Which Harvest Moon?

[Jorpho]

Another series which I sometimes thought about trying out but never actually did was Harvest Moon.

There seems to be considerable variation in the favor shown to the various incarnations of this game. Last I checked, the GBA version, Friends of Mineral Town, was considered supreme, but that was a long time ago.

(I suppose there will one day be an HG101 article for this series that will answer everything, but there isn't one yet, alas.)

[Haoie]

Did you know that Friends of Mineral Town [and More] is based of the PS1 game?

That being Back to Nature.

[onReload]

This might sound like a pointless reply, but I've only played the one on SNES years ago.

More recently I found that I didn't have the patience for it, but as a kid in grade school, I thought it was great and was amazed that I was actually enthralled with a game about...farm life.

So if a simpler concept works for you...Start at the beginning, I think.

[roushimsx]

More recently I found that I didn't have the patience for it, but as a kid in grade school, I thought it was great and was amazed that I was actually enthralled with a game about...farm life.

I felt the same way about Harvest Moon and Sim Farm. Both games seem completely opposite to anything that'd remotely appeal to me, but god damn if they didn't keep me hooked. Hell, Sim Farm was damn near edutainment.

As far as the best Harvest Moon games go, most people seem to stand by Back to Nature (PS1), Harvest Moon 64 (N64) and Magical Melody (GC) while I've heard nothing but rampant complaining about A Wonderful Life (GC) and Save the Homeland (PS2). Everything else kind of falls between those five, though I have a personal bias towards the SNES game since I was so thoroughly addicted to it at the time.

Recently, I picked up Shepherd's Crossing (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/886/886916p1.html) based on its similarities to the Harvest Moon games. Haven't gotten a chance to play it yet and the reviews haven't been terribly kind, but it does sound sort of interesting.

[The Shawn]

My wife has them all, And magical melody reigns supreme in her opinion.

On a side note, I found Harvest moon N64 to be an unenjoyable mess IMHO.

[boatofcar]

I've played Back to Nature and the SNES original, and Back to Nature is superior in every way. I shouldn't have sold it when I sold off most of my collection :(

[incubus421]

Yes the two biggest ones for me are of course the original on the SNES and my other favorite is hands down Back to Nature on PS1...I'd say it's probably the best in the series.

[Jorpho]

What about Rune Factory for the DS? (And wasn't there another one coming out for the DS as well?)

[sirhansirhan]

I'm a big fan of the series, and my favorite one is Magical Melody on the Gamecube. Second best is Harvest Moon 64, and third best is the SNES original.

[Coldguy]

1) Friends (or more friends) of mineral town
2) Harvest Moon 64
3) Harvest Moon Psx
4) Harvest Moon SNES
5) Harvest Moon 2 (GBC)

They be my top 5.

[Steven]

Should also be noted that HM (SNES) is one of the most expensive games in the entire US SNES library. Cart only copies tend to go for 50+, far more than even Earthbound and Chrono Trigger, which can be had for 40 shipped with patience and luck. It took me many moons before I found HM at an acceptable price.

Not sure how much the PS1 version goes for, but the SNES one will cost you a pretty penny, and it's semi-rare. It wasn't as mass-produced at EB/CT were.

[Coldguy]

Should also be noted that HM (SNES) is one of the most expensive games in the entire US SNES library. Cart only copies tend to go for 50+, far more than even Earthbound and Chrono Trigger, which can be had for 40 shipped with patience and luck. It took me many moons before I found HM at an acceptable price.

Not sure how much the PS1 version goes for, but the SNES one will cost you a pretty penny, and it's semi-rare. It wasn't as mass-produced at EB/CT were.

I was lucky to pick up my copy at Funcoland for $30 bucks :D, also the PSX one can go from 10-15 depending on how patient you are.

[Borman]

Ive always preferred the SNES one or the first Gameboy version, which was really one of the first I really got into (long car rides do that to you..).

[chrisbid]

Should also be noted that HM (SNES) is one of the most expensive games in the entire US SNES library. Cart only copies tend to go for 50+, far more than even Earthbound and Chrono Trigger, which can be had for 40 shipped with patience and luck. It took me many moons before I found HM at an acceptable price.

Not sure how much the PS1 version goes for, but the SNES one will cost you a pretty penny, and it's semi-rare. It wasn't as mass-produced at EB/CT were.

which makes the virtual console price of 8 dollars an absolute steal

[Jorpho]

I figured the SNES version would be one of the least likeable ones, what with its strict time limit.

[PDorr3]

I actually really enjoyed Save the Homeland on PS2, maybe because it was my first HM experience, but I played others after and they never matched its charm.

[boatofcar]

I figured the SNES version would be one of the least likeable ones, what with its strict time limit.

There's just not as much to do in the SNES one as all the other ones. There's not as many activities like festivals and stuff that you can participate in.