The most underrated games of 2008

Some of these games were overlooked by the buying public, while others were unfairly dismissed by critics. Some were overshadowed by a rival in the same genre. Whatever the reason, they all share one thing in common -- they should have been bigger hits!

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise

After the truly risible Microsoft Viva Pinata: Party Animals, Trouble in Paradise was all too easy to dismiss as another soulless Pinata cash-in. It seemed that developer Rare was determined to bleed the original game’s reputation dry, with plush toys, animated TV shows and actual piñatas shoved down jaded shoppers' throats. Thankfully, it turns out that this 2008 sequel was just as endearing and fun as the first game — not that many people bothered to notice.

Trouble in Paradise once again charged you with micro-managing a garden filled with adorably sweet (and sweet-filled) Mexican toys. With more than 100 different piñatas to interact with — including 30 brand new species — the game was even more complex than its madcap predecessor. The introduction of tangible goals leant the game an addictive edge missing from the first game. Consequently, it felt less like a twee gardening experiment and more like a proper video game.

Despite scoring fairly well amongst critics, Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise failed to register on most gamers’ radars. We guess you were all too busy blowing off Locusts' heads in Gears of War 2 or something. For shame.

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