On January 31, 2025, Electronic Arts (EA) and developer Maxis announced the re-release of two cornerstone titles from their acclaimed franchise to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Sims. The Sims and The Sims 2 are now available for PC, reigniting the nostalgia of longtime players and making them accessible to new gamers alike.
The re-releases are part of the larger celebration of The Sims’ legacy. Both games can be purchased individually as The Sims: Legacy Collection for $19.99 and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection for $29.99. Alternatively, players can opt for the bundle package, The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, which includes both games and additional content for $39.99. This bundle features not only the re-released titles but also The Sims 4's Throwback Fit Kit and Grunge Revival Kit.
The re-released versions are fully compatible with modern Windows operating systems—10 and 11—which had hindered earlier access to these beloved games. Players can now enjoy all original features along with many nostalgically cherished expansion and stuff packs of each title. The Sims: Legacy Collection includes the base game along with seven expansions: Livin’ Large, House Party, Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar, and Makin’ Magic. Meanwhile, The Sims 2: Legacy Collection encompasses the base game plus the exhaustive list of expansions, including University, Nightlife, and Pets, among others, ensuring the complete experience is available to fans.
“Bringing back our original Sims games where all the chaos first unfolded and the life simulation genre began is special for our team and a birthday treat for our players,” commented Kate Gorman Revelli, Vice President and General Manager of The Sims. “Our players have been wishing to relive all the nostalgia, and we knew our birthday would be the perfect moment to celebrate with them and introduce The Sims to new players.” This sentiment resonates deeply with those who experienced the cultural phenomenon when it first launched.
Players can expect not only to relive the gameplay, but also the cultural impact both of these titles have made since their original releases—The Sims debuted back in 2000, paving the way for life simulation games, encouraging creativity, storytelling, and inclusive gameplay.
The upcoming return of these classic games addresses the calls from the fan community, which has often expressed desires to revisit the unique gameplay experiences and narratives these originals offered. Both titles have played various pivotal roles, enhancing personal storytelling and exploration through its open-world format, which encouraged unique gameplay experiences through the player’s choices.
The Sims 2, often hailed as the pinnacle of the series, is noted for introducing storytelling mechanics with family legacies and memories, providing compelling emotional arcs. The nostalgia hits hard, with avid players recalling their adventures with beloved characters like the iconic Bella Goth and the numerous hilariously chaotic life scenarios the game offered—from accidental house fires to family feuds.
This re-release has been met with excitement from fans who logged countless hours orchestrated the lives of their Sims, often subjecting them to delightful mischief. The graphic updates and performance improvements make the titles feel fresh, yet nostalgically familiar, maintaining the pixel aesthetic players adore.
The timing of this release, to coincide with The Sims' 25th anniversary, has allowed the gaming community to come together to celebrate the lasting impact the franchise has had over the years. Gorman Revelli expressed optimism for the franchise's future, stating, “We look forward to another exciting 25 years of The Sims as we continue empowering our community to reimagine all the different ways they play with life.”
The Sims and The Sims 2 Legacy Collections are now available for download. For new players and veterans alike, they offer not just the chance to play beloved classics, but to engage with the myriad possibilities of life simulation gaming. It’s not simply about building homes and creating characters; it’s about exploring narratives and finding joy within the chaos of fictional lives.
So, whether you're eager to introduce The Sims to friends unfamiliar with the franchise or hoping to revisit your childhood memories of chaotic Sims antics, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the fun. With these classic titles back on the market, players can guide their Sims through love, life, and of course, the occasional death by cowplant—all within the nostalgic world of The Sims.