The Top 25 Sims Games in Celebration of The Sims’ 25th Anniversary

As The Sims franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary, it’s a momentous occasion for fans old and new. Did you know just how expansive The Sims universe is? Beyond the countless expansion packs and DLC, there are a multitude of standalone games under The Sims banner that barely scratch the surface of this vast world.

If you guessed there were only four Sims games, you’re in for a delightful surprise. To mark this milestone, I’ve curated a list of the top 25 Sims games throughout its storied history. Dive in, enjoy, and perhaps even discover a few titles you weren’t aware of.

25. The Sims 2 Apartment Pets
Platforms: Nintendo DS
Released in 2008, this standalone title emerged towards the end of The Sims 2 era. It creatively combined elements from popular expansion packs into a cute DS-centric adventure. While not a fan favorite, its unique pet minigames and charming story provide a sweet diversion.

24. MySims Sky Heroes
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Debuting in 2010, Sky Heroes marked the end of the MySims series. While it may not have reached the heights of MySims Agents, it uniquely allowed players to pilot planes and explore a narrative with subtle dystopian undertones—a rare treat for Sims enthusiasts.

23. The Sims Pet Stories
Platforms: PC, Mac
Released in 2007, this title stood as an entry in The Sims Stories trilogy. Designed for those with lower-end hardware, it offered a streamlined experience that still delivered heartfelt moments, albeit occasionally feeling like a lighter version of its full-fledged sibling, The Sims 2.

22. The Sims 2 Pets
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS
Between 2006-2007, this title brought pet-centric fun to various consoles, echoing the popularity of Nintendogs. Pets were the show’s real stars here, almost suggesting a separate title solely focused on these furry friends.

21. The Sims Social
Platform: Facebook
Active only between 2011 and 2013, this social media experiment aimed to ride the wave of Farmville’s success, integrating with platforms like Facebook. Despite its short lifespan, it remains a nostalgic memory for those who played, not least for successfully teaming up with Lady Gaga.

20. MySims
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo Switch
This 2007-2008 release dared to challenge Animal Crossing by launching a Nintendo-first sub-franchise. Cute and engaging, MySims laid the foundation for five sequels, each exploring varied themes from party games to adventure stories.

19. The Sims Online
Platform: PC
From 2002 to its closure in 2008, The Sims Online offered a virtual social playground, recalling the chaos of early internet interactions with a distinct Sims touch. Despite its official servers being down, fan recreations kept the spirit alive until late last year.

18. The Urbz: Sims in the City (console)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
In 2004, this title turned the suburban theme on its head, showcasing a vibrant depiction of city life. Although its handheld counterpart outshone it, the console version claimed unique clout with its iconic Black Eyed Peas cameo.

17. The Sims Life Stories
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Hitting the shelves in 2007, this installment didn’t need gimmicks to shine. Instead, it thrived on its quirky, pre-scripted stories, which appealed particularly to players who revelled in treating the Sims characters like stars of dramatic soap operas.

16. The Sims Mobile
Platforms: iOS, Android
Though it received its last major update in early 2024, The Sims Mobile debuted in 2018 and continues to be a favorite for gamers on the move. Its engaging quests and character-driven narratives are its crowning achievements.

15. The Sims Castaway Stories
Platforms: PC, Mac
This 2008 game diverged from previous formulae by embracing adventure-inspired elements, weaving a narrative reminiscent of popular shows like Lost, and exploring community over isolated survival.

14. The Sims 2 (console)
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
Coming out in 2005, the console version of The Sims 2 offered its own dramatic flair with unique household dynamics, though it had to sacrifice some features due to hardware constraints.

13. The Sims Freeplay
Platforms: iOS, Android
First released in 2011, Freeplay impressively continues to thrive with routine updates. With inspiration taken from The Sims 3 and a real-time gameplay loop, it challenges players to uplift entire towns.

12. MySims Kingdom
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch, PC
Released and remastered between 2008 and 2024, this sequel offers a delightful mix of light RPG and home design tasks in a quasi-medieval setting, making it an ever-refreshing tale.

11. The Sims 2 Castaway
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
From 2007, Castaway stood out as a unique take on Sims gameplay with survival elements on a desert island, diverging from its PC counterpart.

10. The Sims: Console Edition
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube
In 2003, instead of a direct port, this title offered unique gameplay elements on par with its contemporaries, creating a wholly distinct Sims console experience.

9. The Urbz: Sims in the City (handheld)
Platforms: GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS
Released in 2004, this handheld variant immersed players into engaging storylines involving crime, danger, and even supernatural elements.

8. The Sims: Bustin’ Out
Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage
This 2003-2004 sequel to the console edition focused on expansive gameplay and varied locales, battling capitalism in a bid to regain control from an infamous tycoon.

7. The Sims 2 (handheld)
Platforms: PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
Different from its PC namesake, this 2005 release offered thrilling social-sim adventures in pre-existing Sims neighborhoods, revealing deeper game lore.

6. MySims Agents
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
The 2009 release provided an unexpectedly enriching adventure, blending charming aesthetics with intriguing narratives, earning it the status of a hidden gem.

5. The Sims Medieval
Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS
Released between 2010 and 2011, this spinoff combined Sims charm with RPG elements, carving its niche as a game far removed from the hustles of regular Sims life.

4. The Sims 3
Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, multiple others
Between 2009 and 2014, this installment set ambitious benchmarks with its open-world environments and customizability, pushing the technical envelope of the series.

3. The Sims 4
Platforms: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Since 2014, the latest ongoing series entry has consistently innovated, embracing modern inclusivity and quality-of-life improvements, cementing its place in Sims history.

2. The Sims
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
From the year 2000, the original set the standard. Its groundbreaking gameplay compacted life’s chaos into a digital dollhouse, earning its reputation as a classic.

1. The Sims 2
Platforms: PC, Mac, Java
The 2004-2008 era was synonymous with this entry’s perfect balance of humor, realism, and beloved lore, making it a timeless favorite for many!

Whether you’re reminiscing or discovering them anew, these games highlight the creativity and innovation that The Sims franchise has offered over the years.