Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise

For the original game, see Viva Piñata.

For the cartoon released in conjunction with this game, see Viva Piñata (TV series).

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise
File:VPPPbox.jpg North American box art
Developer(s)	Rare Ltd.
Publisher(s)	THQ
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Genre(s)	Life Simulation
Mode(s)	Single player

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is a life simulation game developed by Rare Ltd., for the Nintendo DS video game console and is directly based on the original game, not an all-new game in the series. This version will be developed by Rare's handheld team, as opposed to Viva Piñata: Party Animals and the PC version of the original game, which were developed by third-party developers. This is Rare's second Nintendo DS project, after Diddy Kong Racing DS which was developed by the same team.

History

Back in 2005, Electronic Gaming Monthly reported that Rare was hard at work on two projects for the Nintendo DS. Their first Nintendo DS game released was Diddy Kong Racing DS, so that game and Viva Piñata were most likely the two projects mentioned.

Viva Piñata for the Nintendo DS was first hinted at in an interview between Microsoft Game Studios and 1UP.com at the DICE 2007 Summit in Las Vegas.

“A Kameo or a Viva Piñata on a DS makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways from a franchise perspective. I think it’s fair to say that we’re going to continue to invest in that property [Viva Piñata]. Whether that is in the form of a sequel, a product line extension or through merchandising, whatever the case may be, that’s something that we’re going to stick with.” ” Whether you’re talking about [publishing games on] mobile or the DS — you probably won’t see it on the PSP, though.” - Shane Kim Corporate Vice President for Microsoft Game Studios

The game was announced later at Comic-Con 2007. In June 2008 Rare and THQ started promoting the game heavily prior to its Fall 2008 release.

File:VP Pocket Paradise Screenshot 001.jpg

Main game view

Gameplay

For the majority of the game, the main garden view is displayed in the lower screen of the DS. In the upper screen, however, there is a context sensitive information panel that is unique to this version of the game. The information that is displayed dynamically changes to reflect what is currently selected - ranging from an individual Piñata's romance requirements to a percentage breakdown of the garden's floor tiles.

Development

According to Rare, the Nintendo DS version is the same game as the original game, such as "starting with ruined garden, attracting Piñata, growing flowers and trees, buying things from shops." Like the PC version, it "takes advantage of the hardware available, so you interact using the stylus."

Rare also explains on their website that "you'll also be given free reign with an expanded selection of tools and tool actions, upgraded forms of the Journal and Encyclopedia, and brand new game modes such as Sandbox (for full and easy access to your favourite Piñatas) and Episodes (tying in more closely to the TV series and allowing fans of the show to spend quality time with familiar faces)."

"But one of the biggest changes is obviously the control method, with stylus input transforming the way in which you interact with your menagerie. Design, nurture, instruct, protect and care for your garden and animals through direct touch. DS wireless connectivity also lets you send prime Piñata specimens to your friends, making the act of parading your Doenut around in a humiliating pirate outfit easier than ever."

It has also been announced that there will be seven new types of piñatas, All the Pinatas found are recorded on a Pinata Pyramid.

In an interview by Gamasutra, Rare mentions that it's all stylus-controlled, and it works really well. The menu control was modified so that it uses the stylus well. Rare mentions that it's a lot more accurate. Rare also mentions that the DS version fits into the same mold as Civilization and SimCity DS, and that god-type games work well with the stylus and touch screen. Rare then mentions that the team has done a good job of getting most of the important parts out of the original game into the DS version, and that it stands up really well.

When mused that the DS version could outsell the original version which was "somewhat market mismatched", James Thomas, who developed the original, quipped: "Yeah, I think we've all come to terms with that. We'll be sobbing ourselves to sleep saying 'At least we set up a solid franchise!'" Justin Cook added: "But we always wanted them to do the best job they could, and they have. When I played it, I secretly wanted to be on that team for a while, but they obviously didn't need us at all." When asked when the game would be released Rare replied "soon".

In a May 2008 interview with members from the team, the question "Was it always the plan to transfer Viva Piñata across to the DS, or did it take some prompting?" received the response "In discussions for a follow-on project for DKR DS it became a greater focal point, and in hindsight, seeing what we came up with, it's proven to be a complete no-brainer. We love it." from the game's producer, Paul Machacek.

Release

On 13th May 2008 THQ officially announced the release of Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise in the Fall of 2008. The box art can be seen at:

On 22nd May 2008 Rare opened a dedicated Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise section on their website

The game's producer, Paul Machacek, was interviewed on IGN, spoke in a Live Chat and a video interview with him and the Lead Designer appeared on GameSpot (3:52 into this montage). The designer and an engineer were interviewed at play.tm

Screenshots are available on Rare's website, IGN, Eurogamer, Destructoid, CVG, Play.tm, Grrlgamer and WiiWii.tv

Video footage of the game being played is available on THQ's website, Eurogamer, Grrlgamer, videogamesblogger and THQ released a trailer for the game in July 2008 for E3. THQ produced more video footage

THQ have unveiled a poster of the pinata that appear in the game, but missing the seven new pinata (which appear to be secret).

Critical Reception

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise has received a very strong and positive critical reception from initial demos, interviews and previews prior to the games release. Articles typical of the very positive reaction are at Videogamer, GamesRadar, TotalVideoGames, 1up, GameSpot, palgn, Eurogamer, Play.tm, Destructoid, JeuxVideo, WiiWii.tv, Rare-Elite, Kotaku, dsfanboy, videogamesblogger, CVG and montages of previews and comments are at MundoRare and NeoGAF.

One typical piece from TotalVideoGames said "Pocket Paradise is already shaping up to be a mightily impressive outing on the DS. Perfectly at home on the Nintendo DS, arguably more so than on the Xbox 360, we're staggered that Rare have managed to squeeze the entire experience onto a DS cartridge, but also by the fact that Pocket Paradise improves upon many of the original's little niggles".

Destructoid's verdict included "...by the time they forced me to put the DS down, I was desperately trying to make a Taffly turn pink at the last second. Once the game gets its hooks in, they are very hard to shake off, and Pocket Paradise is looking like it will be a most worthy addition to the Nintendo DS library. Gamers searching for their next portable drug might want to keep a close, bloodshot eye on this one".

dsfanboy said "The familiarity and ease of use of the new interface should turn out to be a boon to the title..."

videogamer.com confirmed "There's so much depth to the game that it simply can't all be covered in a single preview. Suffice to say that Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise on DS is looking brilliant and is everything I, as a huge fan, wanted from a handheld version." and "...what I played for an afternoon is shaping up to be one of the best DS titles of 2008"

CVG added "Hats off to Rare, then. After all, shoehorning all the Piñatas and the gameplay onto the DS is quite the technical achievement - and one that's translated remarkably well." and "For a game that's relatively simple in concept, Pocket Paradise offers a substantial amount of play time, whatever your skill level, and could well be the best Viva Piñata to date."

External links

• Viva Piñata Official Site
• Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise Page on Rare's Official Site
• Viva Piñata Wiki - PinataIsland.info
• Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise - THQ's Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise Site