I haven't actually played the original, but I played HM64, and W Wonderful Life, and enjoyed both quite a lot. I never actually got around to beating either one, as they both took a very long time, but I got pretty far in each. It's a pretty awesome series, and I'm hoping to get back into it!

We had a chance-rental with this game.  I don't even remember how we came across it at Blockbuster, or if I was there to select it....I think maybe one of my younger brothers found it actually.


But yep.... I definately got it on the VC.  One of my favorite games of all time, even the original.  It's a tough fight between the SNES and N64 versions...the SNES game has awesome music, GREAT presentation, and it was just a great game for the time.  The N64 game ramps things up with the GREAT visuals and character-profile-pictures, which are different depending on their mood and whatnot, and there was the hearts that were visible on their shoulders, rivals for the girls, inclusion of sheep(I think they were in this one), more interactive festivals, and a really good atmosphere overall.  The only problems with the N64 version that I can remember is that in some places the music wasn't quite as good, and of course later on, the PS1 had advances that the N64 version didn't have like tomato-fights and especially the recipes you can actually USE.

But for the games afterward...well, they were good, but not great.  The music was almost absent in Wonderful Life, the GCN version ended after the chapters were completed(it was a VERY linear game in that respect), and yet the PS2 version was open-ended(WHY?).  It also lacked anything interesting besides doing what you had to do.

Almost the same complaint for Magical Melody....while it was VERY close to the SNES/N64 versions, it was missing the charm(and music) of the originals.  Festivals were merely 'show up the first time and get a magical-note' sort of things, and weren't interesting to go to at all.  It had a lot of awesome things to do, such as fishing and cooking(LOTS of cooking), but it was all very FLAT in the end.  (Plus, I hated that girls and other people would move away if you didn't give them stuff, and it was difficult just giving things to 'your girl', let alone ALL of them.)

So while the SNES version is a bit basic, it's still one of my favorites.  Sad that night-cheating is there, but........oh well... :>  The days are so short in this game you might as WELL have night-cheating(it's not like you can make money, just chop wood anyway).