The controls for Harvest Moon are simple and intuitive. You control your character from an overhead point of view and the controls do not change at any point in the game.
DIRECTIONAL PAD (UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT) - Moves Jack vertically and horizontally in the direction pressed. Y-BUTTON - Uses the tool in the active hand. - At the pond on the mountain, use the Y button to cast the fishing rod into the water.
X-BUTTON - Toggles between the two tools you are carrying.
B-BUTTON - Cancels a selection or closes a screen. - Used to sprint. You will sprint in the direction you are facing so long as the button is held. - Used to jump over the fence on your ranch and off cliffs at the mountain.
A-BUTTON - This is the main action button. It is used to speak with people, pick up items, examine objects, or interact with anything else. - Selects a command on a menu screen.
R-BUTTON - Causes Jack to whistle and summon his horse. It is most effectively used when standing in a straight line facing the horse.
L-BUTTON - Causes Jack to whistle and summon his dog. This is the easiest way to move the dog. It is most effectively used when standing in a straight line facing the dog.
START - This exits the demo and takes you to the title screen. It is not used during the game otherwise.
SELECT (Z-button if using a Gamecube controller on the Virtual Console) - This brings up the menu screen, which displays the date, money, and shows the item in Jack's active hand. This effectively pauses the game. It can not be used while holding an item.