Harvest Moon GB (1997). Play online

Summary

Harvest Moon GB was the first portable adventure of the series, dropping on the original Game Boy before a later color version arrived. You start by naming yourself and picking either a boy or a girl, then the spirit of the late grandfather appears, charging you with becoming the next Ranch Master.

Every season dictates which seeds will sprout, and you must water them daily until harvest; the profit goes into the shipping bin while two mushrooms can be collected from your cellar each day. Choosing a dog protects chickens from wild dogs, while a cat wards off moles that would eat your crops.

A horse arrives early and can later be ridden or used for transport, and cows and chickens provide milk and eggs that can be turned into cheese, butter, or hatched. As you improve your axe, hoe, hammer, and watering can into “super” versions, new items like a fishing rod, pickaxe and umbrella appear once the grandfather deems your farm worthy.

Critics praised its charming, child‑like tone – Nintendo Power gave it a 7.2, GameSpot a 7.4 and Total Game Boy called the experience “extremely rewarding.”

Storyline

At the beginning of Harvest Moon GB, the player is visited by the spirit of their deceased grandfather. He asks the newcomer to take over the family farm and become the next Ranch Master. The grandfather’s ghost emphasizes the importance of hard work and promises to watch the farm’s progress. Each winter, he returns to evaluate how well the player has managed the land. His assessments determine whether the player is on track to fulfill the Ranch Master legacy.