The Simsfranchise has seen four main installments since its first release in 2000. The latest installment,The Sims 4,has been successful and is beloved by many players and fans of the franchise. The console editions ofThe Sims 4replicate the PC gameplay experience, and the Gallery feature was even ported to consoles on Jun 01, 2025. Console ports and PCs offer their own pros and cons when playingThe Sims, but players can have fantastic experiences with their console counterparts.
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The franchise has had other console ports and spin-offs that either replicated or expanded on each installment. These were met with varying success.According to Metacritic, each title and spin-off had its own top performersamong the console and handheld editions.
8The Sims 2: Pets PlayStation 2 Edition - 68% Metascore
With a 68% Metascore, the PlayStation 2 edition ofThe Sims 2: Petsmay be the highest score among its peers, but a middling score overall. This console edition was not an expansion pack for the PlayStation 2 version ofThe Sims 2and was a standalone game.
The gameplay for this edition was less goal-oriented and more open for players. Players' Sims could care for dogs and cats, make their pets have offspring, and train them. These features were like the PC version of the game, however, Sims could not age or have children.
7The Sims 3: Pets Nintendo 3DS Edition - 72% Metascore
The Sims 3: Petsfor consoles was a standalone release in 2011. The Nintendo 3Ds scored 72% on Metacritic. UnlikeThe Sims 4: Cats and Dogsis toThe Sims 4, this was not a DLC toThe Sims 3console version.
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The game included the basic features ofThe Sims 3console version, but with pets. In this edition, however, Sims could not have children. Players could create cats or dogs, customize their coats and personalities, and work towards their goals.The Sims 3:Petsisn’t the only pet simulation gamefor players to enjoy cute and cuddly animals.
6The Sims 2: Castaway Wii Edition - 73% Metascore
This is almost like the cozy gameStardew Valleyhad a Sims game offspring withAnimal Crossing: New Horizons. Before players weremessing with the turnip stock market, they hadThe Sims 2: Castaway.The Wii edition ofThe Sims 2: Castawayhas a 73% Metascore, narrowly beating the Playstation 2 edition.The Sims 2: Castawaywas a standalone release and not a DLC forThe Sims 2Playstation 2 version.
Players would create at least one Sim to make up their group of castaways. By working through goals that also served as a guide to surviving on the islands in the game, Players worked towards getting their Sims either off the island or thriving on it.
5The Urbz: Sims In The City GameCube Edition - 73% Metascore
The console/handheld version that received the highest score is the GameCube version at 73%, and the lowest is the Nintendo DS version at 67%. Music group The Black Eyed Peas featured as characters in the console versions and translated some songs into Simlish to feature in the game. With the Black Eyed Peas' help,The Urbs: Sims in the Citygives players a chance to build their Sim up as part of thenext great rags-to-riches story.
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The Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS versions have their own storylines as sequels to the handheld versions ofThe Sims: Bustin Out.
4The Sims 2 PlayStation 2 Edition - 75% Metascore
The highest-scoring console/handheld edition ofThe Sims 2is the PlayStation 2 version. Even if it slightly lives in the shadow of thehighly-rankedThe Sims 2PC edition, the PlayStation 2 console port is quite enjoyable. Reminiscent ofThe Sims, the PlayStation 2 edition ofThe Sims 2has players working their way through the game through a ‘moving up, moving out’ style. Starting with a singular Sim, players complete goals on the starter lot to unlock other areas and advance in the game. It also had a multiplayer, split-screen feature.
The Sims 2on Playstation 2 also differed from its predecessor in how Sims were controlled. Players had direct control over their Sims' movements, and they could choose to queue up their actions in the same method asThe Sims.
3The Sims 3 PlayStation 3 Edition - 78% Metascore
The Sims 3PC version is still loved by some fans, with some features that are still beloved enough towarrant a possible inclusion inThe Sims 4.The Sims 3 Xbox and Playstation 3 ports are well received, with the PlayStation 3 edition receiving a 78% Metascore.The Sims 3PlayStation 3 version mirrored the PC version’s gameplay.
Now, Sims on the console could have children and raise them throughout their life stages. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions also had the Exchange feature, allowing players to upload and download other players' creations into their game.
2The Sims Bustin’ Out GameCube, PS2, Xbox Editions - 81% Metascore
The Metacritic scores are at 81% for the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox ports for the title. The selling point ofThe Sims: Bustin' Outwas the Sims' newfound ability (at the time) to leave their home lots. The PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube versions featured two modes of play: Bust Out Mode as a story mode, and Freeplay mode. This titledeserves a comeback, among other spin-offs, and there was once a mod by modder Kawaiistacie that sought to recreate theBustin' Outexperience inThe Sims 4.
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There was an online play feature accessible on the Playstation 2 called ‘Online Weekend’. This feature was shut down on July 03, 2025, but players who still want the experience can set up a similar experience through the popular fan-made onlineThe Simsexperience, FreeSo.
1The Sims GameCube Edition - 85% Metascore
With the scores forallThe Simsconsole ports coming out quite close, the GameCube edition is the highest Metascore at 85%. The game had single and multiplayer options, as well as free play and story mode.
The GameCube version had the same features as the other console versions. The same ‘Get A Life’ story mode was included, where players took their Sim through goal-oriented gameplay to climb their way up the social, professional, and housing ladder. Years later, thelatest Sims installment is still a recommended cozy gamefor the latest-gen consoles.
