusing pup who loves playing fetch (with a gravity gun & dead mines), throwing dumpsters and cars at enemies and he really loves dancing. He is an intelligent creature who would give his life for his master, that is very apparent in his skill to sense when Alyx is in danger and rush to the rescue!

So here we have an animal that’ll happily take on Striders, rip into a Dropship and use his zero-point energy gun to pick up whatever is nearby and use it to wipe out hordes of enemies. On top of the sheer adorableness of a robotic dog that makes happily little beep noises at you, what more could you really want in a video game mutt?

You deserve this #1 DØg. Want to play fetch?

http://addictedtogaming.net/feature-article/top-10-dogs-in-gaming

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I TOTALLY disagree with their list!!!!

Number 1 HAS TO BE parappa the rapper, he just give off coolness & coolness which is what dogs are all about!