Rare to unleash Pinatas on 360s this holiday season
by Dan Choi 
{ Mar 15th 2006 at 6:17PM }
Rare's next project is apparently an original IP concerning living piñata animals that will be featured in a Saturday morning TV/3-D/CG show and then in an Xbox 360 game debuting this holiday season worldwide.
As part of the licensing arrangement forged with 4Kids Entertainment in January, Viva Piñata will premiere on 4Kids TV on FOX this fall, with the game following before Christmas (with the hope that viewers will get hooked on the brightly colored universe before the game's released).
While marketed as a game for "players of all ages and skills," the 360 incarnation of the property will probably appeal to kids, the main audience of the animated TV show. Still, the prospect of managing your own garden (in real time) and trading with other gamers on Live might appeal to the Animal Crossing/Pokémon/Nintendogs/Harvest Moon set. And who knows? Maybe you'll get to use those party-loving piñatas for what they were made for, er... partying. We hope this turns out better than Grabbed by the Ghoulies, another IP that Rare created itself (like Kameo).
[Thanks, Ryan Was, Hiro, The1, SickNic, JamesO, bv, and Frank Benjamin]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
untitled @ Mar 15th 2006 6:20PM
Video can be seen here: http://www.4kids.tv/vivapinata/video.php
Jago @ Mar 15th 2006 6:25PM
Oh yea there is a good use of talent...let's make a game based on some lame saturday morning kid cartoon show.
...and then put it on a system that the audience for the show won't even own.
RP @ Mar 15th 2006 6:29PM
"Oh yea there is a good use of talent...let's make a game based on some lame saturday morning kid cartoon show."
The show was concieved along with the game. It's an attempt to widen the 360's appeal.
Brian @ Mar 15th 2006 6:32PM
So is the goal of the game to beat these cute little creatures with sticks until goodies fall out?
Paging Jack Thompson.
zenprism @ Mar 15th 2006 6:37PM
Raise pinatas then beat them to death for their innard-candy? I'm in.
The1 @ Mar 15th 2006 6:38PM
I do not see who this game will compare to Pokeman. This is a waste.
Jordan @ Mar 15th 2006 6:43PM
I was wondering when the first childs game was going to come out...and well...here it is.
But my question is whether or not it will have the gamerscore feature. I mean, it's obvious that it won't be too incredibly difficult to beat in a couple days giving that person an easy +1000 points. Eh, it's just a number I guess.
Mxcan @ Mar 15th 2006 6:44PM
!!!!!!!!! NO!
Im going to have to start a petition against this game. its abusing my mexican pride. Now i gotta go find some mexicans
MrHoju @ Mar 15th 2006 6:45PM
However, if the show takes off... it could mean a lot of sales for the 360 user base. Also, by this fall... there should be 360s everywhere.
I think it is a good move... there really hasn't been a lot of kid-centric games for the Xbox or 360. Remember, the 360 is meant to reach more than just the hardcore gamers.
octorok @ Mar 15th 2006 6:59PM
Behold! Race-specific demographic marketing in the videogame sphere has begun!
Next on the target list:
~Eskimos
~Midgets
~the Blind
vazel @ Mar 15th 2006 7:00PM
companion tv shows always serve to fuel the fanboy flames. it's a good move. became a big donkey kong fanboy when the cg donkey kong show was on. also became an even bigger sonic fan than i already was thanx to sonic cartoons.
Jago @ Mar 15th 2006 7:21PM
You honestly think that if some little kid likes the show that enough of their parents are going to go out and spend $400+ on a 360? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight...
"Remember, the 360 is meant to reach more than just the hardcore gamers."
True...but you have to have more then 1 or 2 to get people to spend that much money...it'll be even harder if they can't any other games on the system that would appeal to them.
Zanch @ Mar 15th 2006 7:25PM
It's certainly a strange idea, but if the show takes off, you know all the little kids will end up begging their parents for 360s this holiday, which, I imagine, is what MS is aiming for.
Steven @ Mar 15th 2006 7:26PM
I can't see this being much better than the ghoulies game they made earlier. Of course, I haven't watched any videos or seen any pics of it (the pinata game). I'll go look at them now and see what I think.
Bender @ Mar 15th 2006 7:28PM
I thought it was quite a clever idea! Cute, anyway.
Red White and Blue @ Mar 15th 2006 7:38PM
""!!!!!!!!! NO!
Im going to have to start a petition against this game. its abusing my mexican pride. Now i gotta go find some mexicans""
Mexicans are [flame].
and by [flame] I mean [flame].
Exo @ Mar 15th 2006 7:41PM
this from the company that said nintendo was kiddy for having pokemon
Stu L Tissimus @ Mar 15th 2006 7:45PM
RWAB, please, do everybody a favor and keep racism out of the comments. It's people like you that make the rest of America look bad.
Anyway, the game itself seems sorta like a Rare take on Animal Crossing, from the bits of gameplay they showed. Complete with their typical British humor and sexual innuendos stuck in everywhere. As for the TV show... The hell with that. It's being done by 4kids, which will remove any trace of Rare's charm.
Superzapper2000 @ Mar 15th 2006 7:51PM
RARE suck now .Nintendo lost nothing when they went to Microsoft.
o07craft @ Mar 15th 2006 7:59PM
great. This is all I need, more little kids buying a 360 and coming on live. People want KI3, PD2, Banjo kazooie 3, jet force jemini 2. Instead we get this kids crap.
The only good news is its based on a tv show so rare cant delay it (hopefully) which means that by the end of this year Rare will hopefully be working on a real game.
momo @ Mar 15th 2006 8:03PM
Rare has finally made a game that is more unpleasant to me than Banjo-Kazooie!
GOOD SHOW, GUYS.
Kevin @ Mar 15th 2006 8:03PM
SON OF A BITCH.
Will @ Mar 15th 2006 8:09PM
anyone else think those pinatas look bit scary? they dont look very kid-friendly to me.
david carty @ Mar 15th 2006 8:09PM
The words letdown and gay are in my mind. I was really hoping for something grand from Rare. But guess not, I had heard rumors of them making a kids game and hoped they weren't true... guess they were :(
Exo @ Mar 15th 2006 8:16PM
rare hasnt made a good game since the N64 days
GangWAY @ Mar 15th 2006 8:21PM
I get SO sick of all they NEGETIVITY when it comes to the 360. It seems nothing they do will please any of the doom and gloom ps3 fanboys. You got one [flame] saying that kids wont buy the 360 just for one game. Im thinking is this dude really that [flame]? I have a son and a 360, now maby...just maby I want to pick up a title he might like. I know its such a far streched idea to these [flame] around here but think before you open your [flame] ok? Then you got the [flame] saying how this wont compete with pokemon and its a waist. Hello, have you even played the game or thought that it isnt going to try to be a pokemon clone but maby a original game. Oh wait your the same guy who says that the PS3 has better games when not ONE is even out. Gottcha.
Kevin @ Mar 15th 2006 8:27PM
If your son wants this game, I think you two should have 'that' convsersation now, instead of waiting until he's out of college and brings home Sebastion.
Joe @ Mar 15th 2006 8:30PM
Hey, take a look here
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/vivapinata/news.html?sid=6146002&page=2&q=
They talk of a new Live feature! Object transfer. IF that is true, you an envision they can build an entire barter system or selling system between people.
Jago @ Mar 15th 2006 8:44PM
"rare hasnt made a good game since the N64 days"
Bingo...
@ GangWAY:
You missed my point...I said parents won't buy a 360 JUST b/c they're kids want to play the game. You have the 360 b/c YOU bought it...but I am talking about parents that don't play games and have no interest in playing games.
...and there is no need to resort to calling people "stupid"...you know...[flame].
bd @ Mar 15th 2006 8:47PM
No Killer Instinct 360!?!?!?!!?! :( :( :(
FUCK! No Xbox 360. For now.
weaszel @ Mar 15th 2006 9:00PM
Wow, Jago, looks like you've really upset the comment-Nazis today.
He's made some great points... I just can't see a parent rushing out to spend around $400 for a game system solely for the purpose of playing a game that revolves around cardboard animals...
It worked for Pokemon, but we aren't talking hundred-dollar, portable game systems here.
beLL @ Mar 15th 2006 9:10PM
i think i'm the only one that actually likes the look of this game...who knows, it could be quite good. visually, its already got my attention.
Jago @ Mar 15th 2006 9:29PM
...it's bit unfair when I get a negative star yet people like "GangWAY" call people names and nothing happens.
I bet I have an idea of who [flame].
Babylonian @ Mar 15th 2006 9:33PM
Jesus Christ this is horrifying. I even YTMNDd it. AWFUL.
http://vivapinata.ytmnd.com
superguido @ Mar 15th 2006 9:33PM
Looks kinda derivative, actually. It just sounds like a mish-mash of game ideas done time and time again in games like Pokemon and Harvest Moon.
And Rare hasn't made anything worthwhile since the guys who made Free Radical left, in my opinion. Of course, I think Timesplitters 2 is one of the best shooters ever, so I realize I'm in the minority here.
gob @ Mar 15th 2006 9:51PM
Love it. Love it Love it Love it. Everyone complains about the lack of innovation and risk-taking on the part of Western publishers. Well, I wouldn't call this "innovative", really, but it *is* a risk, and it looks like it'll be a damn fine sandbox game, great for kids and casual gamers.
LaughingTarget @ Mar 15th 2006 9:51PM
It is difficult to call this a racially targeted game given that pinatas have essentially been nationality-neutral for at least as long as I can remember (ie - early 80's on). They are staples of children's parties all over the USA, be they hispanic in origin or not.
Children know pinatas. They are colorful and contain a special treat. If positioned right, this game can sell very well, regardless if it is junk or not.
Ryan Williams @ Mar 15th 2006 10:01PM
Looks like it could be pretty good to me. The video was fairly amusing despite the very basic humour, it seems to be a cutesy deal which Rare is usually pretty good at handling, and the art direction is unique. If combined with stellar gameplay and a solid main character, it's set to be a winner.
I'd certainly prefer that they return to the likes of Banjo-Kazooie, but eh.
Ryan Williams @ Mar 15th 2006 10:04PM
Oh, it looks like you get to choose your own main character out of many. I guess they'll need to make a whole bunch of memorable main characters, then!
Gavin @ Mar 15th 2006 10:17PM
Letting Rare go was a smart move by Nintendo. They really aren't what they used to be, and I think most of their original talent has long since moved on to other companies. The people at Free Radical were smart to get off that sinking ship....
epobirs @ Mar 15th 2006 10:46PM
I don't see anything wrong with this. While it may not be of direct interest to me I don't begrudge others a choice to their likeing in the 360 library. It would be a terrible thing not to seek some titles suited to the younger audience. It is easy to recognize that one of Sony's great strengths is the massively varied library the PS3 will offer when the PS1 and PS2 libraries are factored in. It handicapped the GameCube and Xbox to have many genre underrepresented, sometimes to the point of only a single token entry or two.
Demographically, I don't see a problem either. A major portion of the Xbox 360 audience are longtime gamers with rug rats of their own. Heck, some of the people who started on the Atari 2600 are grandparents who can hold their own against their grandkids.
True, few parents are going to layout the $34o minimum for the Core System and memory card but that price isn't going to last forever. If this game is the start of a new franchise it and its sequels and spinoffs could still do a good business when the 360 w/HDD is under $200. Since the game is only just being announced and could be over a year from hitting retail, the price of the console will likely be somewhat lower and the installed base among parents high enough to make some decent sales.
From the way this product is described the competition here isn't Pokemon, it's Neopets. My neices and their friends all enslaved by that site. Nintendo will very likely attempt to produce a Pokemon community game to meet the Neopets challenge, too.
epthegeek @ Mar 15th 2006 10:53PM
I think this looks awesome.
Sure, the hardcore types hate it. Newsflash guys. IT'S NOT FOR YOU. There are other demographics outside of 'hardcore gamers that read gaming news all day' -- and they're in the majority. Not you [flame].
My six year old would _love_ this.
The young age group gets mostly ignored, as people who make games these days all grew up playing games and are making games for themselves -- not for kids. To see the younger audience get a high quality game really makes me happy. How can you bring up a new generation of gamers if they don't have anything great to play early on? The stuff that does get made for younger kids these days is mostly garbage. THIS on the other hand looks great.
Go back to playing GRAW where you belong, haters.
/And for all the stupid #%)(*% ghoulie hate, did any of you guys that mouth off about how crappy ghoulies is ever PLAY the game? It's a great old-school arcade style action game. It's got high production values, and fun gameplay with a decent difficulty ramp. It's damn fun. And If you didn't give it a chance that's your own loss.
Todd @ Mar 15th 2006 11:22PM
epthegeek I think you've hit on a good point I've made in the past. "Hardcore gamers that read gaming news all day" seem to think that videogames are their personal playground, that this is some exclusive club that allows them to decide what they want and don't want on their turf. While this game isn't something I'd play, I know kids who will. Also I loath the way 4kids butcher any anime they get their hands on by rewriting the script and music as well as censoring anything they don't think is proper. However, I can say it looks like a good idea and might pull Rare out of this spiral they seem to be in.
The funny thing is HGTRGNADs (that's "hardcore gamers that read gaming news all day", for those who missed it) don't usually know or like to admit that they make up a very small minority of the total whole of videogame players. So it's not like their opinions matter as much as they'd like them to.
NICK @ Mar 15th 2006 11:30PM
this looks to be good but: http://gameads.gamepressure.com/tv_game_commercial.asp?ID=1108
Joseph Matt @ Mar 15th 2006 11:31PM
You know, sure, it'll be great for kids, but here's the question, beyond the current base of 360 owners, who would buy a new $400 system for this? And not only that, who would buy this game that already owns a 360. I'm NOT saying there shouldn't be games like this, but think about it for a sec. Animal Crossing, a cute game that's addictive and kids like. For the game and system, it's only approx $200 (for cube, game that comes with memory card). Compare that to this, which would cost over twice as much. And don't forget the fact that the install base of the GCN was much biggen than the 360 when AC came out, and was skewed more towards that audience.
I'm sorry MS, but until you drop the price and change your marketing away from the Apple inspired*, you won't be getting many people buying this game.
*Writing this on a 15" PB
epthegeek @ Mar 15th 2006 11:46PM
What about the huge numbers of gamers that are old enough now to have their own kids? I think you're underestimating the market for this.
I'm 34, I have an Xbox 360 and a 6 year old daughter. I'd _LOVE_ to have more content on the 360 for her to enjoy (she really loves Kameo at the moment).
While there may not be many families willing to buy a 360 just for this game -- think about all the families that already own 360s that could use more family friendly content.
Our world of gaming entertainment is a finely tuned machine of franchises and mature content, because that's the safe bet. I have a lot of respect for Rare for taking the step out of the norm to do something new. Something a lot more than the hardcore can enjoy.
Debikul @ Mar 15th 2006 11:50PM
Hmm, last time I checked pretty much any developer could say "fuck you" to the consumers and stopmaking games for you to enjoy period. Now, I've noticed quite a bit of bitching on this article about how so and so sucks and blah, blah, blah, whatever. The point is this: You don't have to buy the damn game. Is someone holding a gun to your head to buy the game? No. Some kids and adults will like it, some won't. The whole point is that you as a consumer can decide for yourself if you want the game or not. Why bitch and complain? You could just [flame] and let the people who want the game get the game, and those who could care less, care less. Get the point? Now [flame]!
Brian @ Mar 16th 2006 12:02AM
"Hmm, last time I checked pretty much any developer could say "f*** you" to the consumers and stopmaking games for you to enjoy period."
Yeaaaaaaaaaaah... so the game companies are doing all of us a favor? We should be so greatful and just shovel over cash for anything they bless upon the underserving gaming masses.
Glenn @ Mar 16th 2006 12:29AM
Wow Brian, it seems you have completely reversed what he said. Mainly, you don't have to, nor should you buy a game not aimed at you. You certainly can whine about it, but why?
Wild Homes @ Mar 16th 2006 12:32AM
I actually think the art direction seems pretty hilarious. I also think that people wistfully pleading for a return to banjo-kazooie should maybe remember that banjo-kazooie was a lame mario64 clone to start with, and it's not like the series has continued on (to suck, like on the GBA)... just because you don't clearly remember something doesn't make it current and awesome. and again, like others have said, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY IT. I think it'd be great to have, even if it's just a gamefly rental-- hell, I think I'm all for just about any title to come to the 360-- so everyone can play everything they want. but I guess that's not the shared sentiment by a lot of [flame] who will boo any title that isn't specifically the one they feel entitled to.