Games like Animal Crossing and FarmVille borrow many ideas from Natsume's Harvest Moon series, which made its U.S. debut in 1997 on the Super NES. Harvest Moon has since appeared on several different formats, from handhelds to consoles, but all feature the same basic premise: building a farm into a profitable business. To do so, you'll need to purchase animals, crops, and equipment, then "work" the land to prepare for a bountiful harvest. Romance, marriage, and even having children are all possible in advanced versions of the quirky series.