Viva Pinata

 Xbox 360
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
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  1. 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 by 'Rare', a British developer with real heritage. They know how to make good games.
  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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  3. Watermelon789
    Sep 11, 2011
    9
    I really laughed a lot after hearing that ViVa Pinata was getting a game adaptation .So yeah, I underestimated a game because of it's goofy concept. It turns out the game was quite addicting, everything to the charming graphics, cute animals and endearing world it's an instant victory for VP. Fun and addicting, nothing more defines this game .
  4. TheSnox
    Aug 15, 2018
    10
    You know, one day you're going to pick this game back up after a long day of work just for a few laughs and before you know it 48 hours will have passed and you phone will be ringing, you'll pick it up and your boss will say you're fired, after he says this you suddenly remember that you have a newborn baby, in a panic you drop the phone and quickly run into your bedroom to check on yourYou know, one day you're going to pick this game back up after a long day of work just for a few laughs and before you know it 48 hours will have passed and you phone will be ringing, you'll pick it up and your boss will say you're fired, after he says this you suddenly remember that you have a newborn baby, in a panic you drop the phone and quickly run into your bedroom to check on your baby but you're too late, he's died of dehydration. You let out a bloodcurdling scream of sorrow and quickly leave the room to check on your three dogs which you had let outside into the backyard before you started to play the game, you never intended to leave them out there of course, you where just going to pause the game and let them back inside, but somewhere along the way you became so engrossed in the game that you completely forgot about them and where blocking out their constant barking, as you walk outside you you see a scene that could could only be described as something out of a horror movie. Over the past 48 hours your dogs had gotten so hungry that they resorted to their animalistic ways and began eating eachother, one of your dogs is little more than a carcass of skin and bones while your other dog is on the ground squealing as it gushes blood. You can't bear to look at the scene any longer and you turn around to go back inside, possibly to end your own life but you can't help but notice the familiar tune coming from your TV room "VIVA PINATA DO DO DOO!" you immediately begin heading towards the room that contains your xbox and that beautiful, beautiful music and as you enter the room you're overwhelmed with a feeling of happiness, you can't help but sit down and pick up the controller. Maybe you'll just play for a few more hours before ending it all, after all you need to breed just a few more Taffly's before you can afford a cute little cat.… Expand
  5. Charlybs
    Jan 22, 2018
    7
    Original y estilo visual muy colorido. Es entretenido y engancha aunque no es un juego para todo tipo de jugadores.
  6. 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 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,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 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.… Expand
  7. Broyax
    Sep 29, 2017
    0
    Bizzarement, ce jeu niais aux couleurs fluos pour nabots plus ou moins gogolitos (ou "différents") n'est pas sorti sur consoles Nintendolito ! voilà qui ne laisse pas d'étonner. Mais je crois que Microsoft a racheté il y a longtemps ces blaireaux de Rare pour en faire leur fer de lance sur le créneau des jeux idiots. Il paraît qu'il y a même un "marché" pour ça.

    Mais à vouloir    Bizzarement, ce jeu niais aux couleurs fluos pour nabots plus ou moins gogolitos (ou "différents") n'est pas sorti sur consoles Nintendolito ! voilà qui ne laisse pas d'étonner. Mais je crois que Microsoft a racheté il y a longtemps ces blaireaux de Rare pour en faire leur fer de lance sur le créneau des jeux idiots. Il paraît qu'il y a même un "marché" pour ça.

    Mais à vouloir con-currencer Nintendaube, Grosoft s'est assurément fourvoyé, car les nintendaubeux restent fidèles contre vent et marée au petit artisan (?) japoniais qui roule sous les aisselles et recycle ses productions pleines de grenadine à intervalles réguliers.

    Ah, il faudrait parler du "jeu", viva pinata... je n'en ai point la force ni l'envie, car la courtoisie la plus élémentaire m'empêche de décrire sans être vulgaire ce tas de... enfin ce truc. Certes, "pinata" m'a bien inspiré un ou deux jeux (!) de mots mais la bienséance m'empêche (encore !) de vous en faire part ici.    … Expand
  8. elitefour
    Dec 11, 2013
    0
    Really Rare?
    i love donkey kong, i love killer instinct
    i love goldeneye,i love perfect dark 1999
    but this? its horrible!! i hate viva piñata
    its bored,stupid, i hate it
  9. skinnyocean4
    Jan 5, 2012
    0
    Me parece un juego lamentable, basado en dar palazos en la tierra para arreglar un jardin y quitar basura... en dos palabras, muy malo. Creo que es un juego para niños o con poco criterio en la vida.
  10. KatieP.
    Feb 10, 2008
    6
    It was alright and all. I expected more though. The lack of space was overwhelming and took the fun out of it for me.
  11. Dufflad
    Oct 12, 2011
    9
    A surprisingly fantastic game. Lot's of fun, truly a great, hidden gem. I went in expecting nothing, I came out with a relaxing game full of depth. Great to play between intense games to reset your brain, just saying. :P
  12. Breegullbeak
    Jan 18, 2013
    8
    First thing is first the show was made to hype the game just like with Pokemon. Now the game is fun once you figure out how to turn a profit and bring in the big Pinatas, but I'd be lying if I said that wasn't time consuming. From Chewnicorns to Buzzlegums this game is full of strategy and problem solving that will make you rethink what the target audience should have been.

    The game is    First thing is first the show was made to hype the game just like with Pokemon. Now the game is fun once you figure out how to turn a profit and bring in the big Pinatas, but I'd be lying if I said that wasn't time consuming. From Chewnicorns to Buzzlegums this game is full of strategy and problem solving that will make you rethink what the target audience should have been.

    The game is beautiful and the characters are fun. The trademark Rare Humor is here slipping in jokes only the older players will get. I'd say get the sequel but that may be harder to find.    … Expand
  13. Atomheart
    Nov 12, 2006
    8
    A great game for kids and adults to play together. Needs minor improvements but a beautiful visual and engaging time. Here's hoping the franchise grows.
  14. Matt
    Nov 20, 2006
    8
    This game is a peaceful, relaxing experience without all of the hardcore violence of most games. The way this game has been marketed really turned me off to the concept, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this is one of the most unique games I've played this year. It won't interest everyone but it's a game that's for everyone, for once.
  15. RedXIII
    Dec 30, 2006
    8
    Fun, a very nice welcome from the other ultra-violent titles out now. The graphics are nice, gameplay is simple and easy to pick up, I applaud the effort to make something truly unique and different. A very fun game if you are looking for something entirely different then any other game out there. On the down side some of the camera angles are a little annoying (you cant zoom out that Fun, a very nice welcome from the other ultra-violent titles out now. The graphics are nice, gameplay is simple and easy to pick up, I applaud the effort to make something truly unique and different. A very fun game if you are looking for something entirely different then any other game out there. On the down side some of the camera angles are a little annoying (you cant zoom out that far), which makes it hard to find what your looking for sometimes.… Expand
  16. JimbobTehPirateOfAllTingzKule
    Aug 4, 2007
    10
    OMG This game is the greatest. Seriously, it is amazing. So much replay value...so many things to do...it really is a game no 360 owner should be without. The achievements are good, the sound is sublime and the graphics..woah. Check amazon 4 some amazing prices guys! I've also found pinataisland.info which is a site dedicated to VP (A very good site, as well) which has RARE employees OMG This game is the greatest. Seriously, it is amazing. So much replay value...so many things to do...it really is a game no 360 owner should be without. The achievements are good, the sound is sublime and the graphics..woah. Check amazon 4 some amazing prices guys! I've also found pinataisland.info which is a site dedicated to VP (A very good site, as well) which has RARE employees on it regularly. … Expand
  17. TimA.
    Sep 27, 2007
    9
    This game is unique and cute. The things to do around the garden can get boring at times but the experience is very rewarding in the end.
  18. Ryencoke
    Jan 21, 2008
    10
    Without a doubt one of my favorite Xbox 360 games.
  19. [Anonymous]
    Nov 12, 2006
    10
    I got it for my kids... And have hardly stopped playing since friday night. No other 360 game has ever done that to me.
  20. DavidH.
    Dec 18, 2006
    9
    The game is not perfect, but it is absolutely brilliant, Rare's best since the original Perfect Dark. The characterisation of the Pinatas, the control scheme, the voice acting, the animation, the learning curve... it's all top-notch. This deserves to sell by the truckload. The only faults are an occassionally cumbersome interface, and play area that can grow too small too The game is not perfect, but it is absolutely brilliant, Rare's best since the original Perfect Dark. The characterisation of the Pinatas, the control scheme, the voice acting, the animation, the learning curve... it's all top-notch. This deserves to sell by the truckload. The only faults are an occassionally cumbersome interface, and play area that can grow too small too quickly (presumably so younger players don't get too swamped). Overall: buy it!… Expand
  21. MattF.
    Dec 11, 2007
    8
    An addictive masterpiece. Well worth the money. If you buy this game, no matter what kind of sex, age or gamer you are, you will not be dissapointed.
  22. JohnH.
    Jan 4, 2007
    8
    Good as Viva Pinata is, there is room for improvement. Until one reaches Level 30 or so, the game can be very frustrating -- especially because intuition alone would never solve some of the problems and challenges that need to be faced. But once a player has accumulated lots of chocolate coins and has secured his or her garden from potential enemies, Viva Pinata is an amusing game of Good as Viva Pinata is, there is room for improvement. Until one reaches Level 30 or so, the game can be very frustrating -- especially because intuition alone would never solve some of the problems and challenges that need to be faced. But once a player has accumulated lots of chocolate coins and has secured his or her garden from potential enemies, Viva Pinata is an amusing game of animal husbandry... breed, breed, breed and win points. The characters are imaginative and amusing... the "romance dances" are a delight... the game provides more sheer ppleasure than just about anything released this year on any platform.… Expand
  23. Yana
    Mar 23, 2007
    7
    I agree with most good things that have been said about this game, but here are some things that are getting me annoyed: Unskippable cut scenes, clunky controls/menu system (why is the story in "player achievements"?) , not nearly enough explanation of new things (I still don't know how to make honey. yes I tried directing the bees to the honey-maker apparatus. I also had to look up I agree with most good things that have been said about this game, but here are some things that are getting me annoyed: Unskippable cut scenes, clunky controls/menu system (why is the story in "player achievements"?) , not nearly enough explanation of new things (I still don't know how to make honey. yes I tried directing the bees to the honey-maker apparatus. I also had to look up things such as what that transfigurator scarecrow guy is for), and too much and too strict artificial "balancing" limits, such as the number of fences (also not clearly explained), the number of things in the garden, etc. The game also does not seem to be balanced well for any goals other than "get as many new Pinata types as I can". I could live with not getting any experience for doing what I want with the garden, but most of the time it gets screwed up by things that are meant to propel me forward with getting new Pinatas.… Expand
  24. MikeC.
    Mar 3, 2007
    9
    It is to complicated and difficult to be considered a "Childs game", go ahead, try to get 50/59 achievements, you will see how serious this game can become. It is all great fun though, the great thing about the game is, it always gives you something to do. It might seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, it'll reward you with one of the better games of its year.
  25. NickG.
    May 28, 2007
    9
    I had my doubts about this game, but it's totally deep and worth trying. I found myself playing for hours without realizing it. A very well done game.
  26. Nyteowl
    Nov 11, 2006
    10
    Not a bad title at all, it's pretty much like playing the sims. The visuals are excellent and the mechanics are easy to follow and use. The piñatas don
  27. LucyR.
    Nov 12, 2006
    9
    This is an amazing game. The Pinatas are just so colorful and fit in with the environment. I personally like this game and give it a 9/10.
  28. CrandelE.
    Nov 14, 2006
    8
    I Think the game is overall a sim type game. Its kinda like the sims, but on the xbox360. Overall the game seems very amusing.
  29. RichardG.
    Nov 16, 2006
    10
    Absolutely briliant! Compelling, unique gameplay, gorgeous stylised graphics!
  30. GuangmianK.
    Nov 18, 2006
    9
    Viva Pinata is one of the most visually effective games that I have ever seen. There aren't really much mapping and stuff, but it simply looks beautiful, its like watching a pre-rendered cartoon yourself. This is the kind of utilisation of system compabilities that developers should be aiming for, effective and simply. The controls could use some tweaking though and the need to go Viva Pinata is one of the most visually effective games that I have ever seen. There aren't really much mapping and stuff, but it simply looks beautiful, its like watching a pre-rendered cartoon yourself. This is the kind of utilisation of system compabilities that developers should be aiming for, effective and simply. The controls could use some tweaking though and the need to go through a short loading screen to read your encyclopedia or buy some seeds is really quite irritating. The concept of the game is really excellent, and for what it is trying to accomplish, is already doing a very good job. Come up with a sequel! Improve the controls and get rid of loading screens and I bet gaming sites will be giving it 9.5-10s!… Expand
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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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. GamesRadar+
    80
    A terminally cute game, so while almost guaranteed to suck the kiddies in, it's a tough sell for the trigger-happy Halo crowd. It's also fairly short if your goal is getting every pinata in the game to become a resident in your garden.
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  2. IGN
    85
    The characters are endearing and the abounding sense of discovery can't be denied.
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  3. TeamXbox
    84
    The most interesting thing about Viva Pinata is the fact that it's actually better suited for adults than it is for children. Managing your resources (er, your pinatas) can be a lot of work, and I'm actually finding the game to be more challenging than many real-time strategy games.
    Read full review
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