Viva Pinata

 Xbox 360
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 65 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 65
  3. Negative: 0 out of 65
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  1. Edge Magazine
    70
    Rich with charm, ingenuity, artistry and genuine delight. [Jan 2007, p.77]
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  2. netjak
    62
    The premise behind Viva Piñata is solid, but irritating gameplay and sound issues hindered the overall execution. What could have been a true classic ends up being a remarkably average game.
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
14
#14 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
10
#10 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 140 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 179
  3. Negative: 19 out of 179
  1. TheBareMin1mum
    Jan 26, 2012
    10
    Viva Pinata is possibly the best, if not one of the best, life simulation games of all times. Conjuring up cuteness that The Sims could neverViva Pinata is possibly the best, if not one of the best, life simulation games of all times. Conjuring up cuteness that The Sims could never handle, the graphics and animations are fluid and vibrant, and the mating dance is always a spectacle. The controls are simple and easy to use, but hard to master. Combine that with some helpful tips and a range of pinatas to bring into your garden, and you end up with a gem of a video game. If you're sick of all the shooters and hack-n-slash games, and you feel the need for some relaxing, full of depth gameplay, purchase this video game.… Full Review »
  2. B-Bog
    Mar 22, 2019
    4
    Not for me. I was really intrigued by this game because it came with the Rare Replay that I bought mainly for the N64 classics. I played itNot for me. I was really intrigued by this game because it came with the Rare Replay that I bought mainly for the N64 classics. I played it for approximately two and a half hours and was annoyed as fork.

    In the first two hours, you rarely have actual control over the game for more than ten seconds before a new Alert, Tutorial, character, Pinata etc. comes up. It's kind of overwhelming really, so much stuff gets thrown at you. They definitely could have spaced this out better, maybe have a new species of Pinata turn up every 5-10 minutes instead of every 30-60 seconds. You barely have enough time to look at the requirements for each Pinata to visit, become a resident, and mate before the next one shows up. And it's really a lot to keep track of when 20+ species appear in the first couple of hours, when you're still just learning to play the game and are getting introduced to all the mechanics. Then when all the explanations stop, you're sort of left hanging. At that point, I was asking myself: "So what do I do now? What's the goal here? Which species of Pinata should i favour? How do I keep unwanted intruders out? etc"

    Also, it's kind of hard to be aware of everything that's going on in the garden, all the requirements, mating, Pinatas getting sick/poisoned, Pinatas fighting and eating each other etc. etc. That does not fit the tag line of a relaxed gardening game for me. Plus, I found the control scheme to be kind of unintuitive, e.g. when you want to sell something you have to confirm three times before you can actually make the sale, which is horsesheet when you've got so many other things to take care of.

    Maybe I'll give this game another try sometime, but for now, I'm really not impressed. Maybe it's just not my genre, as I also never really got into the Sims or Animal Crossing or anything like that.

    P.S. THIS IS AN ENGLISH WEBSITE. WRITE YOUR REVIEWS IN FORKING ENGLISH.    … Full Review »
  3. phantajisto
    Mar 11, 2012
    8
    This an excellent game for both young kids and adults. Fun, colourful and relaxing but with depth and challenge if you want it. Made byThis an excellent game for both young kids and adults. Fun, colourful and relaxing but with depth and challenge if you want it. Made by 'Rare', a British developer with real heritage. They know how to make good games.… Full Review »
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