Yes, it's a virtual pet -- three virtual pets, actually, since the player names, raises, and trains three realtime 3D pooches. They'll respond to voice input through the DS microphone (with which you can assign them their own names), and go about their doggish business around the clock while the DS is in its sleep mode. If two sets of Nintendogs are in close proximity, furthermore, they'll passively communicate through the handheld's wireless hardware unbeknownst to either owner.