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The Sims franchise hits its impressive 25-year milestone this week. But have you ever realized just how expansive the world of Sims games truly is? I’m not talking just about the expansion packs or the myriad of DLCs (though there’s plenty of those); I mean the full-fledged stand-alone Sims titles that have graced our screens over the years.
If your guess is "four," you’re in for a surprise. To celebrate this significant anniversary, I’ve crafted a list highlighting the top 25 Sims games that have defined the series over its storied quarter-century history. Consider this your learning journey, as I even had to trim down on certain spin-offs and merge a few name-only remakes to keep the numbers manageable.
Let’s dive in!
25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: 2008
Towards the twilight of The Sims 2 era emerged this charming concept—a Nintendo DS spin-off blending elements from beloved TS2 expansions. While not everyone’s classic favorite, its unique pet-themed minigames and tender storyline give it a place in our hearts.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Released: 2010
Marking the end of the MySims chapter, this sixth installment didn’t quite live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Initially intended as a sequel to MySims Agents, it stands out as the only Sims game featuring plane flights. It bravely tackles The Sims’ underlying dystopian vibe head-on.
23. The Sims Pet Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2007
Part of The Sims Stories trilogy, Pet Stories sought to deliver the Sims 2 experience to players with less powerful PCs. One memorable storyline concludes with a character’s affluent relative gifting her entire home so our protagonist can extend her honeymoon cruise indefinitely. It feels slightly patronizing but delightfully provides a playground for pet customizations without any major troubleshooting.
22. The Sims 2 Pets
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released: 2006-2007
This was the only expansion pack from the PC franchise to receive a complete stand-alone remake for numerous consoles. Clearly, chasing that Nintendogs vibe, the pets are the stars here, enough so that one could argue for an all-pet focus. If you wondered what a human-free life would be like, peek at the 2009 SimAnimals exclusives.
21. The Sims Social
Platform(s): Facebook
Released: 2011 (closed in 2013)
This game is unique on our list as it can’t be played anymore—a rare win for game preservation. With the Farmville boom in mind, The Sims Social arrived just after the peak, closing after two years. Yet it’s cherished by fans, not least for its successful Lady Gaga collaboration attempt.
20. MySims
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Released: 2007-2008 (remastered in 2024)
In the late 2000s to early 2010s, the Sims explored various spin-offs. MySims marked EA’s bid to rival Animal Crossing. Though somewhat formulaic, its charm allowed it to spawn five sequels and earn a remastered version in the MySims Cozy Bundle.
19. The Sims Online
Platform(s): PC
Released: 2002 (officially closed 2008)
After utilizing assets from the initial Sims game for PC, The Sims Online became a social realm akin to a chaotic Second Life, gaining a reputation for wild antics. Fan recreations kept its legacy alive post-offline, but sadly, the last one shuttered recently. Hope remains for a revival sometime in the future.
18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Released: 2004
The Urbz feels like the ultimate 2000s endeavor, transforming the usually suburban Sims into an inner-city narrative. Predicting elements of modern gig economies while promising the glam of socialite life, it captured the imagination. Though the handheld version excelled, it lacked the console version’s Black Eyed Peas cameo.
17. The Sims Life Stories
Platform(s): Windows, Mac
Released: 2007
Debuting as the first of the Sims Stories series, this edition catered to lower-end PCs. Without adding complexities, it thrived on its simplified Sims 2 format to generate eccentric tales. From thwarting an evil ex’s inheritance scheme to billionaire dilemmas orchestrated by the Grim Reaper, it’s quite the soap opera experience.
16. The Sims Mobile
Platforms: iOS, Android
Released: 2018
Though its final update dropped in 2024, The Sims Mobile still thrives on nostalgia with reruns and beloved features. With elements reminiscent of The Sims 4, this mobile iteration focuses on story-driven quests and social interaction, letting players admire a variety of creations.
15. The Sims Castaway Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2008
Breaking away from its narrative predecessors, this entry lets players create a character to explore a storyline seemingly inspired by TV’s Lost. On its tropical island, it’s less survival-driven and more about community-building, which refreshingly breaks from capitalism’s cycle.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2005
While not universally loved like its PC counterpart, the console version of The Sims 2 stood out with its unique household dynamics. Despite cutting some basic features like childbearing, it allowed for divine relationship drama amidst various eccentric menages.
13. The Sims Freeplay
Platforms: iOS, Android
Released: 2011
Trumps other mobile editions, regularly blessing fans with updates since its launch in 2011. Mirroring The Sims 3’s aesthetics and sprinkled with SimCity’s vibe, it encourages overseeing multiple households, albeit in real-time. Think of it as The Sims meets an idle game framework.
12. MySims Kingdom
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
Released: 2008 (remastered in 2024)
MySims Kingdom took a bold RPG-lite direction, tasking you with redesigning homes across an archipelago to revive its economy. This quirky kingdom mingles genres, featuring everything from cowboys to astronauts in need of magical renovations.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Released: 2007
For those nostalgic about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Castaway deserves a mention. Manage a shipwrecked group’s survival on a deserted island, all while unraveling ancient mystery layers—nothing short of an exciting adventure unfolding with each crafted shelter.
10. The Sims: Console Edition
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2003
Rather than porting the acclaimed PC version, this console iteration forged its unique path, introducing memorable characters like Malcolm Landgraab. Its emergence before its acclaimed sequel may seem hazy now, but it firmly anchored the Sims console experience in its time.
9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
Platform(s): GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released: 2004
Absent celebrity allures, the handheld version of The Urbz delivered thrilling urban escapades, entangling players in organized crime, sidestepping incarceration, even fending off vampires. Beyond PS2 memories, this version’s narrative was truly captivating.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
Released: 2003-2004
Following its console predecessor, Bustin’ Out’s mission-based gameplay invites exploring diverse locations while regaining the town from Malcolm Landgraab. The name may raise eyebrows, but gameplay was tuned to get your Sims "bustin’ out" in style.
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
Released: 2005
Each handheld version celebrated the immersive narrative of Strangetown, differing greatly from its PC namesake. Offering social adventures, notably the PSP edition explores Bella Goth’s mysteries further—it’s a must-play for any true Sims aficionado.
6. MySims Agents
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
Released: 2009
Often underrated, MySims Agents is surprisingly engaging, merging elements of The X-Files into its quirky detective storyline. The Wii version triumphs, while the DS edition offers its unique charm—an adventure that remains one of the franchise’s unsung heroes.
5. The Sims Medieval
Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS
Released: 2010-2011
Born from the fervor for a historical Sims expansion, The Sims Medieval carved its own niche with RPG elements. Though short-lived, its comprehensive edition remains an EA store gem, offering a medieval life sim unlike any other at a price worth highlighting.
4. The Sims 3
Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, N-Gage 2.0, iOS, Android
Released: 2009-2014
The Sims 3, daringly ambitious with its open world, sets a benchmark for future sims. Despite performance quirks, it foreshadowed the technological strides for the genre—a trail-running ambition we can only hope future life sims emulate.
3. The Sims 4
Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Released: 2014-present
While facing perennial comparisons to its predecessors, The Sims 4 steadily enriches its offerings without a numbered sequel in sight. A pioneer for in-game diversity, TS4 transforms Sim-creation standards and shines as a modern Simming beacon with unmatched quality-of-life improvements.
2. The Sims
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
Released: 2000-2003
For some, myself included, The Sims is unforgettable nostalgia. Its "virtual dollhouse" roots, crafted by Will Wright, reflect the ruthless, unpredictable nature of early management sims. A no-ageing-but-still-dying platform framed gruesome-yet-iconic gameplay we marveled at, leaving a legacy we’re unlikely to see again.
1. The Sims 2
Platforms: PC, Mac, Java
Released: 2004-2008
The Sims 2 lands triumphantly at number one, capturing the franchise’s essence at its zenith. Well-balanced challenge levels and thoughtful progression embody the peak of life simulation. Its iconic storytelling, from Pleasantview’s gothic flair to Strangetown’s conspiracies, cements TS2 as life sim royalty.
