This week marks a significant milestone as The Sims franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary. You might already be familiar with the franchise, but do you know just how many standalone Sims games there actually are? I’m not talking about the countless expansion packs or downloadable content—those numbers are mind-boggling on their own—but the standalone titles that have been released under The Sims name.
If you guessed four, prepare to be surprised. In honor of this notable anniversary, I’ve compiled a list of the top 25 Sims games spanning a quarter-century. Dive in, enjoy this nostalgic ride, and appreciate the fact that some spin-offs had to be trimmed and certain remakes bundled together to keep this list concise.
25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
Available on the Nintendo DS and released in 2008, this charming spin-off arrived at the tail end of The Sims 2 era. It combines elements from some of the franchise’s popular expansions. It’s not considered a classic, but it does offer unique pet-centered minigames and a sweet storyline.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Released in 2010, this was the sixth and last installment of the MySims series. Some fans thought it wasn’t the best in the series and questioned whether EA should have followed through with their original plan to continue the MySims Agents storyline. However, it stands out as the only Sims game offering flight and acknowledges the slightly dystopian feel of the Sims universe.
23. The Sims Pet Stories
Platform: PC, Mac
Released in 2007, The Sims Pet Stories is the middle child of the Sims Stories trilogy. It was designed for players with lower-spec PCs. The game’s storyline includes a generous twist where a wealthy relative gifts a house to a cousin on a honeymoon cruise. It’s a game that makes you feel both patronized and pleased, especially when it comes to playing with pets.
22. The Sims 2 Pets
Platforms: PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, PSP, Game Boy Advance, DS
Released from 2006 to 2007, this expansion received a full standalone adaptation across several consoles, though conspicuously absent on the Xbox 360. It chases after the success of Nintendogs in most of its versions. The pets are truly the stars of the show here, so much so that it might have fared better without humans.
21. The Sims Social
Platform: Facebook
Debuting in 2011 and closed in 2013, The Sims Social stands out as the only game on this list that cannot be played anymore, making it a unique entry in the history of game preservation. Sadly, it missed the height of the social media gaming craze. However, it is fondly remembered, especially for its collaboration with Lady Gaga.
20. MySims
Available on the Nintendo Wii, DS, PC, and set for a remaster on Switch in 2024, this 2007-2008 release from EA was a bold attempt to rival Animal Crossing. It was successful enough to inspire five sequels ranging from party games to racing and adventure genres. It recently received a remaster as part of the MySims Cozy Bundle.
19. The Sims Online
Platform: PC
Launched in 2002 and closing its official servers in 2008, The Sims Online aimed to create a virtual social space using The Sims’ assets. It turned into a chaotic blend of cyber mischief, beloved by a niche group despite being short-lived. Various fan recreations have made appearances, but they, too, have faded away. There’s hope EA might ignore another reemergence.
18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Released in 2004, The Urbz flipped the suburban life of The Sims, embracing inner-city living. It foresaw the gig economy and promised rapid celebrity status. While the handheld version received more praise, this edition had The Black Eyed Peas cameo, which makes it quite the standout feature.
17. The Sims Life Stories
Platforms: Windows, Mac
This 2007 release strips down The Sims 2 base, focusing on using its existing resources wisely for crafting unique narratives. For players who delight in soap-opera-worthy twists and turns, this installment begins with a banished ex and ends with an ultimatum from the Grim Reaper.
16. The Sims Mobile
Platforms: iOS, Android
Released in 2018 and still supported through 2024 with event reruns, The Sims Mobile offers a familiar art style for Sims 4 fans. Its story-driven quests and social features where you can appreciate other players’ designs make it a worthwhile mobile experience.
15. The Sims Castaway Stories
Platforms: PC, Mac
Released in 2008 as the last of the Sims Stories trilogy, this game offers an open-ended adventure with inspiration from the television show "Lost." It’s less about survival and more about integrating into a new community, providing a refreshing deviation from capitalistic gameplay.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Released in 2005 during The Sims 2’s golden era, the console version features limitations like no child-bearing but compensates with unique scenarios facilitating relationship drama.
13. The Sims Freeplay
Platforms: iOS, Android
Initially launched in 2011, this mobile edition remains a dominant force, delivering regular updates years later. It mirrors aspects of The Sims 3 while infusing a touch of SimCity, with time progressing in real-time.
12. MySims Kingdom
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, DS, Switch, PC
This 2008 release, remastered in 2024, deviates significantly from MySims with its RPG-like narrative where you, alongside a merry band, help restore various communities by sparking a magical design renaissance.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, DS
Released in 2007, this game is the ultimate precursor to "Animal Crossing: New Horizons." As a Sim stranded on a deserted island, you must utilize natural resources to survive and build, uncovering the island’s secrets along the way.
10. The Sims: Console Edition
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
Instead of a direct PC port, 2003 saw this title launched with its unique spin, introducing iconic characters like Malcolm Landgraab. Despite being overshadowed by "Bustin’ Out," it remains a memorable entry.
9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
Platforms: Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
This 2004 version lacks the celebrity flair of its console counterpart but makes up for it with an engaging storyline involving crime, intrigue, and even vampires, leaving many GBA and DS enthusiasts nostalgic.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
Stretching over 2003-2004, "Bustin’ Out" encourages Sims to explore outside their homes and tackle capitalism to reclaim their town. Despite its eyebrow-raising name, its content is fairly innocuous.
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platforms: PSP, DS, Game Boy Advance
The 2005 handheld adaptations of The Sims 2 each become a unique experience. They integrate social sim gameplay with adventure elements, making the PSP version particularly intriguing to delve into Strangetown’s mysteries.
6. MySims Agents
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, DS
This 2009 release is a hidden gem, often overlooked due to its child-friendly branding. The game features engaging detective work, weaving a narrative worthy of X-Files comparisons.
5. The Sims Medieval
Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS
From 2010-2011, "Medieval" offered a unique spin with its RPG-like quests. Unfortunately, despite potential, it didn’t make a lasting mark, yet remains a surprisingly affordable gem worth exploring.
4. The Sims 3
Platforms: Multi-platform
From 2009-2014, The Sims 3 showcased ambition with its open-world design. Despite its technical delays, its customization options set a high bar for life simulations.
3. The Sims 4
Platforms: Multi-platform
Ongoing from 2014, The Sims 4 faced mixed reviews but remains the most modern edition, offering quality-of-life improvements. It was the first to allow intricate gender customization without mods.
2. The Sims
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
Spanning 2000-2003, the initial installment of The Sims, with its "virtual dollhouse" origins, was more about survival than comfort. Despite its brutal management and mortality, it laid the groundwork for a genre-defining series.
1. The Sims 2
Platforms: PC, Mac, Java
Released between 2004 and 2008, The Sims 2 hits the perfect balance, offering compelling storytelling through signature neighborhoods. Its evolutionary mechanics without compromising fun makes it stand out as a landmark in life simulation.
