This week marks a significant milestone in gaming history: The Sims franchise turns 25, which is no small feat. But have you truly considered just how expansive this universe is? I’m not just talking about the numerous expansion packs or DLCs that have rolled out over the years—though that’s quite a staggering number in itself. I’m referring to the standalone titles proudly carrying The Sims name.
So, if your immediate thought was that there are "four" main Sims games, you’re in for a surprise, dear reader. To celebrate The Sims’ 25th birthday, I’ve compiled a list of the 25 best Sims games from the series’ illustrious history. Dive in and relish where the journey has taken us. And yes, I had to make some tough calls, trimming the list by merging spin-offs and cutting out merely nominal remakes.
25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
Platform(s): Nintendo DS
Released: 2008
Right at the tail end of The Sims 2 era, this charming DS spin-off emerged. It cleverly amalgamated elements from some of the fan-favorite TS2 expansion packs. Not exactly crowned a classic, but it offered unique pet-themed mini-games wrapped in a cute story.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Released: 2010
Sadly the last in its sub-series, MySims Sky Heroes strayed from its roots, leaving some to wonder if a sequel to MySims Agents would have been a better choice. Yet, this is the only Sims game allowing players to pilot planes, and is noted for acknowledging The Sims’ often-overlooked dystopian undertones.
23. The Sims Pet Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2007
Part of The Sims Stories Trilogy, aimed at providing a low-spec experience, Pet Stories stands as the middle child. It offered sweetened endings, like a wealthy relative gifting a home so her cousin could cruise indefinitely, making for a slightly patronizing yet enjoyable narrative with a dose of pet customization.
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 a unique entry—the only expansion pack achieving standalone status across most consoles. Its conspicuous absence from Xbox 360 aside, it was clearly chasing the appeal of Nintendogs by focusing intensely on pets—perhaps to a point where humans might have been an unnecessary inclusion.
21. The Sims Social
Platform(s): Facebook
Released: 2011 (closed 2013)
Now-defunct, The Sims Social was a venture into the social media gaming boom sparked by Farmville. Missing its peak, it still lingers in the memories of many for its collaboration with Lady Gaga, despite its short-lived existence.
20. MySims
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Switch
Released: 2007-2008 (remastered in 2024)
In an effort to compete with Animal Crossing, MySims took a Nintendo-first approach that resonated enough to spawn multiple sequels. It strayed into genres from party games to adventure, with its cozy charm leading to a remaster as part of the MySims Cozy Bundle.
19. The Sims Online
Platform(s): PC
Released: 2002 (servers closed in 2008)
Leveraging assets from the original PC game, The Sims Online replicated a chaotic Second Life-esque environment where avatars interacted, resulting in memorable debauchery. Today, various fan recreations keep its spirit alive.
18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Released: 2004
The Urbz captured the essence of mid-2000s gaming by flipping The Sims from suburban serenity to inner-city hustle. With predictions of gig economy futures and rooftop celebrity minglings, it captured its era perfectly. While its handheld counterpart won critical hearts, its console offering boasted a Black Eyed Peas cameo, a cultural jewel in its own right.
17. The Sims Life Stories
Platform(s): Windows, Mac
Released: 2007
Kicking off the Sims Stories series with lower-end PC users in mind, Life Stories avoided high-tech gimmicks, offering plot-driven tales within the pared-back framework of the Sims 2 base game. If your idea of The Sims involves soap opera-levels of drama, from inheritance heists to cosmic clashes, this one’s for you.
16. The Sims Mobile
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Released: 2018
Even after receiving a final content update in 2024, The Sims Mobile remains vibrant. Using an art style reminiscent of The Sims 4, it’s more character-focused than its mobile peers, incorporating social features for sharing creations—with reruns of seasonal events to boot.
15. The Sims Castaway Stories
Platform(s): PC, Mac
Released: 2008
The wrap-up of the Stories trilogy offered more freedom, allowing players to embark on open-ended adventures reminiscent of TV’s "Lost." Instead of merely surviving, Castaway Stories focuses on thriving within a new community, diverging from the more capitalist tones of earlier Sims adventures.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2005
Despite being the runt of the litter in the grand TS2 lineup, the console edition brought its own charm. You won’t have kiddos running around due to hardware limitations, but that only meant more interesting character setups and relationship drama.
13. The Sims Freeplay
Platform(s): iOS, Android
Released: 2011
Thirteen years later, still going strong! Born from The Sims 3 DNA, Freeplay challenges you to manage multiple households, with real-time aspirations akin to SimCity. For those who fancy an idle version of The Sims, this one’s a keeper.
12. MySims Kingdom
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
Released: 2008 (remastered in 2024)
Bringing a wave of fresh ideas, MySims Kingdom infuses RPG elements into its whimsical narrative. Tasked by rulers to save a diverse archipelago, it melds fantasy with familiar charm, seeking your creative flair to revitalize their realm.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
Released: 2007
Think of it as Animal Crossing’s elder sibling, where you build and survive post-shipwreck, uncovering an island’s secrets. While its PC twin took more social routes, the console version lends itself to survival, crafting, and exploration.
10. The Sims: Console Edition
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released: 2003
Instead of a straight port from PC, this edition crafted its distinctive experience, introducing us to characters like Malcolm Landgraab. A distant memory for many, it’s undeniable that this console original laid groundwork that later entries built upon.
9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
Platform(s): GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released: 2004
Distinctly different from its console counterpart, the handheld version offered a gripping plot rife with urban escapades, dodging crime, and even vampire confrontations. It was more than just a simple spin-off; it built its legendary status among handheld fans.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platform(s): PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
Released: 2003-2004
Following quickly after the initial console release, Bustin’ Out expanded gameplay to include a variety of locales and adventures, setting the stage for the next big thing. Let’s just say the NPC-named Club Rubb adds a playful twist to its urban setting.
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platform(s): PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
Released: 2005
These variants offered a peculiar yet enchanting take on the Strangetown saga. With each handheld edition bringing its unique flair, they penned alternate tales full of mystery and legacy. The PSP edition, in particular, holds a narrative treasure trove for curious fans.
6. MySims Agents
Platform(s): Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
Released: 2009
Unfairly overshadowed due to its ‘kiddie’ presentation, MySims Agents actually delivered one of the finest mystery adventures, packed with humor and suspense—an unpolished gem now rumored for a remaster. The DS version may pale in comparison, but both entries carry undeniable charm.
5. The Sims Medieval
Platform(s): PC, Mac, iOS
Released: 2010-2011
Once heralded as the next big thing in Sims history, this spin on a medieval life was meant to capitalize on The Sims 3’s success. Despite its short-lived journey, it remains a nostalgic trip to a time of knights and castles—worth its weight in gold (or silver, given its budget-friendly price on digital platforms).
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
Undeniably ambitious, yet occasionally hindered by its aspirations, The Sims 3 endeavored to open up the world, allowing creators expansive freedom. Though challenging for even the sturdiest PCs of its day, it set a blueprint for what sandbox life simulations might evolve into.
3. The Sims 4
Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Released: 2014-present
Controversial yet undeniably modern, The Sims 4 continues to grow in unexpected ways, focusing on storylines with unparalleled character customization. It broke barriers by first enabling non-binary representation without essential mods, outlining a brighter future for inclusive gaming.
2. The Sims
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux
Released: 2000-2003
A nostalgic dive into early 2000s suburban ambitions, this virtual ‘dollhouse’ was a groundbreaking management simulator. Harsh yet riveting, the game laid the foundation for decades of life-sim gameplay. It’s a piece of history that nostalgically reflects the ruthless simplicity of its era.
1. The Sims 2
Platform(s): PC, Mac, Java
Released: 2004-2008
Perfectly balancing whimsy and profoundness, The Sims 2 redefined its genre. Introducing aging and progressive storytelling, it became the sweet spot of life’s simulation experience. From suburban satire to alien conspiracies, it remains an undeniable pinnacle in The Sims legacy.
With these entries, The Sims has cemented itself as a crucial part of gaming’s landscape, evolving over the years and continuing to grow as its virtual worlds expand.
