Viva Piñata (video game)

Viva Piñata is a 2006 life simulation game developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360. The game revolves around the player tending to a neglected garden on Piñata Island, in which different variations of piñatas based on animals must be bred whilst fending off disruptive interlopers. The project was headed by Gregg Mayles and the team behind the Banjo-Kazooie series, based on an idea from Rare co-founder Tim Stamper. Microsoft wanted the game to become a key franchise for the platform, and developed a tie-in television series to accompany the series.

A Windows version, handled by Climax Group, was released in November 2007. The game started the Viva Piñata series, with a direct sequel and a portable version both released in 2008. Viva Piñata is included in Rare's 2015 Rare Replay, a compilation of 30 games for the Xbox One.

The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised the graphics, color palette, soundtrack, replay value, numerous types of piñatas, and strategic gameplay. Much of the game's criticism was drawn to the disruption caused by frequent autosaving. Viva Piñata was nominated for several awards, including those from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Parents' Choice Awards. Since its initial release, Viva Piñata has been regarded as an underrated title by numerous critics,^[1] with many noting it for aging well compared to modern video games,^[2] and is often remarked as a cult classic.^[2][3]