This week marks the 25th anniversary of The Sims, an impressive milestone for this iconic franchise. But are you aware of just how vast the world of The Sims really is? I’m not just talking about the countless expansion packs and DLCs—though they do add up astonishingly—but the standalone titles that proudly bear The Sims name.
If you thought there were only four, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. To celebrate this quarter-century mark, I’ve curated a list of the top 25 Sims games spanning the franchise’s rich history. This list wasn’t easy to compile; some spin-offs were set aside, and a few remakes condensed to keep it concise. Dive in, savor the history, and perhaps discover something new.
25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
- Platform: Nintendo DS
- Released: 2008
A quirky end-of-life addition to The Sims 2 era, this stand-alone title for the Nintendo DS blends concepts from some of TS2’s beloved expansions. Though it might not hold the title of a classic, its unique pet-themed minigames and delightful storyline have their own charm.
24. MySims Sky Heroes
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2010
This was the sixth and final entry in the MySims series. Although it didn’t quite hit the mark set by its predecessors, namely MySims Agents, it holds the distinction of being the only Sims game that lets you pilot aircraft. Moreover, it scratches the surface of the dystopian vibe often underlying The Sims universe.
23. The Sims Pet Stories
- Platforms: PC, Mac
- Released: 2007
As part of the Sims Stories trilogy, Pet Stories aimed to bring the allure of Sims 2 to underpowered PCs. One storyline has a wealthy relative gifting her mansion to her cousin as she departs on a never-ending cruise—with themes of benevolence and humor seamlessly entwined.
22. The Sims 2 Pets
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2006-2007
This expansion made a bold move by offering a stand-alone version for various consoles, closely mirroring the mechanics of Nintendogs. With pets as central figures, sometimes it felt like the human characters were just there for company.
21. The Sims Social
- Platform: Facebook
- Released: 2011 (closed 2013)
While it’s no longer accessible, The Sims Social was a significant move into social media games, inspired by the Farmville wave. Its brief lifespan belies a remarkable achievement, boasting partnerships like the celebrated collaboration with Lady Gaga.
20. MySims
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2007-2008 (remastered 2024)
MySims offered a Nintendo-centric spin on the franchise, aiming to rival games like Animal Crossing. Although formulaic, its charm led to several sequels exploring different genres—proof that its initial magic was enough to have lasting appeal.
19. The Sims Online
- Platform: PC
- Released: 2002 (closed 2008)
By using assets from the original game, The Sims Online became a social sandbox where avatars interacted in real-time. Despite its chaotic nature, it gained a niche following, and community efforts to recreate the experience have persisted beyond its closure.
18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
- Released: 2004
The Urbz broke away from suburbia to explore urban living, portraying a glamorized city lifestyle with gigs and celebrity encounters. This home console version, while not as beloved as its handheld counterpart, offered notable cameos like that of The Black Eyed Peas.
17. The Sims Life Stories
- Platforms: Windows, Mac
- Released: 2007
Aimed at low-spec PCs, this spin-off cleverly leveraged The Sims 2’s existing assets to craft engaging, soap-opera worthy narratives. From vengeful exes to satellite mishaps, this entry had drama in spades, perfect for those who crave story-driven gameplay.
16. The Sims Mobile
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Released: 2018
Though it’s received its final update, The Sims Mobile remains a staple for players on the go, continuing to delight with character-rich narratives and the chance to showcase other players’ creative achievements.
15. The Sims Castaway Stories
- Platforms: PC, Mac
- Released: 2008
This series outlier invites you to weave your own tale on a Lost-inspired island, veering from the typical focus on capitalism towards a community-based narrative—it’s a refreshing deviation from the norm.
14. The Sims 2 (console)
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
- Released: 2005
The console version of The Sims 2 might not have matched its PC counterpart, yet it delivered unique twists through engrossing household dynamics and drama-filled narratives that distinguished it within the series.
13. The Sims Freeplay
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Released: 2011
Proven to be a juggernaut in the mobile gaming space, The Sims Freeplay, inspired by The Sims 3, challenges players with real-time gameplay and city-building elements, encapsulating the spirit of The Sims—with a twist.
12. MySims Kingdom
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
- Released: 2008 (remastered 2024)
Trading the cozy MySims aesthetics for a fantasy RPG-lite, MySims Kingdom gives you the royal task of saving an island through creative design, befriending everything from cowboys to celestial travelers.
11. The Sims 2 Castaway
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2007
Borrowing a page from survival games, this console entry casts you away to a deserted paradise, challenging players to build from scratch while solving the island’s mysteries. A predecessor to some beloved exploration titles today.
10. The Sims: Console Edition
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
- Released: 2003
This console version is radically different from the PC game, introducing original characters and storylines while carving its unique niche in series lore. Its sequel followed so closely that you might wonder if it was just a fleeting fever dream.
9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
- Platforms: GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2004
This handheld version took a bolder turn with a narrative diving into the heart of crime, vampiric encounters, and larger-than-life adventures. It’s remembered fondly for its unexpected depth and witty storytelling.
8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
- Released: 2003-2004
Bustin’ Out leaned into mobility and interaction, transforming career progression into a strategic battle against the commercial empire, all while getting out and experiencing the game’s world like never before.
7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
- Platforms: PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
- Released: 2005
Though each handheld version differed dramatically, together they offered rich narrative adventures that expanded the universe of The Sims 2 for on-the-go sleuths eager to unravel mysteries and delve deep into lore.
6. MySims Agents
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
- Released: 2009
MySims Agents cleverly wrapped a rich, engaging mystery inside a light-hearted package, making it a standout title in the adventure genre, and now whispers of a remaster make it hard to not get excited.
5. The Sims Medieval
- Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS
- Released: 2010-2011
An ambitious attempt to diverge into medieval themes turned out to be a cult favorite, blending life sim elements with a light RPG twist, and though short-lived, its charm keeps a loyal fanbase hoping for revival.
4. The Sims 3
- Platforms: PC, Mac, and almost every console of its era
- Released: 2009-2014
Trailblazing with its open world concept, The Sims 3 set a bold precedent. Though occasionally burdened by the weight of its own complexity, the foundation it laid still influences aspiring life simulators today.
3. The Sims 4
- Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Released: 2014-present
Continuously evolving, The Sims 4 is the most debated but ultimately transformative entry, offering quality-of-life improvements and a significant focus on inclusivity, providing a modern sim experience unmatched by its predecessors.
2. The Sims
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- Released: 2000-2003
The original masterpiece stunned with its depth, complexity, and penchant for chaos, earning its reputation not just as a game but as a phenomenon that paved the way for an entire genre’s evolution.
1. The Sims 2
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Java
- Released: 2004-2008
The crème de la crème of life sims, The Sims 2 struck the perfect balance: innovative yet familiar, challenging without being punishing. With compelling storylines and a dynamic age mechanic, it became the gold standard. Its legacy endures, thanks to its apt blend of storytelling, humor, and seamless gameplay.
