Natsume Inc.

Last updated
Natsume
Company typePrivately held company
Industry Video game
FoundedMay 1988;36 years ago (1988-05)
Headquarters Burlingame, California, United States [1]
Key people
Hiro Maekawa (President)
Taka Maekawa (President, Natsume Inc Japan)
Products Harvest Moon
Reel Fishing
River King
Website www.natsume.com

Natsume Inc. is an American video game publisher. Originally established as an American division of Natsume Co., Ltd. in 1988, it split from its parent company in 1995 to become an independent publisher.

Contents

Natsume Inc. is located in Burlingame, California. [1] It is best known for publishing unique, family-oriented niche games, such as Harvest Moon and Reel Fishing. In 2013, Natsume Inc. inaugurated a Japanese division called Natsume Inc. Japan with no connection to its former parent company, Natsume Atari. [2]

History

Natsume Inc. was originally established as an American division of Natsume Co., Ltd. in San Francisco, California in May 1988. [3]

From the end of the Super NES era up until late 2014, Natsume Inc. was known for publishing the Story of Seasons games in North America under the title of Harvest Moon. The last game in the series it published was Harvest Moon: A New Beginning for the Nintendo 3DS. In 2015, the developer of the series, Marvelous AQL, brought the next game in the series, Story of Seasons , to North America with its own US branch, Xseed Games, ending the relationship it had with Natsume. Since then, Natsume Inc. has released its own games under the Harvest Moon name, starting with Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley , [4] continuing with Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories and Harvest Moon: Skytree Village . In 2013, Natsume Inc. opened up a development studio of its own, named Natsume Inc. Japan. [2]

Natsume Inc. has also operated an eBay shop, selling copies of older games sealed in their original packaging, collected from storage at its offices. At auction, the company sold a sealed copy of Pocky & Rocky for over $1,600. [5]

Works

These are games published by Natsume Inc. and/or developed by its subsidiary in Japan after becoming independent from Natsume Co., Ltd.

Most of these games were only published by Natsume in North America, although some reached Europe under the Natsume name through distribution deals with European companies, and some digital releases were self-published by Natsume in Europe.

YearTitleDeveloperPlatforms(s)Ref.
1995 Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals Neverland SNES
1996 Casper Bonsai Entertainment Game Boy
Casper Imagineering SNES
Harvest Moon AmccusSNES
Highway 2000 Genki Sega Saturn
Virtual CasinoDigital FactorySega Saturn
Reel Fishing Victor Interactive Software PlayStation
1997 Harvest Moon GB Victor Interactive SoftwareGame Boy
Legend of the River King Victor Interactive SoftwareGame Boy
1998 Lode Runner Presage SoftwarePlayStation
Puzzle Bobble 4 Taito PlayStation
1999 Harvest Moon 64 Victor Interactive Software Nintendo 64
Harvest Moon 2 GBC Victor Interactive Software Game Boy Color
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature Victor Interactive SoftwarePlayStation
Hole in One Golf Natsume Co., Ltd.Game Boy Color
Legend of the River King Victor Interactive Software Game Boy Color
Legend of the River King 2 Tose Game Boy Color
2000 Harvest Moon 3 GBC Victor Interactive SoftwareGame Boy Color
Reel Fishing II Victor Interactive SoftwarePlayStation
Turnabout Artdink PlayStation
2001BursTrick: Wake Boarding!!Metro CorporationPlayStation
Car Battler Joe Ancient Game Boy Advance
Metropolismania Indi PlayStation 2
Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland Victor Interactive Software PlayStation 2
Lufia: The Legend Returns Neveland/Natsume Co., Ltd.Game Boy Color
Pocky & Rocky with Becky AltronGame Boy Advance
Skydiving ExtremeMetro CorporationPlayStation
2002 Chulip Punchline PlayStation 2
Gekioh Shooting KingWarashiPlayStation
Medabots Natsume Co., Ltd.Game Boy Advance
Medabots AX: Metabee/Rokusho Version Natsume Co., Ltd.Game Boy Advance
2003BlockidsAthenaPlayStation
CIMA: The Enemy Neverland Game Boy Advance
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Marvelous Entertainment PlayStation 2, GameCube
Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town Marvelous EntertainmentGame Boy Advance
Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town Marvelous EntertainmentGame Boy Advance
Medabots Infinity Natsume Co., Ltd.GameCube
Reel Fishing III Victor Interactive Software PlayStation 2
2004 Finny the Fish & the Seven Waters SCEI PlayStation 2
2005 Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life Marvelous EntertainmentGameCube
Harvest Moon DS Marvelous Entertainment Nintendo DS
Harvest Moon DS Cute Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS
Harvest Moon: Magical Melody Marvelous EntertainmentGameCube
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature Victor Interactive Software PlayStation Portable
Reel Fishing: The Great OutdoorsNatsume Inc.PlayStation Portable
River King: A Wonderful Journey Marvelous EntertainmentPlayStation 2
2006 Ruff Trigger: The Vanocore Conspiracy Playstos Entertainment PlayStation 2
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Neverland Nintendo DS
Freedom Wings Taito Nintendo DS
Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon ArtePiazza PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Metropolismania 2 IndiPlayStation 2
Captain Tsubasa Namco Bandai Games PlayStation 2
2007 Hi Hamtaro! Little Hamsters Big Adventure AlphaDream/Marvelous Entertainment Nintendo DS
Harvest Moon DS: Island of Happiness Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS
Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Marvelous Entertainment Wii
River King: Mystic Valley Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS
Puzzle de Harvest Moon Platinum-Egg Inc.Nintendo DS
2008Adventures to GoGlobal A EntertainmentPlayStation Portable [6]
Afrika Rhino Studios PlayStation 3
Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS
Harvest Moon DS: Sunshine Islands Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS
Harvest Moon: Animal Parade Marvelous EntertainmentWii
Princess Debut Cave Nintendo DS
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Neverland Nintendo DS
2009 Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming Platinum-EggNintendo DS, iOS [7]
Rune Factory 3: A Fantasy Harvest Moon NeverlandNintendo DS [8]
Reel Fishing Angler's DreamSIMSWii [9]
Reel Fishing ChallengeSIMSWii [10]
Harvest Moon: My Little Shop h.a.n.d. Wii [11]
Moki MokiNatsume Co., Ltd.Wii [12]
Animal Kingdom: Wildlife ExpeditionNatsume Co., Ltd.Wii [13]
2010Cheer we GoNatsume Co., Ltd.Nintendo DS, iOS [14]
Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley Marvelous Entertainment PlayStation Portable [15]
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns Marvelous EntertainmentNintendo DS [16]
Lufia: Curse of the Sinistrals Neverland/Square Enix Nintendo DS [17]
Reel Fishing Challenge IINatsume Inc.Wii [18]
Witch's Wish Yuke's Nintendo DS [19]
2011 Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny Neverland PlayStation 3 [20]
Reel Fishing Paradise 3DNatsume Nintendo 3DS [21]
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns Marvelous Entertainment Nintendo 3DS [22]
Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove 3DNatsumeNintendo 3DS [23]
2012Gabrielle's Monster MatchSanta EntertainmentiOS [24]
Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning Marvelous AQL Nintendo 3DS [25]
Mystic Chronicles Kemco PlayStation Portable [26]
2013Carnage Heart EXA Artdink PlayStation Portable [27]
Reel Fishing PocketNatsume Co., Ltd.iOS [28]
Gabrielle's Zombie AttackNatsume Inc.iOS [28]
Yumi's Odd Odyssey Studio SainenzenNintendo 3DS [29]
Hometown Story Hyde Inc/Toybox IncNintendo 3DS, iOS [30]
2014Gabrielle's Sweet DefenseNikukyu Co LtdiOS [28]
Gabrielle's Monstrous DuelNatsume Inc.iOS [31]
Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley Tabot Inc.Nintendo 3DS [32]
Hometown Story Pocket Natsume Inc.iOS [33]
Gotcha Racing Arc System Works Nintendo 3DS [34]
2015 Brave Tank Hero Arc System WorksNintendo 3DS, Wii U [35]
2016Harvest Moon: Seeds of MemoriesNatsume Inc.iOS [36]
Harvest Moon: Skytree VillageTabot, AJP GamesNintendo 3DS [37]
River City: Rival Showdown Arc System Works, AplusNintendo 3DS [38]
Super Strike Beach VolleyballArc System WorksNintendo 3DS [39]
Wild Guns Reloaded Natsume Atari Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows [40]
2017 Harvest Moon: Light of Hope Tabot, Inc.Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox One [41] [42]
River City: Knights of Justice Avit-NiigataNintendo 3DS [43]
2019Ninja ClimbLit A.F. GamesiOS [28]
Reel Fishing: Road Trip AdventureNatsume Inc., TachyonNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows [44]
Harvest Moon: Mad Dash AppciPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One [45]
2020Cosmic DefendersFiery SquirrelNintendo Switch [46]
Legends of EthernalLucid Dreams StudioNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One [47]
2021ConnecTankYummy Yummy Tummy, Tamatin EntertainmentNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [48]
Harvest Moon: One World Appci, Natsume Inc.Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One [49]
2022 Pocky & Rocky Reshrined Natsume AtariNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox Series X/S [50]
2023Harvest Moon: The Winds of AnthosAppci, Natsume Inc.Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S [51]
2024Harvest Moon: Home Sweet HomeNatsume Inc.Android, iOS [52]
Reel Fishing: Days of SummerNatsume Inc.Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S [53]

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References

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  13. "Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition". IGN. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  14. "We Got Spirit! How About YOU?". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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  18. "Prepare to be Hooked by Reel Fishing Challenge II!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  19. "A Spellbinding Adventure!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  20. "An Ocean of Possibilities!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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  22. "Trouble Boils Over in a Rural Rivalry!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  23. "Terror Up the Dance Floor!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  24. Sahdev, Ishaan (2012-02-08). "Gabrielle's Monster Match Grooves To The Beat Of A Puzzle Game". Siliconera . Gamurs . Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  25. "Completely Customize Your Farm and Town!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  26. "To Arms, Guardian Beasts!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  27. "Programmed For Fun!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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  29. "HOOK, LINE, AND THINKER!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  30. "A Tale of Life, Love, and Friendship!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  31. "Journey to the legendary Alcao!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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  33. "Open For Business!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  34. "Start Your Engines!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  35. "TAKE YOUR CITY BACK, BRAVE HERO!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
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  37. "Harvest Moon: Skytree Village – Home". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  38. "Big Trouble in River City!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  39. "King of the Beach!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  40. "SHOOTOUT AT HIGH NOON!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  41. "Light the Way!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  42. "Will You Be the Island's Light of Hope?". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  43. "Kunio Goes Medieval!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  44. "A Trip to Remember!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  45. "Multiplayer Farming Mayhem!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  46. "Protect the Cosmos!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  47. "Welcome to the World of Arkanys!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  48. "WARNING!! A HUGE TANK BATTLE IN NEW PANGEA!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  49. "A Harvest Moon with Global Appeal!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  50. "The Adventures of Pocky and Rocky Continue!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  51. "Explore the Amazing World of Anthos!". Natsume Inc. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
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