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The first Harvest Moon game appeared on the Super NES two years ago, and has since built up a cult following amongst gamers who were prepared to put aside their preconceived notions of what a farming simulator would entail. After all, let's face it, the notion of someone wanting to play a farming game ranks fairly high on the list of "unlikely games". However, Harvest Moon GB should surprise even the most cynical of you.

Harvest Moon is reminiscent in style to Nintendo's ever-popular Pokémon series, where players raise creatures - in Pokémon's case it was one of a wide variety of monsters, whilst Harvest Moon GB is concerned with the more down-to-earth likes of the humble cow, chicken and assorted vegetables.

The plot of the game is that the player inherits a farm from the Spirit - a sort of deceased ghost of farmers past - who wants to see the abandoned farm that's located outside of the town restored to its previous glory. Sound simple? Well, you'll soon find that it's a daunting task at first, as there are many options and obstacles to overcome and you only have a year to turn the farm's fortunes around. But, as with most games of this depth (and Harvest Moon GB has plenty of the latter), is that as soon as you've mastered the basic ideas and controls - like remembering to stick your crops in the shipping bin before 5pm everyday - the gameplay becomes extremely rewarding.

The first task awaiting any potential Harvest Moon GB farmer - after you've decided whether you want to play as either a male or female farmer - is making sure that your land is fit for sowing crops. This entails the player going to the Tool Shop and selecting the hammer and sickle. One of the great things about this game is that you're given a guided tour of the farm at the beginning of the game, so navigating your way around your new property isn't too hard. The hammer and sickle are used to smash up rocks and cut down the weeds, and once the work has started on the fields you soon notice how quickly time flows in the game. In fact, each virtual day runs for around two minutes, which means you've got approximately over 700 hours to get things sorted - now that's a lot of gaming for your money!

The farmer soon becomes tired after his exertions, and he lets you know in no uncertain terms! During an average farming day, the character will either sigh, mop his brow or even temporarily flop to the ground if he becomes too tired. The only way around it is to make sure that the farmer has something to eat or takes a nice relaxing dip in one of the hot springs which are dotted around the farm.

To break up the routine of tending your crops, the local town is great for popping into and stocking up on provisions. The Juice Bar is also the place to go for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage (hey, this is a Nintendo game, so don't expect any beer or vodka on tap). Just when you think you've got this farming game sussed, along comes an 'unexpected event' - earthquakes and typhoons are the most unpleasant of which, but there's always the annual Christmas party and Spring picnic to look forward to.

Since this is a Nintendo title, Harvest Moon GB has the cuteness factor turned up to ten, which is obvious in the childlike quality inherent in the way the characters bob around on the screen - even the cows and chickens have a certain charm, and it's easy to become attracted to them during your daily farming routines. Athough the life of a Harvest Moon farmer can be a solitary one, there are Harvest Sprites hiding underneath the farm's tool shed. They tend to be a bit shy if disturbed, and it can be easy to accidentally bash them on the head whilst tending to the weeds and rocks (believe us, we've done it and the Sprites certainly don't like it!) Take the Game Boy Color magazine's top tip, and that's to give any Harvest Sprites you see some mushrooms. The little gnome-like creatures love them and could reward you with magic tools which will make your farming life that little bit easier.

Like Pokémon, players can link up with friends and swap supplies, livestock and assorted bits and bobs with other Harvest Moon GB gamers. This is done by using the Game Link cable, and by 'telephoning' each other using the phone in the farmer's house. The latter is a particularly nice touch, as it keeps the player within the Harvest Moon universe, rather than interrupting the flow of the gameplay.

This is farming for those who don't like getting up early, and would prefer to tend their crops from the comfort of their armchair. If this type of game sows your field, then take note that Harvest Moon GB is now on sale from all good Game Boy stockists.