It's a Dog Eat Dog World

Shadow Dancer is the spiritual successor to Shinobi and centers on the adventures of Joe Musashi’s son, Hayatte. Hayatte shares many of his father’s skills, including special ninjitsu magic and shuriken-throwing abilities. What sets Hayatte and his game apart from the original Shinobi, however, is the presence of a loyal German shepherd named Yamato. Yamato helps the player in several ways. His bark warns you about potential threats, he can effectively distract enemies in battle, and he will lunge at your rivals when directed to do so. The coolest thing about Yamato is the fact that he turns back into a puppy when he is attacked. It should be stressed that this does not work with real dogs, though. Beating your dog in an attempt to turn him back into an adorable puppy is generally not recommended in the real world.

While I was never a big fan of Secret of Evermore, there were a few aspects of the game that I thought worked really well. One of these aspects is the canine companion that assists the player throughout the game. This dog can help open doors and solve puzzles, and he will always be able to point you in the right direction should you get lost. One of the coolest things about this canine is the manner in which his body transforms to correspond to the theme of the area he finds himself in. In one era, the dog appears as a greyhound; while in another, he might take the form of a fancy poodle. In the prehistoric era, he appears as a feral wolf, and in the future he appears as a robotic dog with the ability to shoot lasers. In summary, this dog travels through time, shoots lasers, and completely disregards the laws of the universe.

Fable II promised a complex world, an epic story, and a deep character-building dynamic. It’s debatable whether or not the game delivered on these promises, but the one aspect about the game that received near-universal praise was the pet dog that accompanies your character throughout the game. Like many other dogs on this list, he can find buried treasure, help in combat, and warn you when danger is approaching. What makes the Fable II canine so special is how realistic he is. He’ll wag his tail, run around aimlessly, and react to your character. He looks, sounds, and responds just like you would expect a real dog to. By using various training books and collars, you can even teach him new tricks. He’s quite loyal too, and will stay by your side regardless of the choices you make in the game. It’s hard not to form an emotional bond with him.

We have technically been introduced to multiple iterations of Dogmeat in various Fallout games. Although the canine companion met a tragic end in the first Fallout, his name endured for generations. The Dogmeat in Fallout 3 is apparently a descendant of the original, and he plays homage to his namesake. Dogmeat proves his worth by distracting raiders, setting off traps, and attacking even the most powerful enemies. He can also sniff out ammunition, chemicals, and food for his master. He’ll follow the lone wanderer anywhere, regardless of how hostile the environment is, and he ranks among the most loyal dogs on this countdown. The Dogmeat in Fallout 4 served a similar role as his predecessors. Regardless of which version you’re talking about, one thing’s for certain – Dogmeat is a good boy!

The sole friend to the mysterious assassin, Shadow, Interceptor does not take kindly to strangers and has been known to viciously attack them. Despite his hostile tendencies, he is very loyal to Shadow. In fact, he’ll occasionally run into battle in an effort to help his master. Oddly, he reacts warmly when he meets a young girl named Relm. Stranger yet is the fact that Interceptor will occasionally rush into battle to help her out too. You’d almost think that he is only kind to Relm because she is actually Shadow’s daughter and Interceptor knew her when she was a child. It’s almost as if Shadow had abandoned his family years earlier and Interceptor followed him. Sorry if I spoiled the game, but it was released nearly three decades ago. If a game is old enough to fight in a war or become a porn star, spoiler warnings should no longer be required.

K.K. Slider (who is known as Totakeke in Japan) is easily one of the most dependable dogs to ever grace a video game. A talented musician who is never without his acoustic guitar, K.K. Slider can frequently be found hanging around outside of train stations or inside local cafes. Every Saturday night at 8 o’clock, K.K. Slider will be willing to play a song for you – and he even takes requests! He’s quite versatile too, and knows well over 50 songs. Another great thing about K.K. Slider is his generosity. After playing songs, he’ll give you a copy to take home and listen to at your leisure. These songs are certain to bring a smile to nearly anyone’s face. The towns in Animal Crossing are full of assholes like Tom Nook and Mr. Resetti, so K.K. Slider’s genuine kindness is somewhat surprising and greatly appreciated.

I wasn’t sure how to feel about Poochy when he first appeared in Yoshi’s Island. Yoshi was already tasked with carrying Mario on his back, so it was a little strange to see Yoshi ride on someone else’s back at the same time. Poochy appears playful with his spotted coat and large red tongue, but he can charge through any enemies in his path and can run over hazardous terrain like spikes or lava. He’s also adept to finding secrets, and his strong sense of smell helps him sniff out fruits for Yoshi. I was on the fence on whether or not to include Poochy on this list, but his yarn iteration in Yoshi’s Wooly World is too adorable not to mention here. The game was renamed Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World for the 3DS port, and the introduction of Poochy pups should be enough to melt even the coldest hearts.

The Duck Hunt dog is arguably the most notorious asshole in video game history, so I can understand how his appearance on this list might be confusing. Even though I don’t approve of the dog laughing at you every time you miss a target, it’s worth noting that he does retrieve the ducks you shoot down. So unless you want to wander into the marsh to find the dead birds yourself, you have to give the dog some credit. It should also be noted that the Duck Hunt dog is probably the most iconic canine companion to ever appear in a video game. After all, his game was included with the NES for several years and Duck Hunt made its way into 30 million homes. The dog later made an appearance in the Super Smash Bros. series. You might hate that damn dog, but you’ll never forget him.

The trusty robotic companion of the Blue Bomber was first seen in Mega Man III and has been a staple of the franchise ever since. Because he was designed by Dr. Light and Dr. Wily to be an all-round support unit, Rush has the ability to take on multiple forms. At various points in the series, Rush has been used as a springboard, a submarine, and a flying jet board. Like any good dog, Rush can also search for hidden items in the ground. Rush even has the ability to attach himself to his master to become a special power suit that gives Mega Man more firepower and temporary flying abilities! Whether he’s navigating through hazardous areas, guiding Mega Man to hard-to-reach places, or simply unearthing rare items, Rush has earned his spot as a permanent fixture in the Mega Man universe.

Parappa is a lovable puppy and an aspiring hip-hop artist. Not only does PaRappa rap, but he also takes karate lessons, learns how to drive, peddles wares in a flea market, and makes an appearance on a cooking show. What really makes PaRappa so lovable is his sheer determination. When he wrecks his father’s car, he gets a part-time job to help cover the cost of the repair. When he wants to impress the girl of his dreams, he gets help from a professional chef and makes her a cake. When he gets explosive diarrhea, PaRappa successfully works his way up through a long restroom queue and avoids shitting his pants. No matter how dire his situation is, PaRappa always pulls through – thanks in large to his positive attitude. PaRappa’s motto (“I gotta believe”) is inspirational and helps secure his spot on the top of this list.