Special Anniversary Packaging, Plush Toys, Strategy Guides and an
Exclusive DS Lite Kit Just Some of the Specialty Items that will
Commemorate the Beloved Series

Burlingame, Calif., July 7, 2008 - Natsume, a worldwide developer and
publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today that the
company is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of its popular Harvest
Moon franchise this summer. In commemoration of the anniversary,
Natsume is launching two new Harvest Moon titles later this quarter
and offering a host of retail promotions surrounding the launches.

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS and Harvest Moon:
Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii will both be available at
retail later this summer, and will be branded with special packaging
marking the 10th anniversary. In addition, a line of collectible plush
toys featuring the cute and friendly animal characters from the games
will also be available as a pre-order bonus/gift with purchase at
select retailers. Other special promotions surrounding the anniversary
include an exclusive 10th anniversary Harvest Moon DS Lite Kit (with
protective cover, stylus, screen wipe and more) and two new strategy
guides from BradyGames.

The Harvest Moon series began ten years ago when it launched on the
Super Nintendo. Since then, the RPG/Simulation series has garnered a
large and loyal fan base, and has appeared on most every home and
handheld console available, including GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy
Advance, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation,
PlayStation2, PSP and soon the Nintendo Wii.

The series has sold millions of units in North America, with 20
incarnations over the course of 10 years. The games are usually set in
rural towns packed with interesting and friendly characters where the
player is tasked with running a successful farm, creating a family by
getting married, having children, and befriending the people in the
town to help build up their land. The games are great for players of
all ages because they provide wholesome, non-violent entertainment
anyone in the family can enjoy.

“The concept of Harvest Moon games is simple: hard-working people
should get rewarded for what they have done.  We want players to take
this concept they get in the game, and apply it to their real life,
too,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “We couldn’t be
happier that the series has caught on with so many fans. It’s their
tremendous enthusiasm and support that has kept the series growing and
evolving over these past ten years.”

Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness (DS)
In the largest portable Harvest Moon experience ever, Harvest Moon:
Island of Happiness for the Nintendo DS tasks players with building
their own paradise as they find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted
island.
Starting off with an abandoned farm, a handful of seeds, and the
determination to start a new life, it’s up to the player to attract
settlers by making their farm robust and the island prosper, By
harvesting crops, raising animals, and mining for precious gems,
gamers 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 boy or a girl while falling in love and
starting a family. For a competitive feel, gamers can also play
against other ranchers via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility (Wii)
In Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility for the Nintendo Wii, you find
yourself in a troubled island town which once prospered with life and
energy, but is now in serious trouble. The mystical Mother Tree that
once watched over the island has disappeared, and the Harvest Goddess
is nowhere to be found! The island has lost its connection with nature
and the inhabitants don’t know what to do - it’s up to you to save the
island! You must help to rebuild the island by tending to the earth,
befriending and raising animals, nurturing friendships, and creating a
family. When the giant Mother Tree is reborn, the Harvest Goddess will
return and bring prosperity to the island once again. Long-time
Harvest Moon fans as well as new players will find an exciting,
involving storyline and plenty of activities including cultivating
crops, caring for animals, and participating in festivals. All-new
controls for the Nintendo Wii Remote give players the chance to feel
like they’re really farming!

Both Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness and Harvest Moon: Tree of
Tranquility will be on display at this month’s E3 trade show in the
Los Angeles area and will be available at retail later this summer.

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