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This week marks a significant milestone for The Sims franchise as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Can you believe how vast the world of The Sims truly is? And I don’t just mean in terms of expansions or downloadable content, which, to be honest, are quite extensive. I’m talking about the standalone titles that proudly carry The Sims brand.
If your immediate thought was "four," well, there’s so much more to explore! To honor this quarter-century landmark, I’ve curated a list of the top 25 Sims games from its rich history. Dive in, marvel, and remember—selecting only 25 was quite a challenge, necessitating the trimming of a few spin-offs and consolidating some remakes just to keep the list manageable.
25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: 2008
This charming Nintendo DS spin-off emerged during the late days of The Sims 2 era. It combines elements from several popular expansion packs. While it may not be a timeless classic, its unique pet-centered mini-games and its heartwarming narrative give it a unique charm.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Released: 2010
The sixth and final installment in the MySims series, Sky Heroes deviated from EA’s initial plans of a direct sequel to the superb MySims Agents. Despite this, it’s the only Sims title where you can soar through the skies and is one of the few to highlight the slightly dystopian undertones always lurking beneath The Sims’ surface.
23. The Sims Pet Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2007
As the middle entry in The Sims Stories trilogy, Pet Stories was designed to make The Sims 2 accessible to those with less powerful computers. With quirky storylines, like a wealthy relative handing over her house, the game might feel patronizing but provides carefree pet customization fun.
22. The Sims 2 Pets
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released: 2006-2007
This expansion pack received a unique makeover for most contemporary consoles, closely chasing the tails of Nintendogs. Here, the pets truly shine, while the human interactions could have been a mere afterthought.
21. The Sims Social
Platform(s): Facebook
Released: 2011 (shut down in 2013)
Though now unplayable, The Sims Social made its own preservation mark as a testament to the fleeting boom of social media games. While it missed the peak of its time and closed after a few years, it remains memorable, notably for securing a collaboration with Lady Gaga.
20. MySims
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Released: 2007-2008 (remastered in 2024)
During the late 2000s, EA experimented with several Sims offshoots, including MySims, their contender against Animal Crossing. It saw moderate success, branching out into five sequels, trying its hand at everything from racing to mini-game collections, and recently received a remastered release.
19. The Sims Online
Platform(s): PC
Released: 2002 (official servers shut down in 2008)
The Sims Online was a social experiment that turned Sims assets into a collaborative online world reminiscent of Second Life. Known now for outlandish in-game scenarios, it thrived within a particular niche. Despite its official closure, fan attempts to revive it keep cropping up.
18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Released: 2004
The Urbz was a distinct departure from the suburban backdrop of early Sims games, channeling an urban fantasy of gig economy life at its peak a decade later. Although known for its glitzy depiction of city life, it’s particularly remembered for its exclusive celebrity tie-in with The Black Eyed Peas.
17. The Sims Life Stories
Platform(s): Windows, Mac
Released: 2007
Life Stories focuses on what’s already in The Sims 2, embracing an episodic format rich in soap opera-like tales. From evil exes plotting embezzlement to outlandish supernatural elements, these stories are a perfect fit for drama enthusiasts.
16. The Sims Mobile
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Released: 2018
Even after its last content update in 2024, The Sims Mobile thrives with event reruns. Borrowing aesthetics from The Sims 4, it emphasizes character-driven quests and social interaction, making it a go-to for traveling Simmers.
15. The Sims Castaway Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2008
Unlike its counterparts, the final chapter in the Sims Stories invites players to craft their own narratives in a storyline embedded with subtle nods to Lost. The aim here isn’t sheer survival but adjusting to new environments in a way that’s refreshingly un-capitalistic for the Sims series.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2005
While the console version didn’t reach the greatness of its PC sibling, it’s an intriguing take. Limited by its release near a console generation’s end, it focused more on chaos-filled relationships than family features, ensuring it still had that iconic Sims drama.
13. The Sims Freeplay
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Released: 2011
The reigning titan of mobile Sims games, Freeplay seamlessly marries The Sims 3 inspiration with SimCity mechanics. It’s about nurturing communities rather than families, engaging players over real-time activities that fully embrace an idle game experience.
12. MySims Kingdom
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
Released: 2008 (remastered in 2024)
A departure from its predecessor’s Animal Crossing dynamics, MySims Kingdom is a casual RPG. Embarking on whimsical design quests in a charming fantasy land, players are tasked with reviving a kingdom—with help from cowboys to intergalactic travelers.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Released: 2007
To me, this adventurous tale hearkens directly to Animal Crossing’s latest loves, mixed with unique riffs and resourcefulness. Craft a ragtag group of castaways and guide them from yacht wreckage to surviving a deserted isle, uncovering ancient stories along the way.
10. The Sims: Console Edition
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2003
Instead of a straightforward port from PC to consoles, Sims crafted an original take with a distinctive flair. This iteration featured dynamic characters like Malcolm Landgraab, setting a base for a quick follow-up, Bustin’ Out, that managed to overshadow its origin.
9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
Platform(s): GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released: 2004
Distinct from its console counterpart, the handheld Urbz ditched celebrity cameos for deeply packed plotlines. The games arc involves dodging criminal elements and peculiar supernatural adventures, eclipsing even its already unique console alternative in intrigue and creativity.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
Released: 2003-2004
An immediate follow-up to the console debut, Bustin’ Out delivered tantalizing gameplay stretching beyond the residence to a bustling Sims world. Engaged careers and social interaction framed a tale involving economic combat within Sims’ universe, spearheaded by none other than Malcolm Landgraab.
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
Released: 2005
Arguably a unique take on The Sims 2, the handheld edition morphed into a Strangetown-centric adventure diverging drastically from its PC namesake. An unfolding saga with particular attention to famous Bella Goth and alien lore ensured a captivating fix for dedicated story-mongers.
6. MySims Agents
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
Released: 2009
A surprisingly sophisticated adventure veiled in a kid-friendly disguise, MySims Agents shines as an overlooked gem. It plays like a charming espionage story in the Sims universe and remains a pinnacle in adventure gaming creatively tied to the Sims genre.
5. The Sims Medieval
Platform(s): PC, Mac, iOS
Released: 2010-2011
The fanciful allure of bygone medieval times wove intricately within a Sims experience. Although short-lived, this charming narrative adventure stands testament to historical enthusiast Simmers and is often hailed as a great bargain if you seek deeper dives into the past.
4. The Sims 3
Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, N-Gage 2.0, iOS, Android
Released: 2009-2014
An ambitious leap enveloped by customizable open worlds marked part of The Sims 3’s legacy. While occasionally buckling under its own aspirations, these features set new benchmarks for future advancements that continue to inspire the evolving life-simulation genre.
3. The Sims 4
Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Released: 2014-present
The Sims 4 shoulders the criticism typical of each generational shift but offers a modern approach focusing on gradual enhancements. While it endures a legacy etched by gender inclusivity without mods, its continual quality-of-life updates keep it fresh and engaging.
2. The Sims
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux
Released: 2000-2003
Journeying back to where it all began reveals a foundational "virtual dollhouse" critical in shaping a generation. Darker undertones mingled seamlessly with modern scenes in a pioneering direction, making Sims—a stark management game with layers of home drama—a beloved staple.
1. The Sims 2
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Java
Released: 2004-2008
Sitting comfortably in The Sims’ pantheon, The Sims 2 achieved an ideal balance. Its lively storylines, backed by memorable neighborhoods, carved out iconic Sims lore and managed engaging time-based gameplay, solidifying its place at the pinnacle of life simulation games.
