On January 31, 2025, Electronic Arts (EA) made waves by re-releasing the beloved original entries of The Sims franchise, namely The Sims and The Sims 2, marking the series' 25th anniversary. Fans can now relive their favorite virtual life games, packed with nearly every piece of downloadable content (DLC) from the respective titles.
The new Legacy Collection bundles are available for PC users via various platforms, including Steam, EA’s app, and the Epic Games Store. The Sims: Legacy Collection retails for $19.99, including all its expansions, except for the DLC pack IKEA Home Stuff due to licensing issues. Meanwhile, The Sims 2: Legacy Collection is priced at $29.99, also featuring most of its expansions, providing fans myriad ways to recreate their imaginative stories.
Players seeking both nostalgic experiences can snag the 25th Birthday Bundle for $39.99, allowing for savings compared to purchasing each bundle separately. This celebration has sparked significant excitement as fans rejoice over the nostalgia of their formative virtual years.
The Sims, first launched on February 4, 2000, alongside its sequel released four years later, is lauded as one of the best-selling video game franchises, selling nearly 200 million copies worldwide. The re-released Legacy Collections invite both long-standing and newer players to explore the roots of this life simulation phenomenon.
Even though the Legacy collections are not remastered versions, they incorporate contemporary technology to run smoothly on Windows 10 and 11, making them more accessible than ever.
Notably, the launch of these collections coincided with the release of a comedic, live-action trailer celebrating the series’ quirks and memorable moments, which is sure to resonate with fans who have logged countless hours immersing themselves in their Sims’ lives.
While the resurgence of these classic games is exciting, not all feedback has been glowing. The Sims 1 is notoriously regarded as considerably more challenging than its successors, with gameplay mechanics clashing with how modern players engage with the series.
Older entries demand efficient management of various needs, leading many to describe The Sims 1 as akin to playing “Dark Souls”, overwhelming newer players unaccustomed to the game's steep learning curve. The Sims characters have their needs drop quickly, prompting swift reactions from players to prevent disastrous outcomes ranging from job losses to character death, especially amid the game’s frequent fire hazards.
Newcomers might face unpleasant surprises when trying to navigate the intimidating systems for managing their Sims' lives, posing the question: will this learning curve prevent newer players from fully embracing the legacy of the first two games?
Despite the charm of retro difficulties, it has sparked discussions on balancing the authentic challenge of earlier titles with the simplicity and ease introduced by later iterations. Suggestions have surfaced advocating for adjustable difficulty settings, which would appeal to new players without compromising the retro essence.
Coping strategies such as cheats or mods are likely to emerge swiftly from the dedicated Sims community, ensuring new players can bend the rules to keep their Sims alive without overwhelming frustration. Learning to save regularly—a lesson learned the hard way for many veterans—will also be pivotal for those unacquainted with the game's harsher realities.
Overall, the following days are expected to be packed with nostalgic gaming experiences and shared memories, with each collection serving up various expansions like The Sims: Livin’ Large, House Party, and Vacation. For The Sims 2, players can expect to guide their Sims through generational storytelling with expansions like University, Nightlife, Seasons, and much more.
EA aims to commemorate and celebrate this milestone with more releases on the way for The Sims universe. Looking forward, EA has teased other upcoming projects, including MySims Cozy Bundle for PC and insights on The Sims 4, set to be revealed during the anniversary livestream on February 4. The company assures fans they will continue to expand The Sims universe and the legacy of life simulation gaming.
With the digital re-release of The Sims and The Sims 2, players now have the opportunity to revisit old favorites with untouched charm or, for some, to navigate their first experience with the life simulation craze, whether filled with joyful scenarios or disastrous mishaps.”