VIVA PINATA

Why it should've sucked: So many reasons. Viva Pinata was made for kids, on a console made for bloodthirsty teenagers. The company that created the game - Rare, once a darling of the industry - had developed a recent track record of uninspired flops. The story and characters were tied to a horrible, horrible television show, starring a horse that wears sunglasses and a bear that surfs. Oh, and did we mention the whole thing is about piñatas? And gardening? Yeah.

Why it doesn't: The gameplay is fun. Damn fun. No amount of negative baggage can bury that basic truth. Viva Pinata steals the best elements of Pokemon (species collection), Animal Crossing (town maintenance) and The Sims (genetic experimentation), but combines them into something entirely unique and magical. Of course, shutting up those stupid talking piñatas didn't hurt either.