First released in February of 2000, The Sims changed the landscape of casual at-home gaming for the new millennium.
The first life-simulation, virtual world game to successfully build on the formula created for Little Computer People (1985) and The Game of Life (1970), The Sims offered a customisable and interactive world of digital creation geared toward all ages and genders.
In the 24 years since The Sims was created, there have been four official rereleases alongside a vast selection of expansion packs featuring new and improved gameplay and ground-breaking graphics.
Many hardcore lovers of The Sims refuse to play anything other than The Sims 2 (2004). Beloved for its perfect blend of functionality and flexibility, lovers of The Sims 2 also praise the fact that it is the most true-to-life simulator of them all. It makes sense, then, that the 2004 edition remains one of the best-selling PC games of all time.
Nevertheless, The Sims 4 (2014), despite its rocky launch, offers unbeatable detail and design elements. Meanwhile, The Sims 3 (2009) provides a subtle bridge between the latest edition and the game which preceded it.
Ultimately, which edition you go for is up to you – though we’d recommend first-time players go for the version best suited to modern gaming sensibilities and graphics, which is undoubtedly The Sims 4. This is notably due to the free, regular base game updates and extensive expansion packs which can be downloaded digitally with themes including supernatural side-quests and cottage-core living.
Yet what exactly is it about virtual life simulation that The Sims lovers find so fascinating? Though we haven’t exactly conducted a study on the subject, it can be argued that the frivolous and oftentimes comical nature of life in The Sims serves as a much-needed escape from reality – right down to the hilarious gibberish known as ‘Simlish’ which sims speak.
What’s more, in the two decades of development which The Sims has undergone, the creative and customisable aspects of the game are truly out-of-this-world. From the excellent responsiveness and flexibility offered in build mode, right down to the ability to alter the constellation of freckles on your Sim’s face.
Successful architects have even credited years of virtual housebuilding on The Sims as the inspiration behind their chosen careers. Content creators and TikTok influencers continue to make a living from live-streaming gameplay and allowing users to follow the development of Sims families without having to put in the hours themselves.
Plus, with the development of The Sims 5 officially announced by EA and a Margot Robbie-led blockbuster in the works, there’s never been a better time to get back into the wildly entertaining computer game.
Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of where and how to buy all versions of The Sims. From digital downloads to old-school discs, we’ve got you covered.
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Electronic Arts The Sims Digital Download
It’s official, The Sims 4 base game is free to download via EA. You’ll first have to make sure that you’ve got the EA app downloaded for Windows, or the Origin app for Mac depending on which computer you’ll be gaming on. Nowadays, the real fun lies in the seemingly unending range of expansion packs on offer. EA is currently hosting a spring sale, which means that the price of all expansion packs has been slashed – with discounts ranging from 25 per cent off to 60 per cent off.
Grab the Island Living, Get Famous, 4 Seasons and Cats & Dogs expansion packs for just £13.99 each. Cowboys and girls can enjoy the Horse Ranch expansion pack for £21.69, and the For Rent pack for £26.24.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
The Sims 4 Crystal Creations
Create digital jewellery and gemstone-adorned pieces with the Crystal Creations expansion pack. Ideal for lovers of DIY and crafts, the expansion pack is kitted out with cosy outfits and workroom-ready furniture as well as a set of beautiful jewellery created in collaboration with Simmer Arethabee.
Buy now £8.99, Amazon
The Sims 4 StrangerVille
Spooky and surreal, the StrangerVille expansion pack offers so much more than additional build and wardrobe options. Instead, StrangerVille plunges you into the depths of the most bizarre Sim storylines, offering you the ability to explore a rural desert shrouded in secrecy. From joining the military and investigating top-secret labs to becoming a fully-fledged secret agent, the opportunities are endless.
Buy now £10.79, Amazon
The Sims 4 Standard Edition | XBOX One
Xbox users can now play The Sims 4 from the comfort of their living room sofas. Explore the world of virtual life simulation on your favourite console.
Buy now £16.50, Amazon
The Sims 3 PC Mac Gaming Bundle Base Game & 8 Expansions
Explore the infinite wonders of The Sims 3 with this base game and set of eight expansion packs, including two highly sought after and limited-edition options.
Buy now £39.99, eBay
The Sims 2 PC Base Game / All Expansion Packs
A cult-favourite for a reason, The Sims 2 and its array of good-time expansion packs can be bought in disc form via eBay from just £3.50.
Buy now £3.50, eBay
The Sims (PC CD)
Are you an old-school gaming enthusiast desperate for just one run-through of the original The Sims PC game? Though pricier than a The Sims 4 digital download, this historical artefact is worth the investment
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
