Rare has admitted that it almost made DS title Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise compatible with its older sibling Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise on Microsoft's Xbox 360.

As we discussed in our preview last week, the forthcoming 360 game supports the Xbox Live Vision camera by allowing players to scan barcodes that will unlock additional pinatas in the game.

This feature will also work with digital screens such as those found built into iPods or Zunes. And portable games consoles, like the Nintendo DS. So - hypothetically speaking - a Viva Pinata DS game *could* contain codes that would unlock stuff in the game on the 360.

Those hoping for a DS/360 crossover might be disappointed to know that the feature didn't make the final cut of the portable game though. "We got it to work, but it was too late in the development cycle," Trouble in Paradise designer Justin Cook told MTV.

"If only they'd thought of it sooner. It's one of those things where you just kick yourself."

Courtesy of CVG.

May 21, 2008