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In a first for a Microsoft gaming franchise, Viva Pinata will have new installments on the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo DS out in North America this September. THQ hasn’t announced a concrete date for Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise, but Microsoft confirmed Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise will come out on September 2nd in North America. Europe gets the Xbox 360 sequel three days later on September 5th.
Unlike NIS America’s debacle, Microsoft should profit from releasing two Viva Pianta games in close proximity. Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise is a retooled version of the Xbox 360 game, Viva Pinata, with some cutscenes from the TV show. Kids who like the show and already own a DS can convince their parents to buy them Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise. After beating Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise the insatiable hunger for a new game will kick in. Providing Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise is up to par, the meatier Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise should be an appetizing next meal. With a comparatively reasonably price Wii already sitting at home, kids can nag their parents to purchase an Xbox 360 with Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise as a holiday present.
I’m not 100% sure this was Microsoft’s intention, although the plan is so simple it’s likely someone in the marketing department designed Hudson Horstachio as a Trojan horse.
Images courtesy of Microsoft.
