It’s a monumental day for gamers as Electronic Arts (EA) officially re-releases The Sims and The Sims 2 on January 31, 2025. This long-awaited remaster brings back fond memories for fans of the beloved simulation games, now available on PC through platforms such as the EA App, Epic Game Store, and Steam.
After weeks of teasing, EA announced via social media and trailers the exciting return of these iconic games, which have been privy to discussions about their potential remaster for years. The announcement trailer, marked by nostalgia-inducing moments, showcased live-action reimagining of the weird and wonderful antics players can expect, from building dreamy homes to socializing with the Grim Reaper—if one of their Sims, as some do, meets their untimely demise by pool mishap.
Both titles are priced at $19.99 for The Sims and $29.99 for The Sims 2, with the enticing option of purchasing the full 25th Birthday Bundle containing both games for $39.99, saving players $10. "The Sims costs $19.99 and The Sims 2 costs $29.99, but players can buy a 25th Birthday Bundle containing both for $39.99, saving $10," reported by The Verge.
One of the standout features of this re-release is the integration of nearly all previously released downloadable content (DLC) for both games. The only notable absentee is the IKEA Home Stuff DLC, presumably due to licensing issues. Fans can enjoy all the classic packs from The Sims: Legacy Collection, which includes Livin’ Large, House Party, Hot Date, and many more, alongside The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, featuring popular packs like University, Nightlife, and Pets among others.
Modernization has also been part of the update; both games are compatible with Windows 10 and 11 and feature updated rendering engines for improved graphics. "Both games have been updated to run on Windows 10 and 11, and have an updated rendering engine," noted entertainment outlet Polygon. The original Sims will operate at its original resolution, but players now have the ability to choose from different pixel scaling options to optimize visual performance on modern monitors.
A significant highlight for long-time players is the ability to copy over their old save files, demonstrating EA's respect for the dedicated fan base stemming from the original games. The publisher also mentioned original mod support, indicating, "Players will be able to copy over their old save files to the new versions, and EA says both games support original mods, but they haven’t all been tested and ‘it’ll be up to individual mod creators to ...ensure mods work with the new version.’” Such features clearly showcase EA's intention to cater to nostalgic gamers who have cherished these titles for decades.
Still, expectations of reimagining were higher for some fans, who were hoping for enhanced quality-of-life improvements or comprehensive remasters. While both titles are undoubtedly beloved, "it’s worth mentioning there's nothing new about this re-release unfortunately," commented Eurogamer. Fans had anticipated more significant updates or new content, but the release stays true to the classics.
The road to this digital release has not been easy. The original version of The Sims was notorious for being difficult to play on modern systems because it was never previously released digitally, forcing players to seek out old discs, find appropriate disc drives for their PCs, and sometimes hunt for user-created patches. Today’s announcement, then, marks the first digital release of these gaming classics. Many players are celebrating the chance to experience the nostalgia without the technical hassles.
EA’s announcement signifies more than just the return of old favorites; it encapsulates 25 years of The Sims franchise. Earlier this month, the official X account for The Sims released video teasers with nostalgic visuals, hinting at the upcoming tribute to this dedicated gaming community. Plans were laid out to celebrate the franchise's milestone, including events marked as “Nostalgia Now.”
Fans of The Sims and casual gamers alike are eagerly dismissing their apprehensions over the absence of major updates, instead relishing the chance to revisit these beloved games. The discussions surrounding their return highlight the impact these simulation titles have had on gaming culture and the community it has built over years.
This remaster is both celebration and reaffirmation, as The Sims and The Sims 2 return to the digital shelves, reminding fans of the joyous and sometimes chaotic gameplay they once adored. With swimming pools ready for unconventional Sims antics, thousands of players are ready to jump back and create new, and possibly absurd, tales linked with The Sims once again.