10 More Games that Deserve a Sequel

4. Viva Piñata

People really like developer Rare. Well, let's rephrase that: People really used to like developer Rare. Once responsible for a glimmer in many a childhood, the studio has lost its spark now. Whereas previous examples talked about early projects that were ditched for the new flesh, it's one of the developer's last efforts before tanking that should receive new life.

With its last bit of magic, Rare made a garden filled with the vivacity of some peculiar multicolored critters. Viva Piñata took building management ideas, borrowed Harvest Moon's animal husbandry and tied the studio's charming wit to it. Caring for animals tugs at the heart strings enough as it is, but when those creatures happen to be live candy dispensers, it's hard not to feel enamored. Each plot resident needed a few things, a nice fence or a neat flower or two, to make a house a home. If a piñata found another one and they hit it off, it was also possible to get some juicy mating going. This ritual manifested itself as a tense maze mini-game, much like in real life, where the end goal was to meet each other. Upon completing the trial, a video would show the hot action, usually in the form of some elaborate dance. With dozens of characters to breed, each needing their own stepping stones, tending a productive garden also had plenty of challenge for all age ranges, not including outside nuisances that existed solely to wreck the place. Sadly, after a mostly similar sequel, this bewitching location was never visited again.

So many more are waiting to clear their head with piñatas once more than there are people anxious to get frustrated by a new Battletoads. Our somber times could use an influx of color from a new Viva Piñata. Rare could use more of this game to show it still has that childlike wonder in its veins. Xbox One could use some more animation and exclusive content as well. Everyone would win if this garden would unlock its fence gate to take us away with the enjoyment of the simple things in life.

Posted: 5th Feb 2015 by Daav
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