The world wide web is abuzz today with news that two previously released titles may make a debut on new consoles in the months to come.

First up, gamers are giddy with the possibility that Rare's Viva Pinata, originally an Xbox 360 title, may make its way to handheld gaming madness via the Nintendo DS. This rumor comes courtesy of 1Up, and Shane Kim, Corporate VP of Microsoft Game Studios.

"I think it's fair to say that we're going to continue to invest in that property [Viva Pinata]," Kim said. "Whether that is in the form of a sequel, a product line extension or through merchandising, whatever the case may be, that's something that we're going to stick with." Or, as Kim pointed out as a DS title.

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However, Kim didn't leave the door open for titles to appear on Sony's handheld like he did with Nintendo's. " Whether you're talking about [publishing games on] mobile or the DS -- you probably won't see it on the PSP, though."

So, we have a confirmation that Microsoft is going to keep building on the Viva Pinata franchise, and we also know that, if that franchise goes handheld, it will likely go DS. It seems many things must fall into place before this dream comes true, but it is a very distinct possibility.



The second rumor has to do with Okami, originally published for the PS2, finding its way to the Nintendo Wii. This buzz comes courtesy of IGN a Rupert Murdoch publication. I mention the Rupert Murdoch aspect because, like most Rupert Murdoch properties (think Fox News and The New York Post), IGN has taken something its readers hope is true (who wouldn't want Okami for the Wii?), given it a headline suggesting as much ("Okami Leaping onto Wii"), then backs the headline with the following: "Officially it's not happening but it's by no means a flat-out denial". Sounds uncomfortably close to Fox's reporting of the U.S. going to war with Iran.

Granted, I understand the desire to make this title something that's playable on the Wii, but I'd prefer something a little more substantial (like the Viva Pinata rumor) before video game "news" sites publish such news. Now I'm left to daydream about something that's no more likely to happen than a gruesome slayfest hitting the Wii. Wait a minute....