Release Dates
| Platform | North America | Europe |
|---|---|---|
|
DS |
September 12, 2006 |
April 2007 |
Harvest Moon DS was the first game in the series to come to Nintendo’s dual-screen portable console. Harvest Moon DS maintained a similar feel to the GameCube releases, Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town and Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life. Fans of the latter would no doubt recognize the premise and location as they greeted Takakura once again in Forget-Me-Not Valley.
The game took place a century after the events of Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life with all the characters, including the player, serving as descendants from that earlier game. Harvest Moon DS shared the same character names and traits from the GameCube world. The goal of the game, however, was entirely new: the player had to return 101 Harvest Sprites and rescue the Harvest Goddess, who had been petrified by the Witch Princess.
Harvest Moon DS utilized the new portable’s dual screen during mini-games and also by using the touchscreen to manipulate the backpack, diary, and inventory. Diligent farmers could obtain a special in-game Glove that allowed players to pet their farm animals using the touchscreen.
Fun Facts
- Once returned to Forget-Me-Not Valley, the Harvest Sprites could then play casino games with the player, such as poker and blackjack. The medals won gambling could be used to hire the Harvest Sprites to work the fields!
- Extra content, including characters from Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, could be unlocked by inserting the GBA cartridge into an original DS or DS Lite.
- The 101 Harvest Sprites were divided into two teams, one of which could be hired to help the player, while the other Harvest Sprites served to run the casino and television station.
- The pet dog could be trained to play fetch, as well as serve as a guard dog, chasing away wild dogs. But be careful! The game ended prematurely if your dog attacked Mayor Thomas of Mineral Town!
- It was also possible to end the game early by donating a Level 100 Toadstool to the Harvest Festival. The highly toxic mushroom would kill off the player, forcing the credits to roll.