10 Best Video Game Dog Companions

Approximately 45.5% of U.S. households were home to at least one dog in the year 2024, as indicated by data from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

It’s clear that people take a liking to dogs, and there’s hardly any reason not to! After all, they’re full of warmth, devotion, and adorable beyond belief.

We not only enjoy keeping dogs as companions, but we also appreciate seeing them in various forms of media, often portrayed in helpful roles such as scent tracking or combating antagonists.

For many years, dogs have proven themselves as valuable companions in various games, consistently displaying admirable behavior regardless of the context; they’re always remarkable canines, be it a boy or a girl.

10. Rush

Mega Man 3

First appeared in “Mega Man 3”, Rush is Mega Man’s faithful canine companion, specifically designed by Dr. Light for assistance tasks.

Instead of falling short in combat abilities compared to Mega Man, Rush compensates by offering a multitude of useful features.

Initially, Rush was capable of utilizing a jumping mechanism that transformed into either a hoverboard or a submarine.

Throughout the course of the show, he acquired additional features such as a search function, a bicycle mode, and the capability to merge with Mega Man, transforming into various enhanced versions.

It’s a safe bet that wherever Mega Man goes, Rush won’t be too far behind.

9. Hewie

Haunting Ground

At dawn, Fiona encounters a series of unsettling events while interacting with the personnel of Belli Castle in the game titled “Haunting Ground”.

After a harrowing dream that left me shaken, I found myself gazing upon a German Shepherd, tethered outside. Overwhelmed with compassion, I couldn’t help but feel for this canine companion. With a sense of liberation in mind, I untied the knot, and he took off, disappearing into the distance.

In a later meeting, Hewie the dog bravely intervenes, chasing off the large man who had been threatening Fiona.

Or, during their next interaction, it was Hewie the dog who saved Fiona, intimidating the big man and causing him to flee.

Beyond locating valuable items for Fiona using his reliable snout, Hewie also fearlessly protects her when she’s in danger. He barks menacingly and aggressively confronts anyone who causes her trouble.

8. D-Dog

Metal Gear Solid V

In the game “Metal Gear Solid V,” the character Venom Snake encounters a young, abandoned wolf during his operation.

After a stay at Fulton Recovery, the dog was escorted to Mother Base where it began its training under the guidance of Revolver Ocelot.

Following a period of development and remarkable expansion, the puppy matures into a reliable ally for Snake and essentially serves as the team’s emblem, the Diamond Dogs. Consequently, he is affectionately dubbed D-Dog, with DD being his abbreviated nickname.

Due to Ocelot’s training, DD has become an exceptional military dog. He can detect enemy soldiers and supplies with his keen sense of smell and signal their locations to Snake via radar.

On Snake’s command, DD can even covertly knock out or kill unsuspecting soldiers.

7. Dogmeat

Fallout 4

Since the debut of the game series, “Fallout”, four-legged friends known as Dogmeats have consistently made appearances.

Among all the Dogmeats, the one that has advanced the most is the one you encounter not long after departing from Sanctuary in Fallout 4.

Beyond just being instantly affectionate and faithful towards the Sole Survivor, Dogmeat significantly contributes to the core storyline’s progression.

Following Nick Valentine’s advice, the Sole Survivor guides Dogmeat to follow the trail of Institute mercenary Conrad Kelogg. Eventually, they successfully trap him at his secret lair.

Regardless of the path your travels may lead, Dogmeet remains unaffected by karmic consequences and thus, he’s the one constant ally who stays by your side throughout your journey.

6. Boney

Mother 3

Boney is the loyal, if somewhat put-upon dog to Flint’s family in Mother 3.

Initially, he has a minor part in the narrative, assisting Flint in finding Duster. However, once Lucas takes center stage as the main character, he subsequently gets integrated as a permanent group member.

Despite not having the potent Psychic powers of Lucas, Kumatora, or Duster’s stealth skills, Boney compensates by utilizing his keen nose to detect vulnerabilities and resistances in enemies.

Boney shows an extraordinary devotion to Lucas, going so far as to disguise himself as a human and walk on two legs for a long time just to gain entry into a nightclub, which was quite uncomfortable for him personally.

5. Oatchi

Pikmin 4

In Pikmin 4, apart from the regular species of plant-based helpers, your small explorer is joined by a rescue dog named Oatchi.

Oatchi belongs to a breed of cosmic canines working for the Rescue Corps, which were previously residents of the planet Giya and later trained by the Shepherd Family for their roles.

At their initial encounter, Oatchi isn’t overly keen on the Pikmin, but as he expands in both size and knowledge, they can collaborate flawlessly under your instructions.

In addition to his tracking abilities, Oatchi’s larger stature makes him not only a formidable mount but also an effective weapon against the bigger beasts that inhabit this planet.

4. Koromaru

Persona 3

In the game ‘Persona 3’, Koromaru is a white Shiba Inu residing at a temple and playground close to the Iwatodai Dormitories.

He’s a widely recognized individual within the community, cherished by the residents due to his regular evening security rounds.

Coincidentally, Akihiko runs into him during the Dark Hour while chasing after a wandering Shadow. To his surprise, he finds that Koromaru had already vanquished the creature on his own.

Regardless of being a canine, Koromaru possesses a powerful, dignified spirit, which is potent enough to summon the Persona, Cerberus.

Due to his exceptional skills and courage, he was enlisted into the S.E.E.S., playing a crucial role as a team member during the investigation of Tartarus.

3. Hero’s Dog

Fable 2

At the outset of the tale of Fable 2, a youngster destined to be Bowerstone’s Hero comes across an abandoned pup being harassed by a cruel character.

Once they rescue the dog, it promptly transforms into a loyal partner for life, tagging along on every one of their journeys.

In a fight, your dog can assist you by dispatching fallen adversaries, and also locate and unearth objects in the wilderness.

He’s incredibly devoted to the Hero, to the point where, when Lucian Fairfax tries to fire at them, the dog bravely leaps into the line of fire and sacrifices itself by taking the bullet, thus becoming a hero in its final moment.

2. Repede

Tales of Vesperia

In the world of Tales of Vesperia, my loyal dog companion, Repede, was the very first comrade to team up with me aside from our leader, Yuri.

Repede used to belong to one of the royal knights, who was killed while defending a small town.

Following Yuri’s departure from the knighthood, Repede accompanied him, holding onto a pipe once belonging to his former master as a keepsake.

It’s clear that he doesn’t contribute much insight about the main events of the story, but you can count on him being supportive towards Yuri and ready for battle whenever necessary.

Using the bequeathed Bodhi Blastia from his former master, Repede exhibits an array of combative abilities, boldly wielding a dagger clenched between his teeth.

1. Missile

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

In Ghost Trick, Missile is the faithful companion to Lynne’s surrogate sister, Kamila.

He’s remarkably intelligent for a dog, yet he still finds it hard to resist the urge to bark at whatever piques his interest due to his natural instincts.

In a twist of events, a hitman murders the missile, kidnaps Kamila in the process. However, due to Sissel’s intervention, the missile’s spirit remains alive, and together they work to reverse the assassination.

In the game’s narrative, there’s this missile character who pops up now and then, sometimes physical, other times more like a ghostly presence. But whenever he appears, you can count on him lending a hand, ready to assist in any way he can.

Read More

2025-02-19 17:40