Doko Demo Issyo

About

Doko Demo Issyo is a quirky simulation game where you live with and interact with five distinct characters called Pokepi in a cozy Japanese apartment. Each Pokepi responds to words and phrases you teach them, asking questions and reacting based on your input. The gameplay loops around simple conversations, feeding them, playing games, and managing their moods. The setting is minimal but lived-in, with tatami mats, a small kitchen, and a radio adding charm. Your choices shape relationships, though the interactions are more about routine than deep storytelling. The game’s standout feature is its reliance on the PocketStation, a handheld device bundled with many copies. This let players take Pokepi on the go, maintaining progress between sessions. The hardware tie-in was so effective it drove PocketStation sales in Japan. While the PlayStation and Vita ports drop the handheld requirement, the original’s blend of portability and casual simulation remains niche. With a focus on low-stakes companionship, it’s a forgotten oddity for fans of slow-paced digital pets.

Storyline

Doko Demo Issyo is often described as a Virtual Pet game, but unlike many games of that genre, Doko Demo Issyo includes a communication element. When the game is started, the player inputs their name, gender, blood type and birthday and chooses one of the five Pokepi to live and play with. The setting of the game is a small one bedroom Japanese apartment. It contains various comfort items like a refrigerator and a television set with a game console connected. The floor of the room is covered with Tatami mats, and the Pokepi will sleep on them when they are tired. There are two other rooms of the apartment, a small restroom and a bathroom. There is a radio that they will sometimes listen to too.