We've got a double co-op feature this week.  First up is Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise for the Xbox 360.  The title features a recently announced 4 player co-op mode for both online and offline play.  The game is similar to the Animal Crossing series from Nintendo, but has some zany humor and plenty of gardening goodness with pinatas to pop and populate.

Next up is Mercenaries 2: World in Flames which is available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PC.  The game features 2 player co-op for both online and offline play including drop in and drop out support online.  The game is an open world playground of destruction where you'll complete missions in a war zone as a mercenary.  I've been playing a good bit of this and it's a total blast, the co-op has a solid Crackdown vibe to it.

Both games should hit store shelves tomorrow, September 3rd.

"The game features 2 player co-op for both online and offline play"

Are you meaning via system link? Because I was under the impression that there was no split screen or shared screen option.

"The game features 2 player co-op for both online and offline play including drop in and drop out support online."

When you say offline co-op, do you mean via system link? Because I was under the impression that there was no split/shared screen option.

I found a few previews that mention split screen play. Maybe they changed it?

I'll get confirmation.

From what I've gleaned from the internet, it was a function they had originally planned on, but 'technology' limitations prevented them from doing it. I guess if its sandbox, it makes sense, but it was a tremendous dissapointment to me. It dropped the title from a 'must buy' to a 'will buy when the price drops and I'm finished with my 15 other games waiting to be played'.

Viva Pinata with proper co-op might be worthwhile though. I played the original with my son a bit, but having to share cursors was a pain in the ass. Apparently with the 4 player co-op, everyone has their own.

Yup - I just got official confirmation from PR - No Split Screen Play. I've updated our entry and the database.

Did you let them know how dissapointed we are, collectively?

I hope you let them know how dissapointed we, as a collective, are.

"The game features 2 player co-op for both online and offline play including drop in and drop out support online."

When you say offline co-op, do you mean via system link? Because I was under the impression that there was no split/shared screen option.

Yup - I just got official confirmation from PR - No Split Screen Play. I've updated our entry and the database.

Yup - I just got official confirmation from PR - No Split Screen Play. I've updated our entry and the database.

Did you let them know how dissapointed we are, collectively?

Did you let them know how dissapointed we are, collectively?