We all remember those cute little digital animals. Here they where called Tamagotchi's. I don't know where else, but they where a hype. We have had Pokemon as hype. Maybe also stuff like Lord of The Rings and The Matrix. They were hypes, you almost doesn't find anything back of that. I don't know how far it went, but here in Holland we had little round cardboard thingies called Flippo's, they were in the chips. They were a hype for very very long. I think maybe two or three years. Every store made it's own, there were even special ones about the football, like the different teams in the Dutch competion (PSV, Ajax, Feyenoord etc) and the national team. That was a long time ago already. There are some hypes still going on like Lego or with those little glass-like rounds. We here in Holland call them knikkers, I don't know what you call them. Barbies are also a thing like that. That's what the youth grows up with. With the hypes. And personally I think there will be a new one coming. That's why I started with this and it's also why I started with the Tamagotchi's. There is a new form, I am sure nine out of ten of you already heard of them. Nintendogs. They are like virtual dogs on your Nintendo DS. You have to take care of them, can play with them and win prizes to buy a playmate (another dog) for them. I heard you even can take them for a walk in a digital neighbourhood. Why do I think they are going to be a hype? I dunno. Already against us (people around 18-22 years old)  they say we are the internet-generation. So what's with the "next" generation of kids then? They will grow up even more with the computer and games. And I think a game like Nintendogs will connect to that. Also there is another thing to watch with it. A lot of children say to mom and dad:

"Mom, I want a dog!!".

"Yeah, and then I am going to take care of it"

"No, I will, mom, please, awww, please"

"Alright, but you really take care of it?"

"Yes, mom, now let's go!!"

The result will be mom and dad take care of the dog while the kids go out and play. The costs for the little animal will be enormous. Maybe this will even result in dumping the dog somewhere. Then now there is Nintendogs. Cheaper and mom and dad don't have to take care of it. Maybe they want to play with it, but that's a different thing. If any parent is reading this. A tip: If your children are asking for a dog give them a DS with Nintendogs, it's cheaper then a real one.

If it's really gonna be a hype, more versions will come. Cats, birds, rabbits? Who knows? If Nintendo is getting profit out of it, they are sure as hell going to make more, different sorts or better versions. The nasty thing of this hype is that it can just stop as easily as has begun. Cause a Nintedog isn't cuddly like a really dog. And if another publisher comes with a better game or there comes out a briljant new serie then the kids leave it lying untill the game-disk is dusty and rotten. Call me crazy, but I think it actually can be a fun game. Maybe I will even end up buying one. But don't worry, I won't forget to tell you how much fun it is. .

But first things first, there are coming out a lot of more games, so a Nintendog can wait. A long time. Maybe even forever.