Genre: Simulation
Player(s): 1-4 (Shared cursor in the original game. True multiplayer in the second)
Format: Digital/Physical
Developer: Rare LTD
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios
What is Viva Piñata?
Viva Piñata is a garden simulator where you build up a garden to attract and then manage Piñatas. You build Piñatas homes, plant seeds to attract them, let them romance, and—of course—beat them with a shovel feed and feed their innards to each other. It's very targeting the same area of your brain as games like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon. As seen in the above GIF, Viva Piñata is pure joy.
So Trouble in Paradise is a sequel?
Think of it more as a game of the year edition than a whole new sequel. It's the same base game but with additional content like new environments and features such as 2 player offline co-op. Some UI features have also been streamlined over the original release.
Which one do I want to play first?
Trouble in Paradise is an expanded version of that first game. If you aren't interested in seeing the original game for curiosity's sake than there is no reason not to start with the latter release.
The original game does feature a more in-depth tutorial though. Might be worth playing that before moving over to Trouble in Paradise.
Can I bring my garden from the Xbox 360 into my Xbox One?
Yes. If you upload your Viva Piñata to the cloud on a 360 console your Xbox One will pull it down when booting the same game on that platform.
How complex is this game?
Surprisingly complex. You need to deal with hostile piñatas, manage watering/fertilizing plants, prevent piñatas from eating each other and seeds (when you'd rather them not). Trouble in Paradise does add a passive mode that disables a lot of the difficulties of the game and lets you focus just on gardening and raising pinatas.
How long is the game?
Via howlongtobeat:
Viva Piñata - ~19 hours
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise - ~19 hours
Is there any difference between playing this via a disc, standalone digital release or the version in Rare Replay?
No. The only difference is in picking the original release or Trouble in Paradise.
The original game was previously released on PC? Can I still play it today?
Kinda. The game was released as part of Microsoft's Games for Windows Live program and, while the digital storefront is long gone, you should still be able install and activate the retail version that is still available at some retailers. I just did this recently with Halo 2 without issue and whenever I find my copy of VP on PC I'll check that as well.
When can I play the game as a part of my Game Pass subscription?
June 20th. Grabbing Rare Replay will let you pull down the separate downloads for the 360 BC games in the collection include both Viva Piñata games.
I have Game Pass on PC. Can I play Viva Piñata through that service?
No. Rare Replay is only on XB1 and not PC, so you can't access Viva Piñata through that collection on PC.
How does the game run on the different platforms?
Xbox 360: 720p @ *30fps
Xbox One: 720p @ **30fps
Xbox One X: 4k @ **30fps
PC: Native support for up to ***1920x1200 @ 60fps
*Screen tearing and framerate dips.
**Locked aside from Piñata dances which are uncapped.
***You can go higher than this by modifying the game but it breaks the GFWL overlay so you cannot sign-in. This disables saving. http://www.wsgf.org/dr/viva-piñata
XB1X Screens
Viva Piñata - Metascore 84
IGN 8.5/10
https://ca.ign.com/articles/2006/11/11/viva-piaatas-review
If you've played The Sims or Animal Crossing and enjoyed them, Viva Pinata is a safe bet. The gameplay is more interactive and hectic, and facing the consequences of your actions, be they good or bad, is enjoyable gaming. Viva Piñata may have been designed with children in mind, but Rare has created a game that anybody with an open mind can get into and have fun with. The characters are endearing and the abounding sense of discovery can't be denied. Despite the slim interpersonal Xbox Live interaction we would hope for in a game like this, Viva Piñata has enough to explore and keep you busy that it makes for a solid purchase.
Viva Piñata - Metascore 82
1UP A
https://web.archive.org/web/20110604042954/http://www.1up.com/reviews/viva-pinata-trouble-paradise
If you hated the original, Trouble in Paradise isn't going to change your opinion. If, however, you somehow missed out completely on the piñata party the first time around, I implore you to check it out now -- it's certainly much deeper and more addictive than its playful visuals would lead you to believe.
Gamespy 4.5/5
http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/viva-pinata-trouble-in-paradise/907993p1.html
Even without some of its improvements, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise would be a solid sequel, but the more user-friendly gameplay, online features, and variety make it better in nearly every way. It may not win over the haters (you know who you are!), but it's definitely worth a look if you're in the market for an entertaining strategy game that just happens to star a bunch of brightly-colored adorable critters. Here's hoping that this won't be the last time we get a taste of their sweet, sweet candy.
Viva Piñata
Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise
Rare Replay
Pinata Island Gameplay tips
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