Exploring the top sims games within one of the most enduring game series, let’s dive into the finest The Sims titles ever created.
The Sims game is a well-known series of life simulation games created by Maxis Studios, a branch of Electronic Arts Studios.
Assume the role of your custom Sim character, probably an idealized version of yourself.
Experience the unique opportunity to live out the daily routine of a different culture. This is all pure fantasy.
Rise and shine, get dressed, freshen up, take a shower, prepare breakfast. Exciting!
We are fortunate to have games that provide us with such experiences!
Truly, based on past best lists, it’s the ordinary topics that often lead to the most fun gaming experiences. The Sims game is no different in that regard.
It seems that recreating everyday life is a surprisingly calming way to spend a weekend… doesn’t it feel a bit like Inception?
The Sims game is often recognized for its role in establishing the chill, cozy, and casual video game genre.
Let’s dive in and explore the top The Sims games of all time!
Here are Some of The Best Sims Games of All time
10. The Urbz: Sims In The City (2004)
The Urbz: Sims in the City was a console exclusive addition to the Sims series that provided more structured missions and continued the story from “Bustin’ Out”.
“The Urbz” was planned as the initial console release for The Sims franchise. However, a remake of the original game was quickly developed because of its huge popularity.
The original team behind “Urbz” was divided into two groups, each working on developing The Sims Bustin’ Out and The Urbz: Sims in the City simultaneously.
Players now have double the Sims game content to enjoy, benefiting everyone.
Custom music tracks were recorded by the Black Eyed Peas in the Sims language Simlish, and members of the popular music group also appeared in the game.
This was arguably the most impressive Sims game of its era.
Similar to the previous game mentioned, it marked a significant moment in Sims history, with the format of “Bustin’ Out” and “The Urbz” shaping the future of The Sims franchise.
9. MySims (2007)
MySims was a game title that spun off from The Sims franchise, created by EA for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.
You have been assigned with the mission to restore a neglected town that was deserted by a secretive individual relying on “essences” to maintain order. Now it’s up to your Sim character to take on that responsibility.
MySims merges the character development from previous The Sims games with Nintendo’s Miis characters.
Personalization is a key aspect of all your activities in MySims. Personalizing your character, home, and household items with the essences you gather around the town.
MySims has sold over 1.3 million copies and stands as one of the top-selling Nintendo DS games ever. Additionally, five sequels were created in the MySims series between 2008 and 2010.
This Sims title stands out on our list and is a great choice to add to your collection.
8. The Sims Bustin’ Out (2003)
The Sims Bustin’ Out was a video game developed for multiple gaming platforms such as the PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance, which was launched in 2003.
It marked the initial release of The Sims exclusively on console.
True to its name, “Bustin’ Out” provides numerous opportunities for your Sims to explore life beyond their home.
In contrast to the early Sims titles, “Bustin’ Out” also provides mission-based objectives for players to complete. Alternatively, you can leave it open-ended and opt for the Freeplay mode.
This marks the beginning of The Sims franchise’s implementation of a story mode. This will play a crucial role in future Sims games.
While it may not have the highest score on our list, it is a crucial step in the evolution of The Sims, as we will soon discover. This game is crucial when considering the best The Sims games.
7. The Sims 2 (2004)
As a sequel to the highly successful game, The Sims 2 enhanced all the fantastic features of the original Sims game.
Similar to the original game, The Sims 2 does not have a definitive end and offers endless possibilities. You have complete control over what happens in your Sim’s world.
Now there are even more possibilities to explore, such as a male character being taken by an alien and becoming pregnant. What?! Seriously?
Many enhancements were implemented in The Sims 2, such as updates to the AI and lifespan of your Sim, as well as the introduction of full 3D graphics enabling a 360-degree view inside your Sim’s home.
The Sims 2 was a huge hit both commercially and critically, just like the original game. This game is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made, solidifying our successful franchise.
With plenty of DLC content and the ability to create custom characters, skins, and items, The Sims offers endless reasons to return.
6. The Sims Life Stories (2007)
The Sims Life Stories ranks 8th in this list of the best The Sims games of all time, bringing back PC Sims gameplay with structured story plots similar to previous console games.
“Life Stories” utilizes The Sims 2 game engine and includes a Classic Mode and Story Mode.
The Sims Stories series was created to be a user-friendly option for gamers, designed to run on laptop computers without the need for a powerful graphics card.
It was designed to serve as a welcoming introduction to the franchise. It was a fantastic way to explore The Sims for the first time, especially since it’s built on the Sims 2 engine.
The series “Life Stories” expanded with The Sims Pet Stories in 2007, and both games were later made available on the Mac App Store in 2015.
5. The Sims Medieval (2011)
The Sims Medieval offers a delightful twist to the Sims series, enabling players to construct their kingdom in medieval times with a quest-driven narrative.
This addition to the Sims series introduces new elements of role-playing and action-adventure that are unique and have not been replicated in The Sims franchise.
The protagonist embarks on adventures in The Sims Medieval storyline. Players face numerous risks and challenges that threaten their survival.
It is actually possible to experience death or failure, which is not as common in Sims games.
The Sims Medieval stands out as a truly distinctive addition to our selection of top The Sims games. The game features a distinct art style and intricate world detailing that sets it apart from previous games.
An expansion, Pirates & Nobles, was released in 2011 and introduced a plethora of new content for the game. It was featured in the deluxe edition of The Sims Medieval.
4. The Sims (2000)
The Sims (numero uno) remains the standout title in the franchise, offering an exciting experience that stands out among the best The Sims games.
Sure thing, The Sims is all about simulating everyday life in a typical town with ordinary residents.
You are in charge of your Sim’s income, daily life, and relationships.
The artificial intelligence will assist your Sim and generate their desires and requirements, while the player is responsible for completing many of those tasks.
Your Sim urgently requires your assistance in using the toilet.
Simply focus on keeping your Sim alive and avoiding a house fire to achieve success.
First development Will Wright, previously known for the SimCity franchise, led The Sims game title. He was clearly knowledgeable in the world of simulation video games.
Similar to SimCity, The Sims was showcased in a 2D isometric view that creates the impression of 3D.
Reflecting on the game now after trying out more recent entries, the graphics, gameplay, and features still impress!
The Sims became incredibly popular, resulting in one of the most lucrative franchises. It earned a place on TIME Magazine’s list of the Best Video Games of All Time.
Over the years, The Sims also introduced numerous expansion packs that brought in new characters, items, and features.
Unlike actual people, Sims will always be available for you! Just kidding… just kidding
3. The Sims (2019)
The Sims 3 stands out as the most content-rich game in the franchise and secures a top spot on our list of the best The Sims games.
The Sims 3 presents a welcoming open-world format, enabling players to freely explore their neighborhoods without any loading interruptions.
The game is filled with various community and neighborhood elements, offering plenty of NPCs to interact with and form relationships with.
Every character in your neighborhood has their own distinct lives, making the world feel incredibly authentic and genuine.
Similar to previous games, you have the ability to manage your Sim characters’ daily routines, personal preferences, career goals, social interactions, and family dynamics.
Personalizing your player is crucial, allowing you to adjust various aspects such as age, build, physical features, style, skills, and personality.
The Sims 3 had a large amount of additional DLC content released over the years. Up to 2013, the game has seen the release of eleven expansion packs, nine “Stuff Packs,” and six editions.
This game is available on various platforms including Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Android, iOS, and Blackberry.
The Sims 3 has sold over ten million units worldwide, making it the #17 highest selling PC game of all time.
It was a challenging competition for the top position. And, to be honest, we might have made a mistake, but we decided on our course of action.
2. The Sims FreePlay (2011)
If there’s anything better than The Sims, it’s free Sims.
The Sims FreePlay is a simplified version of The Sims 3 developed for mobile devices.
Players can earn in game currency by completing various tasks, or… like in many “freemium” game titles: you can also purchase perks using real money.
The Sims FreePlay features real time events and tasks that must be complete within a certain period of time. These events have received updates as recent as this month (September 2022).
So it is cool to see EA keeping Sims content current and giving players reasons to stay active in their Sims neighborhood.
The Sims Mobile is another free mobile Sims game that was created in 2017, and its engine was based on The Sims 4.
This game title is also quite enjoyable, but due to their similarity, and The Sims FreePlay having more favorable reviews and a longer history of content… we give it the edge.
Plus, this won’t be the last we will see for free Sims content.
Don’t sleep on free games. The Sims FreePlay is truly one of the best The Sims games out there, and we are happy to include it on our list.
1. The Sims 4 (2014)
It’s important to acknowledge the latest and most refined game in a series like this.
In my article about the Best Mortal Kombat Games, it’s impossible to overlook the progress made over time and the extensive content and features added to the Sims series.
Personalizing your Sim characters offers the most detailed options in the entire series. Everything from abilities, dreams, looks, identity, age, ethnicity, type (human, extraterrestrial, creature). There’s a variety of options available.
My favorite aspect of The Sims is definitely the Build Mode. The systems for constructing your home and personalizing it are more feature-rich than ever. You have the freedom to be very specific about the layout of your home.
Here’s a fun fact: I actually planned out my future home in Thailand using The Sims 4 Build Mode.
Since 2014, there have been twelve expansion packs released for The Sims 4, along with twelve game packs and 18 stuff packs.
The Sims 4 will become completely free-to-play in October 2022, just a little over a week from now. If you haven’t tried The Sims 4 yet, now is the perfect time to give it a go!
The Sims 4 stands out as the ultimate installment in The Sims series, holding a special place in my heart. Of course, it had to be at the top of the list.
