I love dogs and I love video games, so when I realized August is National Dog Month, I had a legal obligation to organize a list of the Best Video Game Dogs. Below are 21 number of our favorite good boys and girls; we’ve been fairly expansive with the definition of “doggo” to be inclusive of other canines. Please join me in wishing a Happy National Dog Month to all these good dogs!
– Amanda Tien, Editor
The 21 Best Dogs in Video Games
These are our favorite video game dogs of all time, ranging from small to big, wolf to humanoid, good to even more good. Want to jump to a specific entry? Use our table of contents:
- Aesop from The Flame in the Flood
- Amaterasu from Ōkami
- Beef from Dispatch
- Cerberus from Hades and Hades II
- Chlodo from Bladesong
- Dog from Dragon Age: Origins
- Eeveee from Pokémon Games
- Fenrir from God of War Ragnarök
- Goofy from Kingdom Hearts
- Grey from Creature Kitchen
- Luna from Transistor
- Missile from Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
- Mysterious Fox from Persona 4
- Poochy from Yoshi Games
- Puppies from Nintendogs
- Rudi from Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
- Rush from Mega Man II
- Sif from Dark Souls
- Scratch from Baldur’s Gate 3
- Torgal from Final Fantasy XVI
- Wolf Link from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Plus, several VERY IMPORTANT Honorable Mentions
Aesop from The Flame in the Flood
I feel blessed that Aesop is alphabetically first on this list because, to me, he’s the top video game dog here and for one notable reason: He is very, very helpful. Many video game dogs are cute or entertaining, but they often don’t add a lot of value other than a smile (which, again, is great!). In The Molasses Flame’s 2016 indie survival game The Flame in the Flood, Aesop is absolutely critical to protagonist Scout’s success in the climate apocalypse.
Aesop, a scruffy mutt, wears a travel pack and can carry key items for the player, like bandages or jars of clean water. He’ll bark when he notices something dangerous, such as a snake, or something useful, like a set of cottontail reeds. I often only noticed things because Aesop pointed them out to me. From a story perspective, Aesop is also important — he brings the player character a mysterious radio that leads Scout on a journey downriver toward salvation. I loved that the developers took the care to make sure that, every time Scout gets on and off her raft, she gently pets him.
Even though Scout begins the game alone with no community, she never seems lonely in the game with Aesop by her side. Ten years later, I can’t stop thinking about the game’s ending or what a good boy Aesop is.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Amaterasu from Ōkami
To this day, Capcom’s 2006 hit Ōkami remains perhaps the greatest action-adventure title not set in Hyrule. Inspired heavily by The Legend of Zelda, the Clover Studio-developed game rivaled Link’s adventures not just in design, storytelling, and presentation, but in heart. Everything, from the gorgeous cel-shaded style to the vast overworld and imaginative ink-powered abilities, made for an adventure that felt truly boundless.
The game’s titular protagonist, Ōkami Amaterasu, has a lot to do with the game’s allure. A sun goddess turned canine, Amaterasu must embark on a quest to defeat the evil serpent Orochi and restore color to the world. Her attitude — headstrong yet wise, ferocious yet kind — sets the tone for a world that can become surprisingly dark, and not just because it has lost its color. Despite the “T for Teen” rating, the game is decidedly more mature than the average Zelda title, with visceral (and gory, per the ESRB) combat and frightening, puppet-like foes.
No, Amaterasu isn’t actually a dog. In fact, the white wolf is frequently mistaken for a dog throughout the 40-plus hour adventure — much to her chagrin. But given the two species share DNA, I’m willing to bend the rules here. And hey, I’d argue it’s a compliment. Yes, wolves are the more dangerous animals, but dogs are the more loyal, friendly, social beings; they bring out the best in their human counterparts, much like how Amaterasu brings out the best in the world and communities around her. She’ll make it seem otherwise, but she’s as good a lady as they come.
– Written by David Silbert
Beef from Dispatch
Small yappy dogs might be maligned in pop culture, but I won’t hear a word against my best boy, Beef, from 2025’s Dispatch. This supersized chihuahua is the whole beef burrito: loyal, playful, friendly, and detail-oriented (he can always smell Invisagal when she’s in the room)! Sure, for most of the game, he doesn’t do much beyond fetching his ball, asking for belly rubs, and letting out cute toots with perfect comedic timing. But when you least expect it, Beef plays a pivotal role — he is the character upon which the climax hinges.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains plot spoilers for Dispatch.]
That’s right: In a game with two romanceable options, the developers hinged the end on Beef’s pup-napping at the hands of Shroud! This moment totally subverts expectations, and I adored this plot twist. Well, I hated it, because only someone truly diabolical would threaten the life of my beloved Beef, but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Beef is innocent and helpless in a way that Blonde Blazer and Invisagal simply wouldn’t be, nor does this moment’s emotional impact depend on a player’s particular investment in either romance.
But it goes beyond that too. Because Beef is more than Robert’s best friend — this dog is Robert’s family. Building the climax around Beef acknowledges his importance and reinforces Dispatch’s central theme: this is a story about the family you choose.
Thankfully, Beef does not perish. He lives on, celebrated by the rest of the Z-team for many sequels to come (well, fingers crossed). Here’s to you, Beefy boy!
– Written by Lauryl Fischer
Cerberus from Hades and Hades II
What is better than one dog? What about two dogs? That’s right — three dogs! I’m talking about Cerberus in Supergiant’s Hades (2020) and Hades II (2025), a demigod’s three-headed best friend.
Cerberus has earned his rightful place near the top of this list (look, I know it’s alphabetical, but he is technically royalty and therefore deserves top billing) for myriad reasons. In Hades, he is one of many characters with whom you develop a bond by giving well-deserved pets and delicious nectar treats. One nectar earns a stylish spiked collar that instantly boosts Zagreus’s HP. For me, those extra 25 points were a much-needed buff that helped me through the early stages of the game.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains gameplay spoilers for Hades and Hades II.]
But Cerberus has a greater role — he is the final guardian both in the Temple of Styx in Hades and the Fields of Mourning in Hades II. In the former, Cerberus guards the final gate to the surface. During my first run-through, when I came across Cerberus blocking my path, I thought I might have to fight my beloved dog and nearly cursed the gods. But Supergiant does a clever rug pull here; instead, Zagreus has to search labyrinthine corridors for his pupper’s favorite juicy treat to distract him: a Satyr Sack. This is an excellent alternative, not only because I’m a softie who would rather perish in the waters of the Styx than raise a hand against Cerberus, but because it reimagines the chambers from previous biomes, keeping gameplay fresh.
Now imagine my horror when, in Hades II, Cerberus once again guards the gates to another biome…but this time as a corrupted, fire-breathing “Infernal Cerberus,” intent on turning Melinoë into roasted kibble. Curse you, Supergiant! How dare you do that to my boy!!!!
Making players finally fight Cerberus in the sequel is truly sick and twisted, but admittedly, excellent payoff to his setup in the first game. Plus, Cerberus’s role in both games reflects his relationship with each protagonist. As Zagreus’s loyal hound of hell, he will obey his master when given proper motivation (Satyr Sack). But Melinoë didn’t grow up with Cerberus; she had no way to bond with him. So, even after she saves him from the corrupted energies of the Fields of Mourning, Cerberus still doesn’t let her pet him and she never receives the spiked collar. Which, as a Cerberus-lover, I found unfair — but hey! Maybe Melinoë is just a cat person.
– Written by Lauryl Fischer
Chlodo from Bladesong
I had the privilege of reviewing the early access release of Sun and Serpent’s 2026 debut title Bladesong; it’s held a place in my mind as one of the best video games I’ve ever played. There are so many amazing things about the game that I could happily write about for several paragraphs, but one of my favorites was the best-est boy: Chlodo.
You meet Chlodo very early on in the story; he accompanies a small family in the bleak, cruel and dirty camp where you’ve sought refuge. The family are some of the very few decent souls that reside at the camp, and they immediately sing his praises as a “good boy” who defends them from ill-intentioned refugees.
Although Chlodo can’t save you from all the troubles you face in Bladesong, I have to agree with their assessment — Chlodo is indeed a good boy. He’s loyal, loving, fluffy and adorable. And, as with any real-life dog (or cat, or guinea pig, or spider — whatever floats your boat), his being around makes every day just a little bit brighter. Did I mention you can pet him?
– Written by Darcy Maunder
Dog from Dragon Age: Origins
BioWare is famous for creating excellent characters that pull at the heartstrings of players, but there may be no companion in their games more faithful than the aptly named Dog in 2009’s Dragon Age: Origins. Dog is a Mabari war hound that can be encountered and recruited. Your other companions are judgmental knights, suspicious witches, and sketchy thieves, but Dog is straightforward in his bold, doughy-faced goodness. He’s not just a pet, but a full-fledged party member — BioWare even gave him his own skill tree! (Still, Dog deserves better and should get some cool dog armor!)
Dog is helpful outside of battle as well. You can ask Dog to look for anything interesting while outside camp, and he’ll bound off and return for items you would’ve otherwise had to scrounge for. Additionally, if the player-character is gross (e.g., Covered in the gore of thine enemies), they can ask Dog to help them clean up — Dog happily licks your face and you’ll even be healed along the way!
Dragon Age: Origins is a really interesting game in that your protagonist can have one of several different backgrounds (origins, you see?) and so your first several hours of the gameplay are totally different based on which path you choose. However, Dog will love you and be loyal no matter where you come from, proving once and again that dogs are so good and that we don’t deserve them.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Eevee from Pokémon
I desperately wanted a dog as a child, but couldn’t have one. When I started playing Pokémon Blue in 1998, I became immediately obsessed with any dog-like Pokémon. Blue had Vulpix as its doggo-exclusive, and I thought the fox-like fire critter was absolutely adorable. I remember jealously coveting a friend who had Pokémon Red and therefore access to Growlithe. But it was Eevee that really captured my imagination.
In Red/Blue/Yellow, there is only one Eevee available in-game to players. It is found in Pokémon Mansion in Celadon City; a nearby scientist remarks how amazing it is that it can change into three wildly different Pokémon depending on what evolution stone it is exposed to. As a kid, the different Pokémon types were exciting and understandable to me — water beats fire, fire beats grass, I get it. So the idea of a “normal” type Pokémon whose destiny I could shape into a type that was useful for my team? Incredible.
In Blue (and later, Yellow), I agonized over the decision. Eevee had so much potential. I wanted to make the right choice. Was Jolteon the most powerful? But Vaporeon looked like a cool fish! And Flareon undoubtedly reminded me of my beloved Vulpix. No more would I have the boring Quick Attack but instead Thunderbolt, Water Gun, or Flame Wheel! To be honest, I can’t even tell you what I ultimately chose as a child — that Eevee simply could evolve into such varied paths is what sticks with me even now. More and more ambitious types (nicknamed “Eeveelutions”) has kept Eevee as one of the most beloved ‘mon for years across dozens of games.
Game Freak knew what they were doing when they picked just two Pokémon to feature in their Let’s Go! remakes of Pokémon Yellow: one lets you be accompanied by the famous Pikachu, and the other lets players walk around with Eevee by their side. This is one of the franchise’s biggest compliments, to pair Eevee right up there with the global superstar Pikachu. Eevee, a great sort-of dog.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Fenrir from God of War Ragnarök
If you know, you know.
[Editor’s Note: This blurb contains story spoilers for God of War Ragnarök.]
In the opening hours of God of War Ragnarök, Atreus must say goodbye to his pet wolf, Fenrir. The young demi-god’s voice is already raspy as he enters his teenage years, and it is downright sandpaper as he whispers, “You’re a good boy…A brave boy, fast and strong. But you can rest now, okay?” Fenrir is ill, but he still manages to lick Atreus on the ears. Atreus comforts the old wolf as he dies; he unknowingly activates a special power inherited from his mother’s family to save a part of Fenrir’s spirit in his knife. Kratos, God of War, stands silent nearby; he does not know how to comfort his son as he mourns.
Throughout the game, Atreus struggles with loss, his relationship with his father, and his identity. During a particularly tough fight with Garm, a massive wolf guarding the gates of Hel, Atreus strikes the beast with his knife — when he realizes what’s happened, he hopes that the tiny spark of Fenrir’s spirit may help calm the soulless beast. Instead, they discover that Fenrir has completely taken over Garm’s body, and the bestest boy is now the biggest boy in the land. He not only helps Atreus and crew save the world from destruction, but also gets to comfortably snuggle and relax in the epilogue.
Fenrir’s comeback was so epic that I cheered out loud. On the site, Fenrir was a highlight in our end-of-year 2022 prop awards. He is a very good giant boy.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Goofy from Kingdom Hearts
GAWRSH!!! If you’ve played any of Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts games, you’ve heard that exclamation and many others countless times from our old pal Goofy. Ever-present and equally ever-vocal, Goofy is a trusty companion who I couldn’t imagine playing the games without. Sure, he’s incredibly annoying and yes, using just a shield in battle isn’t the most effective strategy, and somehow, he’s also kind of a moron.
Yet somehow, Goofy remains a core part of the Kingdom Hearts experience, much like Navi in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You could go back and take them out, but it would remove some of the soul, the nostalgia, and the true experience of playing the games.
With Donald and Goofy by Sora’s side, you never feel alone and the banter between characters really does give the whole journey a feeling of going on an awesome adventure with your best buds. Donald is more suspicious and grouchy, but Goofy brings a lot of joy and patience. It just wouldn’t be the same if Sora was adventuring solo! And I’ll admit he looks pretty sick as a turtle in The Little Mermaid world.
– Written by Zack Gulinello
Grey from Creature Kitchen
I’m not a big fan of scary games, but there was something delightful about the eldritch indie horror title Creature Kitchen that I had to give it a go. Even though it’s actually quite a cozy game all things considered, I was still pretty freaked out. I’m embarrassed to say I screamed out loud multiple times — first, when Bigfoot stomped towards me out of the woods, ready for a sandwich, and secondly when I turned around and a ghost with legs was suddenly sitting at the kitchen table.
As a result, when I crouched down to a dilapidated dog house in the yard, I was a bit nervous. I threw a squeaky toy in, dreading what came out. A strange, ghostly, uber-leggy Greyhound/Borzoi-like critter emerged, and I was instantly relieved. Despite his otherworldly essence (the player’s notebook even reflects that he doesn’t really seem like a dog), Grey behaves just like a good boy.
When you return to the game after logging out, Grey patiently waits for you at the door to the cabin. You can pet him. He’ll lay down in the kitchen until you give him a steak. He’ll loyally follow you around. He’s a hecking good boy, and he never ceased to make me smile, even when other weird animals were being very demanding with their dinner orders.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Luna from Transistor
In Supergiant Games’ 2014 title Transistor, you have to defeat an obsessive boss. After the battle, you unlock the “Help()” function, which allows you to summon a digital helper called “Friend.” But, much more importantly, it also unlocks a hidden area called “Sandbox” where we find our lost doggie Luna.
The function of Help() is one of the most useful for activating the “Superuser” status during combat. With a 25% chance of activation, it allows the main character, the “User,” to enter a state where they can deal massive damage and permanently remove respawning enemies from the field of battle. Luna is the only named “Friend” in the game. She is a cute, orange playful “Friend” who wants you to do nothing but play catch with an inflatable beach ball.
Although Luna might be among the least known dogs on this list, she is certainly among the most powerful and helpful.
– Written by Vaughn Hunt
Missile from Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
This will sound unsympathetic amidst a sea of good doggo vibes, but I don’t love dogs. I got tackled by a Great Dane when I was six or seven years old, which obviously didn’t kill me, but felt like it did at the time. Dogs have a lot of positive energy, and I don’t. I’m not a total downer — if a dog runs up to me, I’ll appease it for a time — but I just don’t have the energy to cater to a dog all the time.
So keep that negative preamble in mind when I say that Missile is one of the greatest characters in video games, ever.
Missile is a Pomeranian from Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, directed by Shu Takumi of Ace Attorney fame. Missile actually has a bit of a long history, in a sense: Missile is named after Shu Takumi’s Shiba, who himself is named after Missile, Detective Gumshoe’s K-9 hound (also a Shiba, however).
Missile’s character history is a long and twisty one, which is to be expected from any character in Ghost Trick — a dramatic, twisty mystery game. Explaining Missile’s true importance would require a point-by-point spoiler explanation of the plot of Ghost Trick, which might be interesting but would also be quite unwieldy. So I’ll summarize it as thus: Missile is one of the most loyal characters of all time, fiercely dedicated to his owners, Kamila and Lynne, having vowed to devote his life to protecting them. And his devotion and love for them is so powerful, it even spans space and time.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains story spoilers for Ghost Trick.]
Ghost Trick is a game about many things. One of its motifs is, well, pets. Missile is the immediate one that comes to mind, of course, so loyal to Kamila and Lynne that he waits, powerless, biding his time for ten years to undo the tragedy that set the events of the game in motion. But Missile isn’t the only loyal pet who deserves flowers here. Our protagonist, Sissel, deserves a mention. The final hour of the game reveals that Sissel’s true identity is that of a stray kitten who was “adopted” by Yomiel, the game’s primary antagonist, and keeps him company for ten, lonely years. Sissel and Missile, the two playable characters in the game, are both pets. And who knows what would have happened to our lovable cast without them?
– Written by Kei Isobe
Mysterious Fox from Persona 4
Easily the best Social Link in Atlus’ Persona 4, the Mysterious Fox is just that: She’s a fox who hands out quests from a shrine. She wears a beautiful bib. Her face is scarred. She doesn’t talk. She’s mysterious. All the fox wants is to make her home, the shrine where you find her, better. And she thinks having the protagonist fulfill the wishes that folks leave at the shrine will do that. More people who believe in the power of the shrine means more donations, which can be used to improve the shrine, and therefore bring more people.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains side quest spoilers for Persona 4.]
After fulfilling all the requested wishes, the Protagonist returns to the shrine. On his last visit, the donation box was overflowing with gratitude, and the Fox was thrilled! But now, the box has been emptied. The Fox is concerned! Someone stole the gratitude! And the shrine is still in disrepair. Then, slowly, the shrine comes back to life. The money was used to improve everything, and bring the shrine back to its former glory. Her mission complete, the Fox gives the protagonist a leaf in gratitude.
And then has three babies. Very mysterious. Yip.
– Written by Gary Wilson
Poochy from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Video game dogs can serve any number of purposes. Most of the time, they exist to be cute and cuddly. Sometimes, they’re the emotional or even mechanical focal point of a game. In the case of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Nintendo’s classic 1995 platformer for the SNES, a video game dog can be both an adorable source of joy and a key gameplay component. That’s right, Poochy has it all.
Despite his existence as an icon of the franchise, Poochy only appears in three levels in the original Yoshi’s Island. Still, those are incredibly memorable appearances, as Poochy A) helps Yoshi and Baby Mario cross dangerous paths and solve fun puzzles and B) looks absolutely elated doing so. With a smile bigger than most of his body, Poochy makes his brief moments in Yoshi’s Island some of the most enjoyable in the entire experience, and his loyalty to our beloved dinosaur pal (he always moves in the direction the player is looking) never goes unnoticed.
This delightful canine has since become a cornerstone of the Yoshi franchise, including having an expanded role in Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World for the 3DS. Even Switch gem Yoshi’s Crafted World had a core gameplay function related to Poochy, as every single main level had a flipside challenge at the end, where the player goes through the same level in reverse in search of several little Poochy Pups, all of whom are just as cute as you are currently imagining in your head.
The “can I pet the dog?” trend in games put a major focus on interacting with dogs as an ancillary and optional mechanic in games otherwise unconcerned with the well-being of pets. In the Yoshi games, the dog gets to take part in the action, serving just as much a gameplay purpose as an aesthetic one. It’s also nice that Poochy looks as happy to be there as I am to play with him.
– Written by Sam Martinelli
Puppies from Nintendogs
We couldn’t have pets growing up, but I was desperate for a dog. I begged my parents for any dog-themed content I could find as a kid; I hit the jackpot when Nintendogs came stateside in 2005. There were three games with different breeds, and despite my coercing, my parents would only get me one — I received Lab & Friends. I remember practically shaking as I started it up on my Nintendo DS.
A black Labrador Retriever puppy bounded up to the screen and “licked” me. I was ecstatic. I picked one of the suggested default names, Lucky, and that was the beginning of my parents’ nightmare. Because the Nintendo DS had a microphone, I could call out to my dog. We’d be on car rides or watching television, and I’d be quietly shouting, “Lucky! Lucky! Come here! Lucky!” To this day, they still tease me about it.
But only people who had Nintendogs as a kid can realize what an incredible experience it was to care for and love these virtual doggos. I loved taking my dog “on walks” and earning his trust. I could “pet” him using the stylus and touch screen — amazing! I soon adopted other in-game puppies, giving them a chance to play together. The Nintendogs games were some of the earliest cozy titles out there.
Chloe Johnson recently wrote a Mothership piece about the mental and emotional benefit of Nintendogs, featuring this interview with research psychologist Nick Ballou: “The role someone played as a caretaker for their Nintendog [satisfied] our fundamental need to feel connected to others, human or animal, virtual or real… Through repetitive actions, positive feedback, lack of time pressure or social comparison through competitive elements, and cute (often explicitly not high fidelity) aesthetics, games like Stardew Valley, Spiritfarer, Animal Crossing, and indeed Nintendogs are consistently highlighted as being beneficial for people with low mood as a form of recovery.”
Thank you, Nintendogs, for bringing me joy and for helping introduce a whole generation of femmes to the Nintendo DS.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Rudi from Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
When I think of the absolute best of the best video game dogs, Rudi is at the top of my list. Does he do a whole lot? Definitely not. Rudi doesn’t follow you around, fight your enemies or carry anything for you, but that’s ok. What Rudi does is be cute as hell (and pee on a tree).
Really, I should be giving a shoutout to Simogo, the developers of 2024’s Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, because interacting with Rudi is the most rewarding “pet the dog” experience I’ve had in a game. When you get close to him, and press a button to engage, the screen gets super close up on his adorable little face and you hear a soft panting as you gently rub his noggin. It’s five seconds of bliss in an otherwise creepy and haunting adventure, which is why whenever I was feeling overwhelmed I’d return to the courtyard where he roams and give him a nice ear scratch.
I guess I was feeling overwhelmed a lot because I’d estimate 23 of my 25 hours were spent alongside Rudi, just chilling by the fountain. Props to you, Simogo, you know how to give the people what they want!
– Written by Zack Gulinello
Rush from Mega Man II
If I ever have the opportunity to talk to Keiji Inafune, legendary game designer and creator of Mega Man, I would only have one question: What led to Rush? What led to taking the item system introduced in 1991’s Mega Man II and making them now all come out of a dog? Who said “Rock needs a submarine and a jet. Give him a dog?”
And not just a dog, but an adorable dog at that! Rush is the best. He is Rock’s best friend and HE CAN FLY. UNDERWATER.
Man, I love Rush. And, thanks to the introduction of Rush, we also get the second best dog, Bass’s wolf Treble, who is like Rush, but if Rock exclusively shopped at Hot Topic. But if I was to ever go into battle with eight evil robots, I would want Rush by my side.
– Written by Gary Wilson
Scratch from Baldur’s Gate 3
I stumbled upon a white dog in a forest, whining near a bloody corpse of a man. I noticed the dog has a nametag: Scratch. I cast a spell — Speak with Animals. Scratch was defensive, and told me to back off. Eventually, I calmed him down. Still, he said, “You need to go. My friend is injured. He needs rest.” Reader, I cried. Not in-game in Larian’s 2023 masterpiece Baldur’s Gate 3. I cried in real life on my couch in Kansas City.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains side quest spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]
This beautiful perfect dog, never abandoning his human even though the man had been murdered by bandits. In the game, you can choose to prove that the person is dead — but I didn’t want to hurt the dog’s feelings. I told Scratch that, if the man didn’t wake up, he could join me at my camp. I let him smell me so he could find his way.
The whole way back, I moped. I had my own dog by then in real life, and I was so sad at the idea of a good boy missing his person. I hoped Larian wouldn’t let me down and just make me leave this perfect dog out in the wilderness.
Days later, I was relieved when Scratch arrived at my camp. I immediately cast Speak with Animals again. Scratch acknowledged that, while his friend was gone, he would never forget him. I gave Scratch so many good scratchies. I bought him a ball and played fetch. Being able to pet Scratch at camp would’ve been enough for me, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to summon him in battles as a familiar. He is a very good boy, and no wonder Everyone Approves when he is invited to camp.
– Written by Amanda Tien
Sif from Dark Souls
History has continued to show that FromSoftware’s Dark Souls, released in 2011, is one of the most important games in history. Its mechanics, style, and structure continue to be copied and cloned almost 15 years later. But there is one element to the original Dark Souls that will never be replicated. Never duplicated. Never touched again.
And that is the beautiful tragedy of Great Grey Wolf Sif.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains story spoilers for Dark Souls.]
The lone sentinel, protecting the legacy of her doomed partner Artorias, Sif watches over Artorias’ final grave. Within the grave is Artorias’ Ring, a necessary item to delve into and unleash the Abyss that took him. Upon finding the grave, Sif will fight the player to the death to make sure the Abyss will never be seen again, as penance for failing to save Artorias from its corruption. This is Sif’s story in the base game: a beautiful but tragic soul, unable to escape her past failure.
But the DLC for Dark Souls makes what was already a Greek tragedy into a full blown waterworks. The DLC allows players to travel into the past, and face Artorias before his complete corruption. Upon defeating him, Artorias dies, honor intact, as the player takes up his mission to push back the Abyss. While traversing the darkness, you can come across a hidden room, and a smaller, younger Sif under a magical barrier. The barrier, made by Artorias to protect Sif from the Abyss. She never failed: Artorias just never let her fight. You break the barrier, and with a howl of thanks, she disappears.
If you do that before approaching Artorias’ grave in the present, the scene changes. Now, Sif leaps from Artorias’ grave, and recognizes you. She paws the ground, and leans her head forward in appreciation for protecting and saving Artorias. You reach out to touch her, but she pulls away. With a mournful howl, she lift’s Artorias’ greatsword and the fight begins anyway.
She still, after all, has to protect Artorias’ legacy. Even from you.
– Written by Gary Wilson
Torgal from Final Fantasy XVI
I am a certified Final Fantasy XVI hater. Can’t stand the game. The plot is boring, the world is empty (yet somehow miraculously padded with fetch quests), and the characters are soulless. Its story of slavery rings hollow when every single person is some shade of beige or pink. Even the combat — a decent highlight — can’t save Square Enix’s 2023 epic from its “we have Game of Thrones at home” type energy.
But Torgal, Clive’s childhood dog who has saved him from imprisonment, despair, death, and countless other fates? Torgal, whose magical abilities make him not just a cute companion — who you can pet, of course — but a ferocious warrior capable of rending any adversary who approaches your party to shreds? Torgal, who has never done anything wrong in his life and deserves the very best from this cruel, wretched world? Torgal, I love.
I have never finished Final Fantasy XVI — never had the heart or the patience for it — but Torgal makes me wish I would… That is, unless he makes some sort of heroic sacrifice in the late-game which, knock on wood, I sincerely hope he does not. If he sacrifices himself for milquetoast Clive of all people, I swear to Fenrir I will never touch another Yoshi-P game for as long as I live!
– Written by David Silbert
Wolf Link from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Sure, Wolf Link isn’t technically a dog. He’s also technically not even a wolf. He’s Link! But that kind of makes him a shoo-in on this list. How are you going to keep the Hero of Time in vaguely dog form off the best video game dogs chart? You can’t — he’s sick as hell!
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess has always been one of my favorites in the series for its dark setting, gritty feeling and more grounded vibe, a big shift for Nintendo in 2006. Being transformed into a wolf towards the beginning of the game feels dramatic and intense, but also somewhat limiting. Many critics say the mandatory wolf sections grow stale quickly and hunting down bugs doesn’t seem like the best use of this objectively badass form. For me personally, they’re some of the most enjoyable parts of the game, allowing exploration of areas you haven’t been to in a controlled manner that gives you time to breathe. The wolf sections are atmospheric, spooky and slow-paced, drawing the player into a new location through an extremely unique lens.
I could go on about the merit of the design choices, but at the end of the day, I’m a simple man. You combine Link with a wolf, give him earrings, and put him in the Twilight Realm, and you’ve got yourself a winner in my book.
– Written by Zack Gulinello
Honorable Mentions
Now, there are MANY good dogs, including our own, so we couldn’t leave this list without throwing them a metaphorical bone.
The Worst Best Video Game Dog: Mira from Silent Hill 2
I am a cat dad, so I elected to write about the lovable if not disturbed fur-ball named Mira. To meet Mira in Silent Hill 2 requires a bit of work and know-how involving a dog key, an observation room, and a video tape in the Lakeview Hotel.
[Editor’s Note: The rest of this blurb contains spoilers for an ending of Silent Hill 2.]
In the 2001 game’s infamous joke ending, Mira is responsible for protagonist James Sunderland’s journey through the titular town — orchestrating events from her computer monitors. The shiba inu dog has the nerve to greet James with licks straight to the face and a different credit sequence following the ending.
Mira goes on to appear in multiple Silent Hill games afterward as a beloved, non-canonical tormenter.
– Written by Clint Morrison, Jr.
Our Real Life Dogs
Many of us have very good dogs that keep us company while we game, and thus, they are some of the best video game dogs (to us, anyway):
- Amanda: My dog Indy (“we named the dog Indiana [Jones]” and he really does love treasure) is such a good boy. I often wake up early and play video games before going to work, and he loves to curl up next to me; I treasure our cozy coffee time together. When I was playing Alan Wake 2, I got so freaked out that I screamed — and he sprinted in from another room to check on me. After I assured him that I was okay, he stayed next to me until I was done to protect me. I feel profoundly lucky to have Indy in my life.
- Darcy: I love all animals, but for most of my life, I’ve only owned cats. So, three years ago, when there was suddenly a clumsy, wriggly puppy in our house, it was a bit of an adjustment – for me and the cat! There were some teething problems at first (both literally and figuratively), but now, I can’t imagine life without our dog, Poppy. She’s become a constant companion, whether she’s curling up next to us or trotting behind our feet as we move around the house. The joy and excitement she experiences over the little things, like popping out for a walk or friends coming over, make us enjoy them more, too. She can still be a menace, sometimes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Except for the cat; he just ignores her.
- David: This blurb is dedicated to Miss Bailey Valentine Johnson, my girlfriend Alyssa’s childhood Dachshund who graced us with 14 and a half quality years before passing this past July. Bailey was a very demure, very mindful lady — never a barker, never a biter, just a cuddler who liked to sniff and hunt when she knew food was around. Her whining was often incessant, and she had a nasty habit of peeing in places she shouldn’t have, but those qualities only make her absence — and the newfound quiet — all the more felt. Reading all of these other entries, both fictional and real, reminds me that we’re so much better off with dogs in our lives than without. Our “little family” (as Alyssa called us) was certainly better thanks to Bailey, and it’s all the smaller now without her. She is deeply missed.
- Gary: The day before my partner and I’s first date, she adopted a Louisiana street dog with the doofiest face and sweetest temperament. She brought him with her on our date, as we wandered through the woods of Southern New Hampshire, and has been witness to the growth and development of our relationship. He decided immediately that I was his dad, and decided to follow me around specifically. Now, he’s been with us for two years; he spends his days trying to grab street bread and napping on the couch. Perseus Bomberseus Ellnor aka “Percy”, the worst alarm clock in the world (he realizes humans are waking up so it’s cuddle time) and my favorite boy. Sorry, Zack.
- Zack: As a father of two human children, I no longer can joke about being just a “dog dad,” but I do often refer to our girl, Buttons as our first born. My wife and I got Buttons when we moved into an apartment together almost a decade ago and she’s been along for the ride every step of the way. She’s the smartest, most strong-willed dog I’ve ever had, but loyal as they come and (usually) a loving big sister to her new siblings, even when they grab her ears and climb all over her. At almost 11 years old, Buttons hasn’t lost a step and I often remind myself and others that some of the oldest dogs to ever live have also been Australian Cattle Dogs. The most famous of which was named Bluey (not that one) who held the Guinness World Record for a long time at over 29 years old! Check back in 2040, Buttons might outlive us all.
Two Very Good Accounts
I wanted to shout-out two delightful social media accounts: 1) Can You Pet the Dog which, since 2019, has answered the important question that all gamers have, and 2) We Rate Dogs (who helps save rescue dogs every day!) who know that they’re all good dogs and was thus honored in The Sims 4: Cats and Dogs for that dedication.
– Amanda Tien
More Good Dogs
We also wanted to give a quick nod to other dogs we thought about including on this list:
- Dog from Dungeons of Hinterberg
- Dog from Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley (while they’re separate games, the dogs are pretty similar!)
- EO the Biotic Varren from Mass Effect 3
- Pluto from Kingdom Hearts
- Salmon from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (of the “Bow-wow!” quest song fame)
Lastly, The Punished Backlog participates in the Microsoft BDS Boycott, so we have not written about any dogs from Microsoft games (such as Dogmeat from Fallout or Meeko from Skyrim, even though they are still good dogs).
Agree or disagree with our list? Know of other ones we missed? Let us know in the comments!
A video game outlet that blends quality words with inclusive voices. For business inquiries and review requests, reach us at press [at] punishedbacklog [dot] com.
Amanda Tien (she/her or they) loves video games where she can pet dogs, solve mysteries, punch bad guys, play as a cool female character, and/or have a good cry. She began writing with The Punished Backlog in 2020 and became an Editor in 2022. Amanda also does a lot of the site's graphic designs and podcast editing. Amanda's work has been published in Mothership, Unwinnable Monthly, Poets.org, Salt Hill Journal, and elsewhere. She holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Creative Writing from Columbia University. Learn more about her writing, visual art, teaching, graphic design, and marketing consulting at www.amandatien.com.
Clint is a writer and educator based out of Wisconsin. You can often find him writing about Middle English poetry, medieval games, or video games. He received his PhD in English from the Ohio State University. You can find his academic and public work at clintmorrisonjr.com.
Darcy loves anything fantasy, sci-fi, or adventure. Her dream is to finish her degree and write her own fantasy book, hopefully squeezing in a few games as she goes. She’s a big fan of games where she gets to fight with cool swords, befriend cute animals, and get lost in the story.
You can read more of her writing on her website: https://darcymaunder.com/
David is the founder of The Punished Backlog. He has a problem finishing games he starts.
Just beat: Yakuza 0, Sleeping Dogs.
Working on: Ys VIII.
Can't wait for: GTA VI.
Follow David on Twitter at @David_Silbert to keep up to date with all things The Punished Backlog.
Gary is a jack-of-all-trades video game enthusiast based in Boston, MA. A semi-professional fighting game player, even less professional Apex Legends player, and even less professional adult, he spends most of his time poking at strange indie gems and reading about the need for more diverse voices in gaming criticism. He invites anyone to recommend anything he's missed in the gaming world via Twitter or BlueSky, where he can found under the username @grtnpwrfl. When he isn't spending his time playing games, Gary is an avid New England Patriots fan and frequent hiker.
Huge video game, comic book, and anime fan. Spends way too much time watching things he doesn’t like. Hates Zack Snyder. Mains Falco.
Lauryl loves exploring storytelling in all its forms—books, movies, TV, and video games! She can be convinced to try any game once, but has a soft spot for indie puzzle platformers with distinctive art and accessible games that foster community. When not working her day job in K-12 educational publishing, she roams from cafe to cafe in search of perfect writing ambiance.
Sam has been playing video games since his earliest years and has been writing about them since 2016. He joined The Punished Backlog in 2017 and became an Editor in 2022. He’s a big fan of Nintendo games and complaining about The Last of Us Part II. You either agree wholeheartedly with his opinions or despise them. There is no in between.
A lifelong New Yorker, Sam views gaming as far more than a silly little pastime, and hopes through critical analysis and in-depth reviews to better understand the medium's artistic merit.
Bluesky: @sam-martinelli.bsky.social
Vaughn Hunt is writer who has loved video games since he picked up a controller. His parents wouldn't let him buy swords as a child (he wanted the real ones) so he started writing, reading, and playing video games about them. A historian at heart, you'll often find him deep into a rabbit hole of culture, comics, or music.
Zack has been hooked on games ever since his older brother taught him where to find the secret warp whistles in Mario Bros. 3. He has never felt more joy than when Yoshi congratulated him on getting 120 stars in Mario 64 or more sadness than when he played Kingdom Hearts 3 after waiting 14 years for it. Zack mails a letter to Nintendo every day asking them to bring back Chibi Robo and will gladly tell you all about why it’s one of the greatest games of all time. He was hoping that writing for the site would help him get through his backlog, but it actually just made it worse now that he’s hearing about so many more great hidden gems. Oops…
