Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness

 DS
  • Publisher: Natsume
  • Release Date: Aug 26, 2008
Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness Image
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 26 Ratings

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  • Summary: You're shipwrecked on a deserted island. Starting with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to you to tame the land and make the island prosper. By farming crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, you'll help the island growYou're shipwrecked on a deserted island. Starting with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the determination to start a new life, it's up to you to tame the land and make the island prosper. By farming crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems, you'll help the island grow into a vibrant town bustling with people, businesses, and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Are you a good enough farmer to turn this island into a paradise? Play as a boy or as a girl. Attract settlers by building your farm. Fall in love and start a family. Explore the biggest portable Harvest Moon ever. Compete against other ranchers via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. [Natsume]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Nintendo Gamer
    86
    This is a labour of love rather than carefree gaming enjoyment, but it's one of the best "Moons" in a while. A very happy tenth birthday for the series. [Dec 2008, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    80
    The same old agricultural experience once again. Old means in this case comfortable, familiar and entertaining instead of boredom and repetition. If you love the series or have never tried any Harvest Moon game go get this and start farming asap. Others may be happier elsewhere. [Mar 2009]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. 1UP
    75
    The paper-thin storyline (you're shipwrecked on a remote island and decide to put down roots there) may be an inconsequential excuse for you to repeat the same core game of the past 11 years, but some small lessons learned along the way manage to shine through.
  4. Cheat Code Central
    66
    Overall, I was pretty happy with all the improvements that Island of Happiness made to the traditional Harvest Moon formula. However, I had serious issues controlling the game, and it was always a battle to get my character to do what I wanted.
  5. Worth Playing
    60
    Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness has a lot of potential to be good, if you are willing to put in the time to have it pay off.
  6. IGN
    58
    They just don't make them like they used to.
  7. Pocket Gamer UK
    40
    A considerable improvement on the first DS iteration, but still not the definitive Harvest Moon.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 2 out of 4
  1. mouser9169
    Mar 24, 2018
    9
    By building up your farm, you build up an entire island, in a way that organically makes sense. I know I'm in the minority, but one of myBy building up your farm, you build up an entire island, in a way that organically makes sense. I know I'm in the minority, but one of my favorite Harvest Moon titles. The controls do take getting used to. Full (pen) sized stylus helps a lot. After that though, you have a great title to get lost in.

    The island grows based not only upon what upgrades you buy (roads and such) but what you do. If you spend a lot of time in the mines and ship a bunch of valuable rocks, miners start to show up. Ship a lot of fish and fisherman flock to the rivers. Enough people come and a hotel opens for them. And so on and so on until you have a thriving island filled with villager and visitors.

    You have the festivals, and the marriage candidates, and all the things you'd expect in a HM game. You can make money farming, or ranching, or mining, or foraging, or any combination of the above, so the gameplay doesn't get stale. Wonderfuls are nice change to the tool upgrade system, and there are plenty of house and island upgrades for you to spend your money on.

    Overall, I give it an 8.5, rounded up to 9. It's not perfect, but to me, personally, it's a great game that captures the spirit of Harvest Moon.    … Expand
  2. BudB.
    Sep 1, 2008
    8
    It's not bad... it's just not unique enough from the other games. The stylus controls take some getting used too.
  4. JamesM.
    Aug 30, 2008
    0
    TERRIBLE controls, I can't get around how bad they are. NO D-PAD CONTROLS AT ALL. It'd be nice if the d-pad could be set to control TERRIBLE controls, I can't get around how bad they are. NO D-PAD CONTROLS AT ALL. It'd be nice if the d-pad could be set to control the character, but it can't. You can't even change ANY of the options. I love harvest moon, I played for twenty minutes before I couldn't stand it anymore. Wait until the next game, this one blows.… Expand
  5. JeanO.
    Aug 31, 2008
    0
    Using the stylus feels awkward and difficult, especially when farming. In any other game that isn't time sensitive, it may be ok but in Using the stylus feels awkward and difficult, especially when farming. In any other game that isn't time sensitive, it may be ok but in this game, you can't afford to spend hours just watering because the control isn't accurate. I have all previous Harvest Moons for all systems including the last one for the DS. This one isn't worth the money. No option for using the pad instead of the stylus? No way!!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best DS Game of 2008
58
#58 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
54
#54 Most Shared DS Game of 2008