GamesRadar - Viva Pinata

Rare: We've been battling against the Xbox demographic (News)

Aug 25, 2009

Rare was acquired by Microsoft back in 2002 and has been at the heart of the platform holder's internal development, but only now, with the upcoming launch of Natal, does the developer feel it and Microsoft are on the same page.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com about Natal prior to gamescom, Rare design director George Andreas explained just why the motion sensing technology is such a big deal.

If video games were... candy bars? (Feature)

Aug 18, 2009

Sometimes, games are so good we say they're 'good enough to eat'. That's usually not strictly true, of course - DVDs, Blu-Ray discs and the human mouth do not mix. But what if games were turned into candy bars? Now there's an idea.

If our Photoshop attempts are anything to go by, there's a huge market of untapped potential just waiting for some entrepreneur to take a lucrative bite. Just try not to dribble on the keyboard, ...

First 'Games on Demand' titles launch (News)

Aug 7, 2009

Console Monster writes: "The first titles have launched for the Xbox 360 Games on Demand. The seven titles are now available to Xbox Live members that were fortunate enough to obtain a place in the Preview Program. What's interesting about the titles is the game's pricing, which is listed in pound and pence, rather than in Microsoft Points. The titles currently available are as follows:

Call of Duty 2 - £19.99
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - £19.99
Need for Speed Carbon - £19.99
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga - £19.99
Mass Effect - £19.99
Viva Piñata - £19.99
Assassin's Creed - £19.99

The remaining Games on Demand titles, revealed yesterday, will be rolled out over the next few days, before the new dashboard update is available to all Xbox Live users on the 11th August..."

Japan's Games On Demand Are Different To Yours (News)

Aug 6, 2009

Kotaku:

Here's the list, which eschews games like Fable and Assassin's Creed in favour of some games with a more...Japanese fare.

Idolmaster
Idolmaster Live 4 U
Viva Pinata
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Perfect Dark Zero
Bullet Witch
Fight Night: Round 3
Rainbow Six: Vegas

Each of those games will go for ¥2000 (USD$21), which might be a challenge for Microsoft, since you can find some of those games used for under ¥1000 (USD$10). Then again, others will be bargains!

As with everywhere else, Games on Demand will launch in Japan on August 11.

Sumthing Else Music Works announces release of Viva Piñata Original Soundtrack (News)

Jul 22, 2009

Original Music Composed by Grant Kirkhope and Performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Xbox 360 used in lessons (News)

Jun 27, 2009

BeefJack writes: "But only if you are lucky enough to go to school in Waikato, New Zealand.

In three schools in this area, Microsoft are running an initiative that uses Viva Pinata to teach skills including group collaboration and problem solving. It is not just to do with playing games however, as in addition to being "forced" to play Viva Pinata, pupils also have to do internet research and blog about their experiences."

Games invade Google Street View (Feature)

Jun 25, 2009

Have you ever seen Google Street View in action? It's incredible, and already coming up with some amazing images... it's a wonder the world survived without it. But we've spotted some more familiar faces in the passers by.

Can you spot them too?

...

The secretly sinister storylines of your favourite games (Feature)

Jun 12, 2009

You never knew they were so wrong... ...

Buy 2 Select Xbox 360 Platinum Hits, Get 1 Free at Buy.com (News)

May 14, 2009

earvcunanan of Cheap Ass Gamer writes:

"Ending, 5/17, Buy.com has a buy 2 select Xbox 360 Platinum Hits, get 1 free promotion which includes free shipping."

These games are not what you think they are (Feature)

Feb 18, 2009

Why Sonic isn't a platformer and Final Fantasy isn't an RPG at all. ...

The very best and worst of games merchandise (Feature)

Jan 8, 2009

We collect a lot of gaming merchandise at GamesRadar. While we buy some of it ourselves, one of the perks of working in the industry is that a week rarely goes by without some new item of promotional gaming paraphernalia finding its way to our desks. And generally it's a pretty even mix of awesome and crap ...

Pinatas Go To The Movies (News)

Dec 18, 2008

GiantBomb "We're suckers for Viva Piñata around here. So sue us.

Rare's community manager George Kelion posted a nice little holiday gift over on the NeoGAF forums: A set of desktop backgrounds featuring piñatas in various scenes from classic film. They can be yours for the low, low price of...well, just click on them below."

Rare wishes everyone a fun-filled 2009 (News)

Dec 11, 2008

MundoRare writes: "No Holiday Season is complete without the traditional Rare Xmas Greeting, and this year isn't an exception! [...] The message from Rare coming along with this spiffy greeting card goes as follows: 'We wish everyone a very merry Xmas, a happy New Year and look forward to a fun-filled 2009 :)' "

The Banjo universe meets Piñata gardens (News)

Dec 10, 2008

MundoRare writes: "After the amazing Viva Piñata cards from the Tokyo Game Show or the ones hinting at a new Killer Instinct, it's time for the Banjo universe to meet the paper maché world!

Some of the classical Banjo characters also got their own piñatesque representation in Piñata Island thanks to the exclusive cards released by Rare on three of the main Rare fansites, followed by another bunch of three at Rare's own online spot later this week."

TalkRadar 30 – co-starring Jeff Gerstmann! (Feature)

Dec 5, 2008

In case you missed TalkRadar 28 (and shame on you if you did), we couldn’t fathom why Giant Bomb awarded MK vs DCU a five star rating (their highest score). That led to forumites on both sites to start a-feudin’ an’ a-fussin’ about integrity and other such nonsense, so we simply called Jeff Gerstmann up and now you can hear the results of said conversation. Hint: we’re bitter enemies now. ...

Could Viva Piñata have inspired new Pixar project? (News)

Nov 6, 2008

Back in April this year, Disney Pictures announced like a zillion movies coming from all their divisions during the next four years. [...] The last of them, currently scheduled for a 2012 release, was called Newt.

Some of you may have instantly thought of Viva Piñata's utterly beautiful newtgats after reading that. [...] However, the distance between Rare's and Pixar's newts narrows if we know that both are meant to perpetuate their breed.

We were this close to a cross console game (News)

Aug 27, 2008

Recent claims indicate that Rare, the development team behind the Banjo and Viva pinata games, allmost bought us a horrible cross console hybrid... well nearly...

Rare to answer your Trouble in Paradise questions next week (News)

Aug 18, 2008

Following the new tradition of celebrating community events to implicate all the fans in their upcoming releases, Rare have decided to carry out a new live chat with representatives of all the main fansites on August 28th. The Viva Piñata team will answer all the questions about the third Rare title to hit the stores this Fall.

No Rare IP is dead suggests developer (News)

Aug 8, 2008

Speaking to VideoGamer.com at Develop last week, Rare senior software engineer Nick Burton, an employee at Rare for over 10 years, has revealed that when talking about the studios' owned intellectual property "there's a good chance of seeing any of it again".

"You might see Killer Instinct, you might see Battletoads. Or as I said the other month Killer Instinct meets Battletoads in the GoldenEye universe!" joked Burton.

The titles the Microsoft owned studio is currently working on is something that's constantly debated on internet forums, and speculation isn't helped by Rare's constant teasing. Do you remember the Rare 2007 Christmas card that hinted at a new Killer Instinct? Burton was all too happy to reveal the story behind the card.

"You'll probably have to rephrase this, we're just fu!$ing with you!" he joked. "Have you not noticed a theme in our Christmas cards? We do it every year! It's just sometimes people don't notice it because it's that subtle.

"Ryan (Stevenson, senior concept artist), when he was doing it said, oh I'm putting Killer Instinct in that, I am. The conversation was, put Battletoads in as well! Or Snake Rattle and Roll, come on do it! We have a reputation for teasing. Sometimes we do it for good reasons and other times it upsets people. We're English, we're allowed to!"

Burton wouldn't be drawn on confirming the existence of a new Killer Instinct title, but say that "you could pick anything in our back catalogue and then turn it into something new".

Rare: Our 360 titles could have GoldenEye effect (News)

Aug 7, 2008

Speaking to VideoGamer.com Rare senior software engineer Nick Burton has revealed that he believes the studio's 360 titles could well be remembered by today's gamers in the same way a generation looks back on N64 classic GoldenEye.

When asked if Rare is releasing games now that will have a similar effect on these people as older games did with an older generation of gamers, Burton was confident that they would.

"I think that already happened," stated Burton. "It's funny when you get fan mail. We do. We get quite a bit. Some for old stuff, quite a lot for new stuff.

"Whether we have as many of them or more, you'll have to ask me in 10 years time. But then again the market's much bigger, it's much more diverse, there's many more games."

When asked directly if the games Rare is putting out on the Xbox 360 could be this generation's GoldenEye experience, Burton replied: "Could be, yeah. It would be a different experience from GoldenEye without a doubt."

Viva Pinata - Gory death in cutesy game (Video)

Jun 2, 2008

Living pinatas ... yes, pinatas. And they're alive. But with the power of a TV show behind it, could everybody crave candy this holiday?

Nintendo DS - Xbox 360 Connectivity Considered For 'Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise' (News)

May 20, 2008

MTV Multiplayer writes:

What would you say about the unholy marriage of the Nintendo DS and Xbox 360?

The developers at Microsoft's Rare games studio tested it and one of them told me that they've gotten it to work.

But you won't be playing it.

Here's whyÂ¿

Gears, Forza 2, Viva Piñata become UK Classics (News)

Apr 24, 2008

In the UK, beginning May 16, gamers will be able to pick-up a trio of titles marked down and packaged as Xbox 360 Classics. Late last week Microsoft announced plans to add Gears of War, Forza Motorsport 2 and Viva Piñata to their classic line-up, the PAL region equivalent of the Platinum Hits brand in North America.

Top 7... Cutesy Characters We Want to Beat the Crap Out of (Feature)

Apr 21, 2008

Admit it - you’ve thought about choking quite a few videogame characters to death. Whether it’s an annoying sidekick or a particularly tough boss, there’s no denying that the urge to bust somebody in the mush hasn’t seized you. There are a lot of deserving punks we could put into this article - but the most aggravating offenses come from the cutest characters. Those fluffy types just there to make a game more ...

Microsoft Holds Family Christmas Xbox 360 Event in Japan (News)

Dec 23, 2007

Microsoft is extending their family friendly stance to Japan. On December 15, they held a Merry Christmas event at Tokyo Bay. Kids could meet the characters from Viva Piñata and try out a handful of CERO A video games like Beautiful Katamari. Microsoft is trying to capture another niche. This strategy worked well for CERO Z games, which are starting to pick up in Japan. (Contributor's Notes: CERO is the rating system in Japan. CERO A is for all. CERO Z is for ages 18 and up only.)

However, Microsoft faces a problem when it comes to attracting families. Many multiplatform kid's games like Cars never get an Xbox 360 release in Japan. THQ tends to only support the Wii and PlayStation when it comes to Disney games and few Japanese developers are making child friendly exclusives.

Words: Spencer, Siliconera (December 19th, 2007)
Photos: Xbox.com Japan

Leaked: NIMF's Annual Video Game Report Card (News)

Dec 4, 2007

Kotaku's Brian Crecente has a leaked copy of the National Institute on Media and the Family's annual Media Wise Video Game Report Card, set to be officially released tomorrow. This year's report card is broken into five parts:

Â¿ The MediaWise Video Game Report Card
Â¿ The Buying Guide
Â¿ The ESRB Rating System and Ratings Education Efforts
Â¿ The Retailer Ratings Education and Enforcement Surveys
Â¿ Annual MediaWise-Harris Interactive Poll of Kids and Parents

Kotaku gives a quick summary for each part.

Viva Pinata (Screenshots)

Nov 20, 2007

Viva Piñata PC dated (News)

Nov 1, 2007

Microsoft has announced that Viva Piñata will be released on PC on 16th November, the same day with Viva Piñata: Party Animals for Xbox 360. Viva Piñata will be part of "Games for Windows", which means that - like its Xbox 360 counterpart - the PC version will have 1000 GamerPoints to unlock.

Viva Piñata for Windows this Holiday (News)

Oct 29, 2007

Viva Piñata is a window to fantastical world full of wild-roaming Piñata. Players choose from hundreds of elements to customize heir world in order to attract piñatas, foster good relationships among the 60+ piñata, and navigate the conflicts and dangers that threaten to break them open.

Available 11.06.2007

Rare Questions Microsoft's Marketing of Viva Piñata (News)

Oct 15, 2007

Viva Piñata developer Rare has questioned why its owner Microsoft decided to back Gears of War with such a high-profile marketing campaign, which left its own new franchise in the shadows last Christmas.

Software engineer James Thomas feels that the new family-friendly IP lost out to Epic's Gears of War, which enjoyed a much bigger marketing budget from Microsoft, helping it top the charts all over the world.

MS answers Sony 40 GB PS3 New Xbox 360 Bundles (News)

Oct 6, 2007

So there is to be allegedly the following offers:those already well-known Xbox 360 Arcade core version is introduced on 03 November 2007 and replaces the present core version. Core with HDMI port, 256 memory card, Wireless Controllers, 1 year Xbox LIVE ONE and the five Arcade games boom boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, contained of UN, and pac-man, at the price of 279,99.

The Xbox 360 Premium VALUE luggage is to cost 349 and likewise on 03 November 2007 appear. In it a Xbox 360 Premium and the two plays Forza 2 and Viva Pinata is contained. (allegedly some dealers think over it after the plays for separating and to sell the console alone for 300 euro).

Activision and Microsoft bring a Call of Duty 4 Bundle. The price for it is to amount to 385 and to contain apart from the play a Xbox 360 Premium with wireless Controllers and HDMI connection. Also this package will appear allegedly at the beginning of November.

Next for Microsoft Xbox: winning casual gamers (News)

Sep 26, 2007

Reuters' Scott Hillis reports:

Microsoft has cemented its reputation among hardcore gamers with the launch of "Halo 3," but it is still struggling to attract the mass market audience that has flocked to the Nintendo Wii.

Deutsche Bank analyst Todd Raker believes that stronger-than-expected demand for 'Halo 3' could drive Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division EDD to profitability. But Microsoft must attract casual customers as well if the Xbox 360 is going to be a living-room fixture.

So far Microsoft's attempts to attract casual audience have met with mixed results. A lot of the problem is image; the huge buzz around games like "Halo 3" obscures the fact that Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade has about 100 casual games available for download. Baker expects Microsoft to ramp up marketing aimed at casual gamers in another month or so.

Quartermann: Viva Pinata to Wii, No BioShock PS3? (News)

Sep 24, 2007

The latest issue of EGM contains some tasty Quartermann rumors. With Viva Pinata already heading to the Nintendo DS and the continued success of mini-game compilations on Wii, doesn't it make sense Viva Pinata: Party Animals should show up on Wii? Q seems to think so, but it doesn't seem like it'll be hitting day-an-date this Fall.

Also, those rumors of BioShock coming to the PlayStation 3? Scrap 'em; apparently, the incredible success of 2K Games' new IP on Xbox 360 (and PC) means Microsoft has snatched the rights to keep Rapture on their hardware. The additional content originally planned for the better-late-than-never PS3 version may show up in a Game of the Year edition or downloadable content on Xbox Live.

Man gets girl through Viva Pinata (News)

Sep 13, 2007

A dedicated Viva Pinata player in Jacksonville, Florida concocted a plan to get his girl by getting her hooked on the Xbox 360 and VP. "I just bought a 360 and VP for the sole reason of getting my girl addicted to VP and on her own system," he boasts.

But it actually worked. "Well, I decided to propose to her, so I sent the only diamond my digger has ever found, with a note attached asking her to marry me. When she got it (across the room on the other TV) she giggled and said I was silly. Then I pulled out the real deal, got on a knee and started getting cried upon. She said yes, so next spring we are getting married!"

Brings a tear to your eye doesn't it, the fact that they must have two TVs and 360 consoles in the same room? Imagine the LAN possibilities..

Viva Pinata: The real-life romance dance (News)

Sep 13, 2007

Sept 13, 2007 Seems like it's not just Viva Pinata's colourful residents that are inclined to a bit of sweet, music-making romance - a Florida-based gamer has proposed to his girlfriend using Pinata Island's postal service. The love-struck gamer (gamer tag 'Procrasturbate') selflessly sent the lady of his dreams the only diamond he'd ever procured from his Pinata patch, along with the message "Will you marry me?" inside one of Fanny Franker's postal crates. As Procrasturbate explains on the ...

Why Viva Pinata is perfect for DS (Feature)

Jul 31, 2007

We love Viva Pinata at GamesRadar towers. It's just so serene, so adorable, so bright. But Viva Pinata's lack of success clearly highlights the tastes of the majority of 360 owners - alongside such manfests as GRAW2 and Gears of War, this light hearted, innocent game stuck out like a sore thumb at a fingers-only party. Shame on the ignorant, etc. So, despite the troubles, we're excited to hear that Viva Pinata lives on. It'll be gracing Nintendo's handheld at some unconfirmed point in the ...

Viva Pinata announced for DS (News)

Jul 30, 2007

Kotaku.com writes:
"Who wants Viva Pinata on the DS? Microsoft do. Announced at Comic Con yesterday, Viva Pinata DS will see the original game concept (ie not the party game) ported over to the DS, with the main changes a new top-down perspective and what I'd guess is an improved control scheme. The news is hardly surprising, what with Shane Kim's excessive hint-dropping a few months back, but hey. Best of luck to everyone involved. Viva Pinata was a good idea let down by the fact its target audience don't own 360s. They do own a DS, so maybe second time's a charm."

Xbox 360's Crackdown wins award for innovation (News)

Jul 26, 2007

Celebrations all round at the home of fellow Dundonian coders Real Time Worlds today. Their first exclusive title for Xbox 360 yesterday won the top award for innovation at the Develop Conference currently being held in Brighton, UK.Designed by coding legend David Jones, creator of Lemmings, Blood Money and the original GTA - Crackdown arrived[...]

All the Write Moves (Feature)

Jul 20, 2007

In 1983 you, like us, would have played a Commodore 64. It was also the year you could have picked up a copy of 2000AD in the UK, to read it for Skizz written by a young Alan Moore. Twenty-five years later, the worlds of comics and games have definitively separated in terms of experience - so why do we see so many of our favorite comic creator names appearing in the credits of certain games? Rebellion bought 2000AD and Judge Dredd Magazine, Top Cow is half-owned by Eidos and Rockstars marketers ...

Grand Theft Pinata - Filled with guns! 06-27-07 (Video)

Jun 27, 2007

Living pinatas ... yes, pinatas. And they're alive. But with the power of a TV show behind it, could everybody crave candy this holiday?

Viva Pinata Demo on XBLM (News)

May 15, 2007

There is a new Viva Pinata demo available to download on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Better late than never?

Price: Free

Availability: Available to Xbox Live Gold members in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States

Dash Details: Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence] Want to see what happens when a Mousemallow meets a Syrupent? Want to try your hand at raising your own Sparrowmint? Now is your chance to download the demo for Viva Piñata, the critically acclaimed, award-winning game from Rare and Microsoft Game Studios.

Viva Piñata Sequel Likely (News)

Feb 20, 2007

Lots of interesting info has been gleaned from Shane Kim's (Microsoft Corporate Vice President) open and frank words last week. However in all of the noise about Microsoft cuddling up to Nintendo, the implications of Live coming to Games for Windows and the rumors about a new black 120GB Xbox 360 model coming out to play, a very promising scrap of info has somehow managed to slip by quietly. And what is this salacious detail? It is the muted confirmation that a Viva Piñata sequel is a near certainty.

Viva Piñata is for girls - Gates (News)

Feb 6, 2007

Mincing mega geek Bill Gates has committed the ultimate faux pas - he's told Charlie Rose that Viva Piñata is for girls.

Discussing new genres, he said: "We have a thing called Viva Piñata that's for young girls, where you're tending a garden and these animals come along..."

He then goes on to waffle about how Xbox 360's power and connectivity allow you to "conceptualise" game ideas better than ever before.

So anyway, Gates clearly doesn't know much about Viva Piñata...

New SOCOM, Katamari and Viva Piñata in January EGM Rumors (News)

Dec 12, 2006

In the upcoming issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, the rumors section has news on a bunch of new SOCOM, Katamari Damacy and Viva Piñata titles coming out as well as Microsoft's plan for continued domination.

* Sticky Balls - New Katamari for Wii, PS3 and Xbox Live arcade.

* Turning War Around - Microsoft is crafting a brilliant plan to flip flop Gears and Halo every year, so expect Gears of War 2 in 2008 and a new Halo game in 2009.

* Count the COMs - three new SOCOM games are in the works. One on PSP and two on PS3.

* Mii Crossing - Mii's will be your avatar in the next Animal Crossing. All the shirts and accessories you collect will cross over to other games.

* Hudsun is releasing a TG16 pack with 3D remakes of Bonk, Adventure Island, and Super Star Soldier for the PS2.

* Rare is working on a Viva Pinata Kart racing game.

* NFL may drop EA once it's contract expires in a few years.

I always wonder why game companies continue to turn any type of successful franchise into a cart game but they must sell if the trend continues. Oh, before I forget, I hope the NFL drops EA like a bad habit if they don't step up their next gen efforts with Madden in the upcoming years.

Official Xbox Magazine rates new Xbox 360 games (News)

Dec 8, 2006

In their latest edition, the Official Xbox Magazine has again rated all new Xbox 360 game that have been released last month. Sonic the Hedgehoc is the only game that scores below average, the other rates are pretty good.

The full list:

Lost Planet (Xbox 360, Capcom): 8,0
Star Trek Legacy (Xbox 360, Bethesda): 8,0
Sonic The Hedgehog (Xbox 360, Sega): 4,5
DOA Xtreme 2 (Xbox 360, Tecmo): 6,5
Viva Pinata (Xbox 360, Microsoft): 8,5
Phantasy Star Universe (Xbox 360, Sega): 6,5
Call of Duty 3 (Xbox 360/Xbox, Activision): 8,0
Superman Returns (Xbox 360, EA): 6,5
Tony Hawks Project 8 (Xbox 360, Activision): 7,5
College Hoops 2K7 (Xbox 360, 2K Sports): 9,0
Roboblitz (Xbox 360 XLA, Microsoft): 8,5
Small Arms (Xbox 360 XLA, Gastronaut Studios): 7,5
Contra (Xbox 360 XLA, Konami): 6,5
Novadrome (Xbox 360 XLA, Stainless Games): 7,0
Defender (Xbox 360 XLA, Midway): 6,5

Viva Pinata Coins Landing On Ebay (News)

Dec 6, 2006

Yesterday we reported, That a man was selling Pinata From Viva Pinata on ebay and today he is looking to cash in some more. I was actually checking his Pinata auctions when I noticed he has just put up a auction for the transfer of 100,000 coins from the game. The starting bid is the same as the price for the pinata 9.99 to bid and 14.99 to secure your coins. As mentioned before this defeats the purpose of the game and I encourage you not to buy this.

Holiday Buyer's Guide 2006 - Xbox 360 (Feature)

Dec 5, 2006

Now is the perfect time to be playing Xbox 360. First to enter the next generation race last holiday season, Microsoft's console has had an entire year to work out the kinks... and it shows. The future of gaming is in community and the 360's online neighborhood is currently the gold standard - hopping on and finding others to engage in friendly cooperation or fierce competition is a breeze. If you prefer playing with high tech gadgets, cool stuff like the Live Vision camera (put yourself in ...

Pinata's Running Wild On Ebay (News)

Dec 4, 2006

Pinata's On Ebay! That's right Pinata's from the Game Viva Pinata have finally made there way to the world of Ebay. A guy has put over 11 of his Pinata's on Ebay over a number of different auctions. If you are really having trouble unlocking these pinata's then you can get your hands on for a price of $10.00 or to make sure some other idiot doesn't out bid you you can Buy It Now for a price of $15.00.

Console Monster Podcast - Episode One (News)

Nov 26, 2006

Here is the very first Console Monster Podcast hosted by James Woodcock. Featured in our first edition is an introduction with Anthony Barker who informs us about the features of 360Monster and what we can expect in the future with the new network sites PS3Monster and WiiMonster. The rest of the podcast focuses on a conversational style debate with James Woodcock, Anthony Barker and Barrie Rogers who is the 360monster.com lead editor. This podcast features:

- Gears of War first impressions
- Viva Pinata expectations
- Gears of War 8 players online enough?
- Call of Duty 3 first impressions
- Halo 2 removed from most played top spot by Gears of War
- Rainbow Six Vegas single player and multiplayer demo impressions
- Xbox 360 advertisement blitz in the United Kingdom
- Halo 3 public multiplayer beta and new Halo 2 maps
- New Xbox Live Arcade titles
- Retro gaming headache?
- Sony PlayStation 3 launch impressions and press
- Nintendo Wii launch impressions and press
- Red Steel mediocre review score on Gamespot

Length: 51 Mins
File size: 18 MB

Xbox 360: The One Year Retrospective (News)

Nov 24, 2006

One year after its rushed launch -- replete with scratched discs, broken systems, and a dearth of consoles in the heart of the holiday -- Microsoft has overcome technical and production issues and is hitting full stride. One year after Perfect Dark, Kameo, and Project Gotham Racing 3, we actually have Gears of War, Viva Pinata and 158 other games in our hands. One year after Microsoft debuted Xbox Live Arcade, Marketplace and its new Xbox Live subscription service for Xbox 360, we can see just how forward thinking its online service is. We're seeing Microsoft hit a 10 million worldwide subscriber base. We're watching Sony stumble through its own launch, backing into the holiday season with an expensive console and patchy ports. Three-hundred and sixty-five days after its own sketchy North American launch, how has Microsoft fared? We dare say the Xbox 360 is a success.

Viva Pinata Party in California (News)

Nov 22, 2006

Microsoft Game Studios today announced a true Piñata party to celebrate the launch of "Viva Piñata" for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system. On December 2nd, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, "Viva Piñata" will take over the Santa Monica Pier foran afternoon of free family fun.

Crazy new Viva Pinata screens (News)

Nov 17, 2006

Feast your eyes on some new screens from the recently released Viva Pinata. Check out our review to find out why 360 owners should give this unexpected gem a try. Among the sights on offer are some beavers sleeping in a lake - surely a dangerous choice of bed for a paper animal - as well as Pinata pandas and a sheep wearing a tiara. Crazy, yes, but in a good ...

Bungie Congratulates Clify. B and Epic on Gears Of War! (News)

Nov 11, 2006

In Bungies latest weekly update Bungie offered their congrats to fellow Game Epic a well as Rare!

"Congrats to Cliffy B and OF COURSE the rest of the team at Epic for the launch of Gears of War. The game is full of amazing art, music, audio and gameplay. A bunch of us have been getting together at night for some curb-stomping, chainsaw-wielding action. It's a violent, gory blast and is apparently the only thing folks on my Friends List are playing. And congrats to rare for busting out Viva Pinata. I won't be playing it myself, because it's for kids, so if you see someone with my Gamertag playing hours of Viva Piñata, then that's erm, my nephew Arvin".

Viva Pinata (Review)

Nov 9, 2006

If you think Viva Pinata is just a silly kids' game that's not worth your hardcore gaming time, you're probably right. Viva Pinata is a very special game that won't appeal to gamers only interested in adrenaline-fueled bullet fests. If you've got an open mind, however, you'll find a uniquely addictive and pleasantly colorful change of pace that scratches that Animal Crossing itch without all the hassle of little dogs yelling at you for not playing in a couple days. You start with a ramshackle ...

European launch details Viva Pinata (News)

Nov 1, 2006

Microsoft today announced that Viva Pinata will be released in Europe on the first of december. Besides the normal game, there will also be a Special Edition available for just a short time. It is unknown if this is just a limited number of copies or that you will be charged extra for.

The Special Edition will contain an episode of the Viva Pinata tv-series and some Xbox 360 game demo's.

Viva Pinata - hands-on (Preview)

Oct 31, 2006

The colorful, sickly sweet world of Viva Pinata may seem to be aimed squarely at the kiddies, but as we discovered in our hands-on time, you may not want to disregard this one. The concept is simple enough: you are charged with cultivating a small patch of land into a beautiful garden where little candy-filled critters can laze about in saccharine leisure. It sounds like a piece of cake (pun intended, and for that we apologize), but if you're not at the top of your game, your garden can quickly ...

Viva Pinata receives Gold-status (News)

Oct 31, 2006

Rare today announced that Viva Pinata has gone gold. That means the development of the game is finished and it's about ready to be shipped to gameshops worldwide.

Viva Pinata shares Gears of War Emergence Day (News)

Oct 29, 2006

Viva Pinata will be released on the 12th of November - the same day as Gears of War. These two games are going to sell huge amounts of copies - and the hype caused by the same-day release will be great for Microsoft. They will have practically all demographics buying their games on this single Emergence Day!

Viva Pinata Achievements Revealed (News)

Oct 26, 2006

Well, 20 of them. A total of 1,000 gamerpoints are on offer, broken evenly amongst 50 achievements. However, 30 of them are secret and you'll have to play the game to find them out.

Viva Pinata Interactive Demo on Xbox Live Marketplace (News)

Oct 25, 2006

We get a beautiful HD glimpse of Viva Pinata on our massive televisions. If we have them. This is not so much a demo, but a slightly interactive taster. It looks so good on the eyes!

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Oct 11, 2006

Wednesday 11 October 2006 A spot of green-fingered toil combined with a menagerie of cutesy papery pinatas. It's hardly the usual raw ingredients that go into a game but, if you're always on the lookout for fresh gaming experiences, Viva Pinata will surely have grabbed your gaze already. Of course, you might just be a sucker for donkeys with purple legs. A recent demonstration of the game's opening section gave us the opportunity to see how Viva Pinata's garden and ecosystem grows together - ...

Moore outlines Microsoft's 100m Xbox vision (News)

Oct 2, 2006

The X06 line-up might have impressed the games industry, but Xbox boss Peter Moore has conceded that Microsoft must work harder to attract new gamers if it is to match arch rival Sony and "hit 100 million".
And, speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in Barcelona earlier this week, Moore revealed that Microsoft is already working on peripheral-based software that it believes can match the market-broadening success of titles like SingStar and Guitar Hero.

"We recognise that what we call the 'Family Funster' stuff, if it's a category, is something we need to do better on," admitted Moore.

"With Viva Pinata there's this interesting concept of building an animated series Â¿ this is Microsoft doing children's television. If we'd said two years ago we'll have stuff for 8-12 year olds on Xbox Live I'm sure you'd have given me a slightly puzzled look. But I recognise that and we are doing a lot of stuff, we're just not ready to announce it yet."

Asked whether this meant Microsoft is currently working on its answer to the likes of SingStar and Buzz, Moore confirmed: "Oh yeah. And it's more than just games. Buzz, Singstar, Guitar Hero Â¿ there are peripherals and stuff of that nature. Things that in some instances take the controller away and give you things you feel more comfortable with."

Viva Pinata - X06 update (News)

Sep 28, 2006

About a month ago at the Leipzig Games Convention, developer Rare received a lot of flack for a crashy and frame-dropping Viva Pinata demo. What a difference a month makes. The demo we got to play at X06 seemed to be an entirely different beast altogether. The lock-ups and horrible framerate were magically replaced with some of the best graphics we've seen on 360 to ...

Viva Pinata trailer warms our hearts (News)

Sep 26, 2006

Xbox 360 paper animal collecting game Viva Pinata makes us smile every time we see it, so that's four more smiles and a grin today thanks to the latest clutch of screenshots and trailer. Just hit the Images and Movies tabs above to see them for yourself. The movie gives some indication as to how the game plays, although we have to say the human character looks a little out of place. The four shots also show some features we haven't seen before, such as a rainstorm and a snowy mountain with a ...

Microsoft announce TGS lineup (News)

Sep 18, 2006

Microsoft have released a list of games that will be featuring at this year's TGS. There are not many surprises, apart from the omission of the game everyone wants to see: Halo 3.

There are also a couple of games I have not heard of, such as Super Robot Taisen XO, so it will be interesting to see exactly what that turns out to be. Of course, it could be a Japanese title, since the event is in Japan, and might be an attempt to try and sell more 360s to the unwanting Japanese public. The games are as follows:

MotoGP'06 (THQ)
WWE 2007 SmackDown vs. Raw (THQ)
The Outfit (THQ)
Vampire Reign (AQ Interactive)
A Ressha de Gyouku HX (Artdink)
Dead Rising (Capcom)
Lost Planet Extreme Condition (Capcom)
Winning Eleven Serie (Konami)
Operation Darkness (Success)
Project Sylpheed (Square Enix)
Tomb Raider Legend (Eidos)
X-Men The Official Game (Spike)
Prey (Spike)
Full Auto (Sega)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Chikyuu Boueigun X (D3)
Fuzion Frenzy 2 (Hudson)
Culdcept Saga (Bandai Namco)
Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream (Bandai Namco)
Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation: Troy (Bandai Namco)
The Idol Master (Bandai Namco)
Super Robot Taisen XO (Banpresto)
Tenchu Senran (From Software)
Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (Tecmo)
Forza Motorsport (Microsoft)
Viva Pinata (Rare)
Riot Act [Crackdown] (Microsoft)
Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis (Microsoft)
Gears of War (Microsoft)

Viva Pinata Concept Art Released (News)

Sep 14, 2006

Showing the design phase of a series of the Viva Pinata species and characters, these items of artwork were released by Rare just yesterday. The evolution of character design is very evident!

Viva Pinata Makes Its TV Debut September 9 (News)

Sep 8, 2006

Viva Pinata from Microsoft Corp., Rare Ltd. and 4Kids Entertainment Inc. will make its debut this Saturday morning on 4Kids TV on FOX. The computer graphics (CG) animated series produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Bardel Entertainment will act as a springboard for the new franchise, which will also include an Xbox 360 video game from Microsoft Game Studios and other licensed merchandise.

Viva Pinata Wiki goes Live! (News)

Sep 8, 2006

For all you out there waiting for Viva Pinata for the 360. A Viva Pinata wiki site has gone live with a ton of advanced intel about pinata types, characters and etc. etc.

European Forza 2 and Viva Pinata releasedates rumored (News)

Sep 4, 2006

Dutch toys store 'Intertoys' distributed their annual catalogue this week. This might not sound very interesting but what caught our eye were the dates they listed for three big Microsoft published Xbox 360 games. According to the catalog we'll see Viva Pinata, Forza 2 and Gears of War in stores by the 6th of November.

Trailer: Viva Pinata (News)

Aug 24, 2006

Two new trailers, 'Chewnicorn in the Garden ' and 'Viva Pinata Horstachio of a Different Color', (both in 480p and 720p) for 'Viva Pinata' are now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for members in the U.S. and Canada.

Viva Pinata TV Show (News)

Aug 15, 2006

A television rendition of Rare's 360 game Viva Pinata is to hit Fox's four hour morning block "4Kids".

The first episode will premiere on September 9th and will definitely bolster sales when the game hits this holiday season.

New screens of Viva Pinata (News)

Jun 9, 2006

We've rooted out some new images of Rare's Viva Pinata which will be released for Xbox 360 at the end of the year. Check them out by clicking the images tab above. The game gives you the opportunity to cultivate a pinata haven which will attract the colorful creatures to come and inhabit the area. It's all about customization as you try to make your little patch of green a desirable and safe place to live. Once pinatas have decided to make your garden their home you can then go about ...

Xbox 360 Accessory Pricing Leaked! Numero Uno Bundle Coming... (News)

Jun 2, 2006

It looks as if one Microsoft insider has revealed to Joystiq the pricing for some upcoming official 360 accessories! The one that really stands so to speak is a rather attractive Uno bundle consisting of an Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset,UNO and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 which will be released in the USA on September 19th! They also have word that new faceplates featuring Halo will be available for $19.99, wireless headset with a 30-ft range at $59.99, a 256MB memory unit for $59.99 and last we have the wireless gaming receiver which is set to be available at $19.99.

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Perhaps the most important involves the bundling of the Xbox Live Vision camera with a wired headset, the popular Live Arcade title UNO, and a month of Live Gold service for $39.99 when it releases in the States on September 19, 2006.

Granted, this is still an unofficial report (based on a leak of "official" info), so understand that you're probably not gonna get much confirmation from MS until they're good and ready to give it. If you'd like information on what other peripherals are coming out "Holiday 2006" (so sometime in the 4th quarter) and at what price, read on for more.

- New faceplates featuring Halo, Forza 2, & Viva Pinata for $19.99 each
- Wireless headest with a 30-foot range for $59.99
- 256MB Memory Unit for $59.99
- Wireless gaming receiver for $19.99 (but it'll go on sale in Winter 2007, unlike the others, probably around the month of February)

E3 06: Viva Pinata movie (News)

May 11, 2006

If we had the money to make just one game, we'd go for the "living pinatas" theme too. Uh... wait, no. Be that as it may, that's Rare's next big thing, and you can find out for yourself just how bizarre and adorable it can be by clicking on the "movies" tab above. Don't blame us if it leaves you with a craving for ...

E3 06: Viva Pinata (Preview)

May 11, 2006

The next big game from Rare will be a brand-new franchise called Viva Pinata. An original idea by game developer Rare, the game will debut this holiday, just a few months after the tie-in CGI animated cartoon debuts on American television. The game is not based directly on the show, but instead takes place in the same world of Viva Pinata Island. In Viva Pinata, pinatas are living creatures. You tend a garden to attract them - if your dirt looks particularly inviting, worms will make your ...

Viva Pinata - trailer (Video)

May 10, 2006

Living pinatas ... yes, pinatas. And they're alive. But with the power of a TV show behind it, could everybody crave candy this holiday?

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Apr 19, 2006

Wednesday 19 April 2006 Apparently the brainchild of Chris Stamper and the Banjo team, this game of environmental management and creature collection looks like an attempt to blend some of the most rampantly successful and yet hardest-to-imitate concepts in videogaming: Pokemon and The Sims, with a little Animal Crossing for good measure. Microsoft is certainly not shy of the Pokemon comparison, as the deal with Saturday-morning kids TV network 4kids for a Viva Pinata CG animated series, and ...

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Mar 17, 2006

There are a handful of games that will make or break the Xbox 360 in the console war. The next installment of Halo, whenever it may come out, is one of them. Same goes for the racing sim Forza Motorsport. And alongside those space warriors, luxury cars and burnt rubber, you'll find ... talking piñatas. Yeah. Piñatas - the candy-filled animals that kids beat mercilessly with sticks at birthday parties, then gorge themselves on the sweet innards that come flowing out. Here, on Viva ...

Viva Pinata roaming to Xbox 360 (News)

Mar 16, 2006

Rainbow coloured paper animals combined with gardening-based gameplay is a curious concoction that you'd not normally associate with Xbox 360. But that's exactly what developer Rare - the people behind Kameo and Perfect Dark Zero - is germinating for the console with its newly announced title, Viva Pinata, which it plans to release this Christmas. Described by Microsoft as a "customisable, social and spontaneous game", Viva Pinata is based on an upcoming animated TV series of the same name, ...

Viva Pinata FAQ (FAQ)

Aug 8, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the FAQ ...

Viva Pinata Character Guide (FAQ)

May 23, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the FAQ ...

Dragonache Egg (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Get a Chipapotmus (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Good Way To Make Money (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Orange Raisant (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Different Color Syrupent (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Ivor The Beggar (Hint)

Mar 24, 2008

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Evolvers (Unlockable)

Jun 6, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Unlockable ...

Lots of Money (Hint)

May 8, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Green BarkBark (Hint)

Apr 25, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Blue Whirm (Hint)

Apr 25, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Get Salamango! (Unlockable)

Apr 25, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Unlockable ...

Get Chewnicorn! (Unlockable)

Apr 2, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Unlockable ...

Lots of Money (Hint)

Mar 7, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Color Change Chicken! (Hint)

Mar 7, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Horstatio (Hint)

Mar 7, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

How to get a Jameleon (Hint)

Mar 1, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

Blue Shellybean (Cheat)

Mar 1, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Cheat ...

Outside Area (Glitch)

Feb 8, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Glitch ...

Ivor's Shop (Hint)

Jan 16, 2007

Go to GamesRadar to see the Hint ...

GamesRadar - Viva Pinata

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If video games were... candy bars? (Feature)

First 'Games on Demand' titles launch (News)

Japan's Games On Demand Are Different To Yours (News)

Sumthing Else Music Works announces release of Viva Piñata Original Soundtrack (News)

Xbox 360 used in lessons (News)

Games invade Google Street View (Feature)

The secretly sinister storylines of your favourite games (Feature)

Buy 2 Select Xbox 360 Platinum Hits, Get 1 Free at Buy.com (News)

These games are not what you think they are (Feature)

The very best and worst of games merchandise (Feature)

Pinatas Go To The Movies (News)

Rare wishes everyone a fun-filled 2009 (News)

The Banjo universe meets Piñata gardens (News)

TalkRadar 30 – co-starring Jeff Gerstmann! (Feature)

Could Viva Piñata have inspired new Pixar project? (News)

We were *this* close to a cross console game (News)

Rare to answer your Trouble in Paradise questions next week (News)

No Rare IP is dead suggests developer (News)

Rare: Our 360 titles could have GoldenEye effect (News)

Viva Pinata - Gory death in cutesy game (Video)

Nintendo DS - Xbox 360 Connectivity Considered For 'Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise' (News)

Gears, Forza 2, Viva Piñata become UK Classics (News)

Top 7... Cutesy Characters We Want to Beat the Crap Out of (Feature)

Microsoft Holds Family Christmas Xbox 360 Event in Japan (News)

Leaked: NIMF's Annual Video Game Report Card (News)

Viva Pinata (Screenshots)

Viva Piñata PC dated (News)

Viva Piñata for Windows this Holiday (News)

Rare Questions Microsoft's Marketing of Viva Piñata (News)

MS answers Sony 40 GB PS3 New Xbox 360 Bundles (News)

Next for Microsoft Xbox: winning casual gamers (News)

Quartermann: Viva Pinata to Wii, No BioShock PS3? (News)

Man gets girl through Viva Pinata (News)

Viva Pinata: The real-life romance dance (News)

Why Viva Pinata is perfect for DS (Feature)

Viva Pinata announced for DS (News)

Xbox 360's Crackdown wins award for innovation (News)

All the Write Moves (Feature)

Grand Theft Pinata - Filled with guns! 06-27-07 (Video)

Viva Pinata Demo on XBLM (News)

Viva Piñata Sequel Likely (News)

Viva Piñata is for girls - Gates (News)

New SOCOM, Katamari and Viva Piñata in January EGM Rumors (News)

Official Xbox Magazine rates new Xbox 360 games (News)

Viva Pinata Coins Landing On Ebay (News)

Holiday Buyer's Guide 2006 - Xbox 360 (Feature)

Pinata's Running Wild On Ebay (News)

Console Monster Podcast - Episode One (News)

Xbox 360: The One Year Retrospective (News)

Viva Pinata Party in California (News)

Crazy new Viva Pinata screens (News)

Bungie Congratulates Clify. B and Epic on Gears Of War! (News)

Viva Pinata (Review)

European launch details Viva Pinata (News)

Viva Pinata - hands-on (Preview)

Viva Pinata receives Gold-status (News)

Viva Pinata shares Gears of War Emergence Day (News)

Viva Pinata Achievements Revealed (News)

Viva Pinata Interactive Demo on Xbox Live Marketplace (News)

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Moore outlines Microsoft's 100m Xbox vision (News)

Viva Pinata - X06 update (News)

Viva Pinata trailer warms our hearts (News)

Microsoft announce TGS lineup (News)

Viva Pinata Concept Art Released (News)

Viva Pinata Makes Its TV Debut September 9 (News)

Viva Pinata Wiki goes Live! (News)

European Forza 2 and Viva Pinata releasedates rumored (News)

Trailer: Viva Pinata (News)

Viva Pinata TV Show (News)

New screens of Viva Pinata (News)

Xbox 360 Accessory Pricing Leaked! Numero Uno Bundle Coming... (News)

E3 06: Viva Pinata movie (News)

E3 06: Viva Pinata (Preview)

Viva Pinata - trailer (Video)

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Viva Pinata (Preview)

Viva Pinata roaming to Xbox 360 (News)

We were this close to a cross console game (News)