New Cozy Game on Steam is Essentially Modern-Day Nintendogs

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Many cozy gamers who grew up with the original Nintendogs on the Nintendo DS still feel a longing for that experience. Back then, taking care of a virtual puppy felt genuinely important, and players developed daily routines – checking in, going for walks, and making sure to return before bed. This created a sense of comforting ritual that’s been missing from recent cozy games on platforms like Steam.

For years, fans of classic pet simulation games have been searching for that same cozy feeling they remember. That’s why many still compare new games in the genre to the titles that defined it two decades ago. Now, a new indie game called Puppy Park, available on Steam, is capturing that nostalgic feeling with a fresh approach. It doesn’t simply copy older games, but instead builds on what made them great while also offering something new and different.

Puppy Park on Steam Flips the Nintendogs Formula on Its Head

In the game Nintendogs, players could only keep three puppies at their house, but they could use a hotel to switch out dogs and expand their collection. Puppy Park on Steam flips this idea around – instead of being a dog owner, you play as the manager of the hotel.

In Puppy Park, you’ll escape to a peaceful rural setting with a charming, colorful art style. This relaxing animal simulation lets you manage a dog hotel without the usual pressures. As you get to know each furry guest, your hotel will grow in popularity – one happy wag at a time!

  • Daily care loops: Every day, the pet hotel will fill up with dogs who need a place to hang out. The player will need to shop for food and treats, groom them, and take them on walks along routes tailored to each dog.
  • A growing business: The hotel will grow with an increasing reputation. As a hotel management game, increased renown will unlock new items, boarding capabilities, and walking routes.
  • Pups of all personalities: Just like in real life, every dog in Puppy Park has a unique personality. The player’s job will be to welcome every breed, shape, and size into their hotel while managing their distinct nature and needs.

Puppy Park‘s demo is available to download on Steam now. Its full release is on March 9, 2026.

Ownerships vs. Care

Puppy Park isn’t really about owning puppies; it’s about taking care of them, and that feels like a great change. Instead of finding puppies to keep forever, you’re part of a community that cares for all of them, which keeps the heartwarming feeling of the game while trying something new.

Puppy Park Encourages A Slower Pace—And That’s A Good Thing

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When you visit the Steam page for Puppy Park, the first thing you’ll notice is what the game isn’t. Instead of listing features like most games, Puppy Park uniquely advertises itself as a relaxing experience designed for short, daily play sessions. While many cozy games are popular because you can play them for hours, Puppy Park offers players a different kind of escape – a chance to slow down and break from a busy life.

Cozy games today are often large and complex, offering beautiful and detailed worlds. But sometimes they miss the simple joy of nurturing something small, like a virtual pet. This isn’t a game meant to be played for hours on end; it’s designed for quick, relaxing visits. For those who grew up with games like Nintendogs, this style fits easily into a busy life, rather than demanding you escape from it. In a genre focused on grand experiences, Puppy Park is taking a bold approach: scaling back and focusing on creating a meaningful, intimate experience.

Following in Nintendogs Paw Prints

Games like Nintendogs and Puppy Park show that fun gameplay doesn’t always require complicated skill trees or leveling systems. They demonstrate that a simple, engaging loop of around 30 minutes to an hour of playtime can be very effective – a formula successfully used in games like Animal Crossing.

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2026-02-17 03:05