The Sims franchise turns 25 this week, which is a large milestone in and of itself, however do you know simply what number of Sims video games there truly are? And I do not imply what number of growth packs or different bits of DLC are on the market (though that does actually add up at this level, consider me) – I imply absolutely stand-alone titles launched beneath The Sims model.
In the event you answered “4”, oh my candy summer time little one, have you ever acquired lots to be taught. Which is why in celebration of The Sims’ twenty fifth anniversary, I’ve put collectively this record of the 25 finest Sims video games from throughout the franchise’s quarter-century of historical past. Study and luxuriate in, and recognize the truth that I did even have to chop just a few spin-offs and amalgamate just a few in-name-only remakes simply to maintain the numbers down.
25. The Sims 2 House Pets
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Launched: 2008
This kinda-cute concept took place on the very finish of The Sims 2‘s life cycle: make a completely standalone Nintendo DS spin-off that mashes collectively the ideas of a few TS2’s in style growth packs. It is not precisely a beloved basic, nevertheless it does function some distinctive pet-centric minigames and a moderately candy story.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Launched: 2010
The sixth and, sadly, closing MySims recreation was admittedly not the top of the sub-franchise, and it’s a must to surprise if EA would not have been higher off sticking with the unique plan of constructing it a direct sequel to the superb MySims Brokers (see beneath). However it’s the solely Sims recreation the place you possibly can fly a airplane, and one of many few to make use of its story to overtly acknowledge the marginally dystopian undercurrent that feels prefer it’s at all times simply out of sight on the planet of The Sims.
23. The Sims Pet Tales
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Launched: 2007
The awkward center little one of The Sims Tales trilogy aimed, like its siblings, to convey the great world of The Sims 2 to gamers whose PCs (or extra doubtless laptops) have been too low-spec to wrangle the actual deal. One of many scripted storylines featured on this recreation ends with a rich relative generously donating her entire home to a poor cousin so she will keep on her honeymoon cruise eternally, and that is how Pet Tales will doubtless make you’re feeling: barely condescended to, however joyful that at the least you get to take a seat again and play with pet customisation with out setting your whole groin space on fireplace.
22. The Sims 2 Pets
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Moveable, Recreation Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Launched: 2006-2007
The one growth pack within the PC franchise’s historical past to obtain a completely stand-alone remake throughout most up to date consoles and handhelds (though an Xbox 360 port remained conspicuous in its absence), The Sims 2 Pets was visibly chasing Nintendogs’ tail in most of its iterations. The pets actually are the star of the present right here, and fulfilling these fuzzballs’ wishes is such a spotlight that the sport would possibly arguably have benefitted from jettisoning the human side altogether. (Bonus suggestion: when you’re interested by how that will’ve appeared, take a look at the 2009 Nintendo-exclusive duology SimAnimals and SimAnimals Africa.)
21. The Sims Social
Platform(s): Fb
Launched: 2011 (closed down in 2013)
The Sims Social is the one recreation on this record that you just cannot play in any respect any extra, which is definitely one thing of a triumph for recreation preservation when you concentrate on it. An try to benefit from the Farmville-inspired growth of social media-based video games, TSS sadly simply missed the height of that development, and ended up closing up store after solely a few years. It is nonetheless fondly remembered by many who performed it, nonetheless, and can also be noteworthy for being the one Sims recreation – amongst many to strive over time – to really get a collaboration with Girl Gaga off the bottom.
20. MySims
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Change
Launched: 2007-2008 (remastered in 2024)
The late 2000s to early 2010s noticed the groups liable for creating Sims spin-offs strive their palms at just about every part. MySims was EA’s try to place a Nintendo-first sub-franchise as a critical competitor to Animal Crossing, and in equity, they did not do too badly. MySims itself could also be pretty formulaic when you’re conversant in the supply materials, nevertheless it was cute and enjoyable sufficient to spawn 5 sequels (which took a shot at being every part from Mario-Occasion-but-Sims and Mario-Kart-but-Sims, and even dipped a toe into journey gaming), and not too long ago acquired the remaster therapy as a part of the MySims Cozy Bundle.
19. The Sims On-line
Platform(s): PC
Launched: 2002 (official servers closed down in 2008)
The Sims On-line used property from the unique Sims for PC to create a Second Life-esque social house for gamers to work together with each other’s avatars in real-time. It went about the way you’d anticipate, and is now finest remembered for being an completely chaotic melting pot of cyber brothels and beautiful trolling. And, as you’d additionally anticipate, it was beloved amongst a sure area of interest of gamers.
TSO formally went, effectively, offline in 2008, though numerous fan recreations have achieved pretty effectively since then. The final, sadly, shut down in December of final 12 months, however there is a truthful probability one other will crop up sometime, with EA seemingly content material to look the opposite method when and if it does.
18. The Urbz: Sims within the Metropolis (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Launched: 2004
The Urbz: Sims within the Metropolis is perhaps essentially the most mid-2000s online game conceivable. The Sims franchise as much as that time had been very a lot a suburban life simulator, presumably as a result of having a house gaming set-up was nonetheless seen as fairly a middle-class factor. The Urbz flipped that idea on its head and took a romanticised, aspirational view of inner-city residing that predicted your doubtless future employment within the gig economic system a great decade forward of schedule, however eased your fears of disappearing into the city jungle with a promise that you simply’d be smooching celebrities at a glitzy rooftop bar inside weeks of transferring into your dingy first condominium.
The hand held model of Urbz was higher obtained than this residence console version, admittedly; however the handheld model did not function an prolonged cameo by The Black Eyed Peas, so who actually received?
17. The Sims Life Tales
Platform(s): Home windows, Mac
Launched: 2007
The primary Sims Tales spin-off geared toward lower-end PCs did not depend on any fancy gimmicks, as a result of it understood that you can create some splendidly bizarre tales simply by profiting from what was already current in a pared-back model of The Sims 2 base recreation. Gamers who mainly view The Sims as a cleaning soap opera generator ought to really feel proper at residence with these outlandish tales, which begin with an evil ex-boyfriend conspiring to steal the inheritance of a beloved aunt, and finish with the Grim Reaper forcing a tech billionaire to decide on between his fortune and a lovely lady who’s simply been crushed by a falling satellite tv for pc.
16. The Sims Cell
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Launched: 2018
Regardless of receiving its closing content material replace in early 2024, The Sims Cell continues to be being actively supported with reruns of previous seasonal occasions, and thus stays a well-liked alternative for contemporary Simmers on-the-go. Made utilizing an artwork model and property that may make followers of The Sims 4 really feel most at residence, TSM’s quests are extra character- and story-oriented than these of different cellular entries into the franchise, and it additionally invitations you to admire different gamers’ creations by means of gentle social options.
15. The Sims Castaway Tales
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Launched: 2008
The ultimate entry into the Sims Tales trilogy is extra open-ended than its predecessors, inviting you to create your individual character earlier than enjoying by means of a scripted story that would no more clearly have been impressed by the then-recent success of the TV present Misplaced. In contrast to the console riff on the Castaway idea, the paradisiacal island of Castaway Tales is something however abandoned, and the story is actually extra about discovering your toes in a brand new neighborhood than day-to-day survival. The result’s, moderately endearingly in the long run, one of many few PC video games within the sequence to see your Sims do one thing aside from spin ceaselessly on the hamster wheel of capitalism.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Launched: 2005
The Sims 2 was the golden period of the entire Sims franchise, and whereas the house console version of the sport was fairly broadly thought of its weakest, it’s at the least attention-grabbing sufficient to advantage a glance. Whereas the linchpin PC model was pushing your complete life sim style ahead in enormous leaps, TS2 was launched on the tail-end of a console technology and thus needed to in the reduction of on some fairly primary however resource-intensive mechanics from TS1, most notably the power to have children. As an alternative, most pre-made households consisted of a married couple residing with a 3rd grownup particular person who wanted to have some convoluted purpose to be there that was distinct from all the opposite distinctive menages within the recreation. In most different respects it performed just about like TS2 for PC, however with added scope for scrumptious relationship drama.
13. The Sims Freeplay
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Launched: 2011
The present reigning champion of Sims cellular video games has seen off even the in-house competitors offered by The Sims Cell, and by some means continues to be receiving common, substantive content material updates after effectively over a decade. Broadly impressed by The Sims 3, The Sims Freeplay additionally has one thing of an echo of SimCity about it, encouraging you to modify between a number of households within the identify of uplifting the neighborhood and facilities out there to your city as a complete. It additionally performs out in excruciating real-time, however that is truly excellent news when you’d want The Sims was extra of an idle recreation.
12. MySims Kingdom
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Change, PC
Launched: 2008 (remastered in 2024)
In a surprisingly giant departure from the unique MySims, its first sequel jettisons a lot of the Animal Crossing-esque gameplay loop in favour of one thing extra akin to a (very) lite RPG. The Kingdom of the title is each bit the vaguely fantasy-inspired melting pot you’d think about: a king, a princess, and a wizard activity you and your buddies with saving their archipelago nation from financial downturn by means of magically-enhanced residence design. Regardless of the easy idea, it is laborious to get uninterested in this story when everybody from cowboys to astronauts to forest elves need your assist to revitalise their residing areas.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Moveable, Nintendo DS
Launched: 2007
It is my thought of opinion that this recreation is the true non secular precursor to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, proper right down to a number of the musical riffs sounding eerily comparable. Design a boatload (as distinct from the households of the core sequence) of as much as six Sims, fill within the backstories from their outdated lives, after which see how these skilled abilities assist them fare when their yacht capsises in a storm and leaves them stranded on a desert island with solely the native wildlife for firm. In contrast to its PC equal, the console version of Castaway is one thing of a survival recreation, by which you construct every part from shelter to clothes from the bottom up whereas uncovering the mysteries of a long-lost civilization.
10. The Sims: Console Version
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Launched: 2003
Why port the then-bestselling PC recreation of all time on to residence consoles, when as an alternative you possibly can create a similarly-themed recreation that is additionally fully its personal factor? That is the delightfully baffling thought course of that presumably led to The Sims: Console Version, which is sort of nothing like The Sims for PC, however did introduce a number of the franchise’s most recognisable lore characters, just like the evil property tycoon Malcolm Landgraab and “Mother” (an offended NPC sporting a face pack and curlers who yells at you within the tutorial till you get a job). This authentic console outing was {followed} so shortly by its better-remembered sequel Bustin’ Out that you simply might need develop into satisfied it was all only a fever dream, however I promise you, this was fairly actual as soon as upon a time.
9. The Urbz: Sims within the Metropolis (handheld)
Platform(s): GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
Launched: 2004
The house console version of the identical title already appeared additional up this record, but when somebody’s reminiscing fondly about The Urbz, it is greater than doubtless the considerably completely different GBA model they’re speaking about. Sans licensed movie star cameos, this iteration of The Urbz needed to lean closely on a narrative that (checks notes) sees your Sim embroiled in a lifetime of organised crime, dodging jail time and assassination makes an attempt and… finally preventing vampires? I am beginning to remorse rising up as a PS2 child, actually, this does sound much more superior.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Recreation Boy Advance, N-Gage
Launched: 2003-2004
Scorching on the heels of The Sims: Console Version got here The Sims: Bustin’ Out, a direct sequel that was much less involved with following within the PC model’s lead, and as an alternative aimed to current gameplay that constructed on the very best facets from the franchise’s console debut. The marginally eyebrow elevating title in reality fairly innocently* refers back to the method your Sims might want to get out and about on the planet extra, visiting a wide range of places as they attempt to succeed in the highest of all profession tracks in an try to struggle capitalism with capitalism and regain management of the city from the avaricious Malcolm Landgraab.
*Now that I give it some thought although, there’s an NPC on this recreation known as Mona Lott who runs a enterprise known as Membership Rubb, so…
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platform(s): PlayStation Moveable, Nintendo DS, Recreation Boy Advance
Launched: 2005
The hand held editions of The Sims 2 have been absolutely the pinnacle of that proud Sims custom of console spin-offs with the identical title as a core PC model however a wildly completely different idea. These three iterations are all so completely different that they virtually do not need to be lumped in collectively like this, however I concern my viewers could have restricted endurance for a listing that is simply 25 completely different variations of The Sims 2, so it’s what it’s.
Every handheld model of The Sims 2 is actually a social sim slash journey recreation story mode for Strangetown, one of many neighbourhoods that shipped with TS2’s PC base recreation. I’ve spent a not-insignificant portion of my life insisting to baffled pals that they merely have to play the PSP model particularly in the event that they wish to know what truly occurred to Bella Goth or unravel the alien storyline. (Normally {followed} by me needing to clarify that sure, The Sims 2 had a number of storylines!)
6. MySims Brokers
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
Launched: 2009
It continues to frustrate me that the most effective journey video games I’ve ever performed is constantly missed attributable to being a kiddified Nintendo unique with “Sims” within the title. Look previous that and you will realise that MySims Brokers is a considerably higher X-Information recreation than any of that present’s official variations, for a begin. It is bizarre and humorous and surprisingly darkish beneath its sugarcoating, and switches it up typically sufficient that you simply by no means get bored.
As with all MySims video games, the DS model is a wholly completely different recreation that is not fairly pretty much as good because the better-known Wii model by way of both story or gameplay; however there’s actually no such factor as a dangerous iteration on MySims Brokers, one of many biggest hidden gems of all time. Current rumours of a remaster will certainly vindicate me.
5. The Sims Medieval
Platform(s): PC, Mac, iOS
Launched: 2010-2011
There was a quick second after I thought that The Sims Medieval was going to be the largest recreation, if not on earth, then at the least among the many important fandom for Sims spin-offs that existed circa 2010. Simmers love a great historic complete conversion, and have been so hyped on the concept of a medieval-themed growth pack for The Sims 3 that splitting that idea out for a stand-alone RPG-lite spin-off will need to have appeared like a sure-fire winner.
Alas, it seems that medievalist Sims nerds are extra loud than we’re quite a few, and TSM obtained only one growth pack earlier than the experiment was quietly shelved by EA, by no means to be heard from once more. On the plus facet, the whole version is maybe the very best discount on EA’s digital storefront as of late, setting you again a mere tenner.
4. The Sims 3
Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, N-Gage 2.0, iOS, Android
Launched: 2009-2014
I do know, I do know, it is sacrilege placing The Sims 3 lowest of all 4 important PC titles on this record, however look: the final time I tried as well up my fully-expanded copy of TS3 was someday round 2018, and I am hopeful that my save will end loading any day now.
Mild (however trustworthy) roasting apart, The Sims 3 was indisputably essentially the most bold entry into the franchise. I am satisfied that the following huge life sim, the one which lastly offers The Sims a run for its cash, will observe TS3’s lead and have a extremely customisable open world. It was an concept forward of its time, sadly; however the excellent news is {that a} decade down the road, the know-how has nearly caught as much as the imaginative and prescient.
3. The Sims 4
Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Launched: 2014-present
The grass is at all times greener on the opposite facet of the impassable waist-high fence, and the present technology of The Sims is at all times being negatively in comparison with no matter got here earlier than it. All of which is to say that The Sims 4 continues the development of being essentially the most controversial important entry into the sequence, and with the current announcement that EA plans to proceed constructing onto this framework moderately than launch a numbered sequel, I would not anticipate these criticisms to go away anytime quickly.
However whereas the grass over right here is perhaps a tad patchy, it is not prefer it’s brown and useless, and we will nonetheless have a really good garden social gathering with all of the developments which have come so step by step over TS4’s lifespan that we would not even bear in mind we did not at all times have them. I’ll eternally recognize that The Sims 4 was the primary recreation within the franchise to permit for the in-depth creation of gender non-conforming Sims with out the necessity for a single mod put in. I will not go chapter-and-verse on all the opposite issues it is achieved effectively over the past decade, however take it from somebody who repeatedly goes again to only about each older recreation on this record: The Sims 4 is the one actually fashionable Simming expertise, and it actually cannot be beat for quality-of-life.
2. The Sims
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux
Launched: 2000-2003
It may very effectively simply be the millennial nostalgia speaking after I say that I nonetheless take into account The Sims to be one of many perfect video games, not simply within the franchise it spawned, however that I’ve ever performed in my life. The unique working title was apparently “digital dollhouse”, and all I can say is that sequence creator Will Wright and co. will need to have spent plenty of time observing the ruthlessness with which little children play with their dollhouses, as a result of absolutely nothing else may clarify this brutal administration sim dressed up in modern turn-of-the-millennium clothes.
There isn’t any ageing on this recreation, however Sims nonetheless die, and so they die dangerous. The demise throes of those little laptop persons are so completely harrowing to return and hearken to 25 years later that I am amazed our dad and mom ever allow us to play. And these Sims died to every part. Positioned a rug in the identical room as a lit fire? Lifeless. Didn’t guzzle down eight plates of steak and beans every day? Lifeless. Did not do your homework? Off to army college, which is functionally the identical as being useless besides your loved ones do not even have the consolation of seeing your ghost wandering round wailing at night time. The early days of this franchise have been, with hindsight, crueller than the wild west. We will not look upon their like once more.
1. The Sims 2
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Java
Launched: 2004-2008
The Sims 2 discovered an actual candy spot between absolutely the carnage of the unique, and the overextension-followed-by-overcorrection of its personal pair of sequels. TS2 would possibly effectively be the goldilocks zone of life simulators: its want administration loop is difficult however not punishing; it managed to retain the unique’s wacky humour whereas firming down sufficient of the too-dark s*** that children needn’t repeatedly be pushed to tears whereas enjoying; and its introduction of significant time within the type of ageing allowed for a way of selection to emerge effectively earlier than it started to creak beneath the load of its personal growth packs.
Add in these lovingly drawn sketches that turned the inspiration of many of the franchise’s best-remembered lore moments – within the type of prompt storylines to play out as you discover your toes within the lightly-gothic cleaning soap opera suburb of Pleasantview, the surreal desert neighborhood of Strangetown the place all conspiracy theories are actual, and the triumph of public domain-friendly name-brand recognition that’s the Shakespearean-inspired city of Veronaville – and you have all of the elements wanted to showcase a genre-defining franchise as absolutely the peak of its powers.