#small community

What is Petz 5? Who created it? - A small history

A virtual desktop pet created by UbiSoft - Above is an example screenshot of my pet from Petz5 actually on my desktop, keep in mind the text can be removed during gameplay underneath "options."

The game was released in 2002

The idea was to put a virtual pet on your desktop to keep you company or to play with while you did whatever it was you were doing.

Basically a virtual pet time waster application (but worth it in my opinion and to the small community that is left)

Where can I download it?

I got you covered, I found quite a few safe download sites for older and unmade games from the early 2000s. The downloads are confirmed to be safe both on Reddit, Discord, and my own experience I did it from two different sites and no malware or other issues from downloading. I have placed to places below where you can find the download.

Old Games Download - Dogz 5 (but it's both Dogz & Catz 5)

Acid Trip - Has all the Petz downloads from the earliest to the latest (I've played all versions but 5 is my favorite and recommended if you're just getting started)

As an older game, why would I want to play it?

If you enjoy Neopets, Marapets, Gaia Online, etc this will provide you with a similar experience.

If you enjoyed Nintendogs, this is a pixel version - the look of the pets are also kind of comical now and I think you would get a kick out of it.

Imagine Tamagotchi's but in dog form and more things to do on your desktop screen, that is what this is.

A thriving small and active community - it used to be bigger back in the day but as things continued to advance more and more people stopped playing. When upgrading computers, our computers don't have a CD player anymore so it was hard to continue for those who wanted to as well. However, the program is now easily accessible for free online.

There is so much to do, quite a few mini games, and a lot of objects to interact with. You could easily spend hours playing.

What's up with the graphics? This looks horrible for a game in 2025.

Created with 8-bit graphics

At the time in 2002 these graphics were amazing!

If you decide to play this game, you need to keep in mind that the game is 22 years old, it's not going to have the same graphics as todays games.

I think a lot of the newer generation will love and get a kick out of it just because of how the dogs look. The extreme cartoony feel will make you laugh.

Conclusion:

This is THE original cozy game (in my opinion) the original virtual pet game. UbiSoft decided later on to go in a different direction abandoning the Petz series.

It might be old but it is still relevant for todays gamers, if you want something super cozy that will give you quite a few laughs this will provide.

The graphics, looks, and expressions of the dogs and cats will leave you entertained for hours.

You can breed your pets to create new ones and keep growing a family tree.

There is a small community who still play even today, there is a Discord server and Facebook links.

There are a good amount of mini games you can explore through your travels through different "areas/scenes" throughout the game.

There is always something to do and is a great time waster.

You can adopt soooo many pets!