Harvest Moon 2 Hits Nintendo DS in US

Natsume has announced today that Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS has officially shipped, marking Natsume's ten year commemorative anniversary celebration for the popular Harvest Moon series. Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness will retail for $29.99.

The Harvest Moon phenomenon began ten years ago when it launched on the Super Nintendo. Since then, the RPG/Simulation series has sold millions of units in North America, garnered a large and loyal fan base, and has appeared on most every home and handheld console available, including Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation2, PSP, and the Nintendo DS. The celebration of a decade of Harvest Moon success includes special anniversary packaging, various retail promotions with special collectible pre-order plush toys, an exclusive 10th anniversary DS Lite Kit, strategy guides, and many more specialty items to commemorate the beloved Harvest Moon series.

"We are proud to mark the ten year anniversary of Harvest Moon with the launch of Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness on the Nintendo DS. The Harvest Moon series has really grown over the past ten years. We are happy to provide this exciting new Harvest Moon adventure, and we think that both our loyal fans and newcomers to the series will enjoy it tremendously."
- Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness brings the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever to the Nintendo DS! Players find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island. Starting off with nothing but an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to them to tame the land and develop this mysterious island into a bustling tropical paradise!

By harvesting crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, players will help the island grow into a vibrant town filled with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes! Players can take on the role of a male or female in their quest to find love and start a farming family.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness is a great game for players of all ages; it provides wholesome, non-violent entertainment that anyone in the family can enjoy. Players can also test their farming skills against each other and compete for prizes via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.