Welcome to the video game pet shop
Real-life pets are great, sure. They lower your blood pressure (apparently... must be while you're not looking), are great companions and do countless YouTube-worthy things to keep us entertained. But what if video game characters could be pets instead? I don't know about you, but I'd opt for that any day.
Yoshi (from Super Mario World)
Everybody loves a Yoshi! Available in a selection of colours, Yoshis are cheerful, friendly and dedicated pets. They can use their long tongues to reach things for you, although they do have a habit of swallowing things and turning them into eggs. Needless to say, Yoshis should be kept away from infants and other small pets.
Daxter (from Jak & Daxter)
Ottsels are a cross between an otter and a weasel, and as the weasel family is already well-established as a household pet in the shape of ferrets, an ottsel isn't such a strange choice for a pet. Daxter here is unique, however, in that he can communicate by talking. More developed than merely repeating words parrot-fashion, you'll enjoy his wisecracks, especially at parties.
Loco Rocos (from Loco Roco)
Loco Rocos will bring a constant, joyous smile to your face. They're just so cute! Squishy, rolly, bouncy... there's no need to worry about your youngest children accidentally squashing one, as they just bounce right back into shape. Just make sure you supervise your children during play, however. They look edible and but certainly are not!
Chao (from Sonic Adventure)
Chao are perfect pets. They're endlessly entertaining to watch as they run, swim and sometimes flap about with tiny wings. They eat fruit and nuts (which are cheap to buy), plus you can alter their physical appearance by introducing them to other animals. As an added bonus, Chao can be bought while still in their eggs allowing you to be their parent from birth.
Fish (from Animal Crossing)
Animal Crossing fish are very special. You can keep them in your house indefinitely without ever feeding them or cleaning the tank. They are also great gifts. In fact, give someone a goldfish and they might just give you a flatscreen TV in return. Cute, varied and totally collectible, Animal Crossing fish are literally the perfect pets.
Navi (from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)
Navi is a beautiful fairy that doubles as a lamp when the room is dark. She is a dedicated companion. Indeed, if a dog is man's best friend, Navi is an elf's. This pet's distinctive call can be irritating for the human ear, especially if heard several times in quick succession. Even so, a Navi is something any pet owner would be proud to own.
Mudcrab (from Skyrim)
Mudcrabs may be commonplace in some regions, but they're quite the exotic pet to keep in this country. They come in various sizes and can be aggressive towards humans if you disturb them. Some people like to fill their tanks with mud to emulate their natural environment, but doing so means you'll rarely get to see your mudcrab in the open. Oh, and accessories are available, such as a top hat and monacle combination.
Which one would you buy?
There's something to be said for all of these game characters in terms of their suitability for being a household pet. But which one would you choose? Or maybe there's another character you would rather have on a leash walking smartly by your heel? Let the world know in the comments.
