Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Disappointed At All!, September 9, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
First I want to say that the graphics on this game are so amazing! Bright beautiful colors. It really brings out the best of Viva Pinata on XBox 360. The graphics of course won't be EXACTLY like the 360 version, but they are great for Nintendo DS. Right up there with the graphics on Animal Crossing.
When you first start the game there is a tutorial. I was very happy with this, because it wasn't as long as the one on 360. The 360 instructions seemed to go on forever. This was very easy and quick, and everything is easy to understand, easy to control.
You still get the basic tools like the shovel (Tap, Whack, and Make Dirt), watering can, and grass packet. Planting the seeds are the same as on 360. Get a seed from Seedos or at the store, decide where you want it, press the Plant button. Water it, and be sure you don't OVER water it or they will die.
In this game there are garden personalities. Which just means you will see a funny episode every now and then, and it is to bring excitement and entertainment into the game. The episodes are set up just like the Viva Pinata series on TV.
Game Modes:
Garden-This will be your main garden, and basically the game. Be a gardener and Pinata raiser to attract new residents. Try to aim towards 100% completion or make your own personal garden goals.
Episodes-Allows you to play any Episode that you've unlocked. New Episodes will become available as you make progress in the main garden, and playing through Episodes will grant you knowledge of more advanced techniques and tactics.
Playground-As the name suggests, this is the quick and easy way to create a temporary garden where everything is free. Use it to experiment, test your ideas and practice strategies for improving your real garden.
The Game Screen: You will have an events window telling you all the happenings of your garden, Requirements and Terrain Info (which gives you a percent on how much grass, dirt, etc. that you have.), Overhead Map, Clock and Experience Gauge, Gardener level and Game experience, Tool Icon, Switch Screen Icon, Shop Icons, and Scroll Screen Icon.
As in the 360 version you will still get the Alerts that will keep you informed on everything going on in the garden. Touch the Icon and it will show you on the map where the event is taking place, and take you directly to it.
Shovel and Watering Can will still be upgraded.
To get Pinatas to your garden you have to attract them. For instance, a worm will attract a Sparrowmint (Bird) into the garden. Fruits, veggies, seeds will also attract certain pinatas. When you have a visitor, see what it's requirements are to become a resident. Fill those requirements and you have a new friend.
You will also get more garden space when you level up. The more you romance your pinatas, become experienced in gardening, you will get more space to do this all with.
Each pinata will want it's own type of house. Houses provide safety and happiness, and also allow you to romance your pinatas. You have to romance to move up in the game. Have more than one of the same type of Pinata? Then it is time to build a house for them.
For a pinata to romance you have to meet the requirements. Some pinatas might need to eat certain things before they are able to romance. It is easy to just take a quick look and see what you need to do to begin the process. Every pinata is different.
Sell all the seeds you grow! This will help you to get more money. There are two stores: The General Store and the Building Store.
Candy: Broken Pinatas produce candy, and when other pinatas eat this candy they become happy. Sour Candy is spread and left in your garden by the sour pinatas, if eaten it can make a pinata sick and then you will have to call the doctor. Romance Candy allows you to skip the romancing requirements process and go straight to the egg.
The trouble you might see in your garden: Sour Pinatas that cause nothing but trouble, Fights between pinatas, Ruffians who are there to destroy your garden, and Weeds that try to kill your garden plants.
Trading: The in-game post office opens when you reach a certain level. Through it you can trade seeds, plants, and Pinatas (including accessorized ones) with friends over the Nintendo DS WI-FI communications process. Follow on screen instructions that show you how to send and receive crates. You can only have one crate at a time in your garden.
Success is measured on how valuable your garden is. Everything you put in your garden, your pinatas, plants. Make your garden as valuable as possible to achieve your goals in this game.
Overall, this game is a wonderful game! There is so much to do in it, so much to learn. Fascinating, exciting, addictive, and holds your attention. SO FUN!
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Viva La Pinata, September 15, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
First off, I have to say WOW!
It is incredible how much fidelity to the original game there is.
The big difference in graphics besides the obvious De-Rezing required to get this title on the DS is that you have only the front isometric view. This view can not be spun around, so sometimes it can be difficult to see pinatas around trees. However, I did not realize I was missing this feature till I was a few hours into the game. So, to me, it was not a big deal.
What you do get is the ability to play this game anywhere and not tethered to the TV. For me, that was big. You can play in little increments. Close the lid and the DS pauses the game. Open the lid and pick up later right where you left off.
The other feature that is a big improvement is the touch screen funtionality. Being able to quickly manuver through your garden and select your tools quickly kept this game from being tedious.
Unlike the 360 version, there is no silly maze to navigate when your pinatas romance. This really sped the game up. I am very happy to see that go since it used to drive me nuts.
If you have a collector type personality and enjoyed that aspect in games like Pokemon, this game is for you. I loved attacting new pinatas to my garden. Growing plants and trees. Getting Pinatas to change and evolve. It's just great fun.
I would reccomend this to anyone who liked Pokemon, Animal crossing, or Harvest moon
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Comparable to the Original!!, October 5, 2008
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
Since I am in transit from one place or another, and often am looking for something to occupy my time during those times, I picked up Viva Pinata:Pocket Paradise on the urging of my brother, who plays the XBox version.
I am not disappointed! It is a very interactive game and it keeps you thinking every step of the way. It reminds me of Sims2 in that you have to be very diligent in caring for your pinatas. So anyone who is a hardcore Simmie will take to this game well.
The only disappointment is that the sounds (apart from the opening intro) are very low - so if you are somewhere noisy, you won't hear some of the warning sounds from the game (like when a Ruffian is messing up your garden).
Other than that, I am very happy with it!
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