For this list, we decided to focus on games where the player can control a dog, and the dog is the protagonist or at least a co-protagonist. So no Dogmeat from Fallout (though of course, we love him).
Also, since we focused on canines, you might find some wolves on this list, but we promise that the industry has focused more on playing as a dog than as a wolf. Point for the doggos! | © Minnesota Zoo
The reality is that Dead to Rights: Retribution isn't very good, being a bit janky in all its aspects, with some cringe-worthy animations that are very typical of the 2010s. And although Jack is the protagonist, his dog Shadow is just as important in the plot, and in fact, a large part of the gameplay focuses on controlling the doggo, following some rather brutal commands... | © Volatile Games
Someone out there saw those images where they edit dogs playing to add weapons, and thought of making a game out of it. That's what Metal Dogs is about! Play with your favorite dog, equip it with more machine guns and weapons than a Digimon, and fight against waves of tanks, monsters, and other animals with cannons on top. | © 24Frame, Inc.
Dog's Life is one of those rare PlayStation 2 games from a time when they were experimenting with all kinds of strange ideas. And I have to add it to the list because, despite the mixed reactions, it might be the title that focuses the most on the daily life of a regular dog in the modern world, more than any other on this list. It even has smellovision! | © Frontier Developments
Although it's a small indie title, it deserves more recognition than it has received because Russian Subway Dogs is a platform game with a visual and character design that is as funny as it is strangely solid. The title says it all: You are a dog that has to survive in the Russian subway, and honestly, that's exactly how I imagine it would be... | © Spooky Squid Games Inc.
Although somewhat adorable and perhaps too easy for veteran gamers, The Dog Island presents itself just as it is: a game for children and dog lovers. But beyond its cute look, it’s actually a full-on RPG with turn-based combat, set on an island with all kinds of pups. And it gets points on this list for letting you create your own doggo! | © Yuke's
During that transition between the PS2 and PS3, we also had that strange era of experimental games from Japan that rarely made it to the West, and Tokyo Jungle is one of those cult titles. While you play with various animals, it mainly focuses on a group of dogs, particularly Pomeranians, surviving in a devastated, post-apocalyptic Tokyo. | © PlayStation C.A.M.P.
I have to admit, I love those games where you are a spirit of the forest, and you have to go from area to area fixing the natural imbalance. That's what Lost Ember is about, where this time, the spirit takes the form of a wolf. But the real reason it's on our list is because of how beautiful this game is, taking the art of polygons to a new level of complexity. | © Mooneye Studios
Although Montaro is a simple and straightforward game, the little it does, it does brilliantly. Just look at those reviews! It's a small, adorable platform game where you play as a little dog. What more could you ask for? Different costumes to dress up this doggo? You've got it! And extra points for being an absurdly cheap game. | © 02GAMES
There is no more realistic simulator of a wolf's life than WolfQuest, and you know what? It's brilliant! This game puts us in the realistic scenario of a wolf that has to survive in a nature reserve, protecting its young pups from the many predators out there. Definitely one of the best simulators you'll see, not just related to wolves, but in general. | © Minnesota Zoo
We all have a friend with a dog who, as much as we love them... they're unbearable. Some behave so badly that they're capable of destroying your house in the 10 minutes you went out to buy milk at the corner store. Doronko Wanko puts us in the shoes of that dog, with the goal of dirtying and devastating your house as much as you can. | © Phoenixx Inc.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a gem among indie games, with many developers from major titles working on this work of art (in this case, quite literally). You play as a little dog with a big imagination in a coloring book, where you have to use your brush skills to solve puzzles and add a bit of color to this monochromatic world. | © Finji
The entire Sam & Max series is great, and if you have to start somewhere, begin with the first season. Think this point-and-click is too old? Terrible excuse, considering the 2020 remake is incredible. With a hilarious script, help our detective dog and his psychopathic rabbit sidekick to, quite literally, save the world. | © Skunkape Games
PaRappa The Rapper is one of those cult games that not many people know about, but those few who had the pleasure and opportunity to play the original remember it and love it passionately. And we even have a 2017 remake! Though it's short, this rapping dog and his musical journey will win your heart. | © Sony Interactive Entertainment
Did you think I was going to forget about The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess? Not at all! The main Zelda title for the GameCube and Wii brings us a Link who can transform into a wolf, a form so crucial to the story that it ends up being half of the gameplay. Beyond that, it introduced us to memorable characters like Midna, who might be the best companion our protagonist has had so far. | © Nintendo
And our number one is another title from 2006 (what a great year for dogs!), and of course, it has to be Okami. This is the true epic, fantasy-filled adventure we want when playing as a dog. And the art of this game! To this day, it's been really hard to replicate anything similar, even with the remake. If you’re looking to bring a true masterpiece of video games to your inner doggo, look no further than Okami. | © Clover Studio
It's a classic trope in the world of entertainment, and particularly in video games, that dogs often serve as companions to the protagonist. And they tend to be some of the best NPCs you'll find! But wouldn't you love to be man's best friend yourself? It's time for dogs to stop being recruitable companions or background extras! That's why we've decided to create a list of our favorite games where you play as a dog (or wolf)!
