THQ has announced that Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is now available for the Nintendo DS. Developed by former Nintendo company, Rare, Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise brings the piñata farming antics of the Xbox 360 original and spreads it across two screens.

The story follows the growth of a neglected garden that the player must turn into a blossoming paradise. Featuring seven new piñatas, the game will also include a new Playground Mode, which allows players to work in conjunction with friends right off the bat using the Nintendo DS local wireless connection. Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise will have a tie to the Viva Piñata TV show as it will have 12 different levels based on episodes. Additionally, players with an Xbox Live Vision Camera will be able to photograph in-game cards to unlock features in the recently released Xbox 360 Viva Piñata sequel, Trouble in Paradise.

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is rated E for Everyone and retails $29.99.

Gardens Bloom on the Nintendo DS™ with the Launch of THQ’s Viva Piñata®: Pocket Paradise™

Fall Has Never Looked Greener with the Wildly Popular Viva Piñata Series Pollinating the Nintendo DS for the First Time in Franchise History

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced that Viva Piñata®: Pocket Paradise™ is now available exclusively for Nintendo DS™ at major retail outlets worldwide. Based on the critically acclaimed original Viva Piñata game from Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the game will allow players to utilize their creativity to develop the ultimate piñata paradise with the swipe of a stylus. Developed by Rare Ltd., the creators of the original and highly-acclaimed Viva Piñata game, Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is rated "E" for Everyone and is now available for the suggested retail price of $29.99.

"With the continually growing market share of the Nintendo DS, THQ is pleased to bring the cherished Viva Piñata series to the system for the first time," said Terri Schiek, vice president, North American sales and distribution, THQ. "The intuitive interface of the Nintendo DS is perfectly suited for the open-ended and customizable gameplay in Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise. We expect the title to be a great addition to the handheld market as we head into the holiday season."

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise will allow players to inherit a neglected garden on Piñata Island and turn it into paradise through a number of activities including garden cleaning and decorating, vegetation growth and management, as well as piñata caretaking. As players watch their gardens grow, they will attract new piñatas, including seven brand new piñata species. A new Playground Mode will allow players to quickly create a fertile garden full of exciting and exotic piñatas, while numerous items may be shared among friends using the Nintendo DS local wireless connection. Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise will also include 12 playable levels based on actual episodes from the hit TV show. These garden scene environments are played through with guidance from some of the popular TV series characters such as Hudson Horstachio™, Fergy Fudgehog™ and Paulie Pretztail™.