Microsoft breaks out Viva Pinata DS
So that's why Rare still has a handheld team
Originally designed for PDAs, the 'Grow A Garden' sim that morphed into a (arguably rather-early-in-the-cycle) kids' game for the Xbox 360 is heading back to source, as Microsoft took the opportunity provided by the comic book convention, Comic-Con 07, in the US to announce the much hinted version of Viva Piñata for DS.
Of course, there will have to be a major switch of graphical style for the franchise as a result of a new top-down perspective. The control system, too, is expected to be modified in order to make full use of the stylus/touchscreen combo, with a draggable hand icon high on the list of possibilities.
As for the potential for interesting online options – a la creature trading mode of Pokémon – few details have emerged but we reckon it would be vital.
There's no official release date yet either, but we'd expect you'd be able to break open your digital piñata in time for Christmas.
