The Sims is one of, if not the biggest gaming IP today. Over the years, it has achieved mammoth success not only with its PC life simulation games, but with quirky spin-offs that have spanned many consoles.
Maxis and Electronic Arts' Sims series now has four strong entries, the first three of which have titles on Nintendo and PlayStation consoles, and even on mobile. The Sims 4 is the only installment to receive no different types of games, only the classic simulation game on two different platforms. Yet, the weird and wonderful spinoffs are a huge selling point for many fans. No matter how many Sims 4 titles there are, the past array of strange games needs a comeback.
9 The Sims 2 (DS)
The first entry on this list is a strange one: a game set in the dustbowl of Strangetown. The Sims 2 on Nintendo DS sets the player on a journey of managing a hotel in the almost deserted town, destined to fix up the dilapidated building and bring in tourism. New rooms and amenities can be unlocked, as well as a superhero suit so that the player can fight any wandering criminals in the town.
The premise of this game is wild — none of it makes much sense, but that's what makes it great. Bigfoot is lurking in a basement, and there's an alien spaceship in the desert. The Sims 2 for DS would have a lot of potential as a precedent for a Sims 4 console spin-off, if only EA would let it.
8 The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)
Bustin' Out was released in the early 2000s for PlayStation 2 and the GameBoy Advance. The odd thing is, the two games are different. The gameplay on the PS2 was similar to the PC games, but the real treasure is the GameBoy title.
In this spin-off, the player's Sim-self is on summer vacation in SimValley, visiting their uncle. Shenanigans of all types ensue. Players balance mini-game jobs to earn Simoleons, maintaining (and destroying) relationships, unlocking areas, and befriending ghosts. Bustin' Out was a great time, and still holds up to this day.
7 The Sims 2 (GBA)
No less weird than its DS counterpart, The Sims 2 on the GameBoy Advance featured a cast of characters filming a TV show in Strangetown — something must be in the water over there!
The DS and GBA games both have the same new NPCs, like Ara Fusilli and Tristan Legend. The gameplay has players trying to get good ratings from the audience — the Goth family — and act in "advertisement" mini-games to drive ratings and earnings. This Sims spin-off is another really out-there idea that could definitely be realized in greater terms with better technology than the grainy GameBoy.
6 The Urbz: Sims In The City
Another entry into Maxis' "different on each console" titles is The Urbz. The handheld Nintendo title entries were the same, and had a feel of a sequel to Bustin' Out. The story was the same sort of adventure, but with new characters and a new town.
The console versions, though, were a little more immersive. Having freshly moved to SimCity, the player goes about their life trying to build a good rep for themself and to fix a socialite's blimp. Oh, and it featured Wil.I.Am and the other Black Eyed Peas members! Interestingly, the owner of the blimp then escapes to Miniopolis, the setting for the handheld version of Urbz.
5 Sims 2 Castaway
As the name suggests, The Sims 2 Castaway features a group of (player-created) Sims who have been shipwrecked on a tropical island, conveniently named Shipwreck Island. A bit of island hopping and exploration leads to another island, and another, and eventual rescue.
Though there were numerous odd secrets in Castaway, it was a little less mind-bending. This entry proves that Maxis can create a good open-world adventure, that doesn't focus on cooking grilled cheeses for a bunch of kids.
4 SimCity
After all these years, gamers are begging EA to bring back SimCity. This game did not involve creating Sims, but an entire city — and was actually the idea behind the entire Sims franchise. The city builder featured disasters, waste management, taxes, "legalized" gambling and even monster attacks.
SimCity has had a slew of spiritual successors: Cities: Skylines and Anno 2070 do a good job of picking up where the series left off. A true sequel, however, could be amazing if done well. Even a full rendition of the SimCity: Build It app could be a worthwhile success.
3 MySims
Mostly based on Nintendo DS and Wii consoles, the MySims series has a more Animal Crossing feel than Sims. Players are in control of building up a town from its dilapidated state, attracting new citizens, who require more houses, which will attract more, and so on.
The MySims games were aimed at a slightly younger audience, but were still a good passive game to play with a catchy gameplay loop. The series could benefit from a new installment, especially with the addition of the Nintendo Switch and its accessibility.
2 The Sims Medieval
The Sims Medieval works as a spin-off to The Sims 3, running on the same engine. But that's where the similarities end. Medieval combines some Sim elements with classic role-playing game tropes, even incorporating armed combat. If anything, this is more akin to Baldur's Gate than The Sims main series games.
The game went on to include pirates and nobles, which expanded it to an even better adventure. Like others on this list, Medieval could be a good basis for a Sims 4 expansion, or a fully loaded game of its own.
1 Streets Of SimCity
In case gamers thought The Sims was the only franchise without a racing game spin-off, think again. Streets Of SimCity came out before The Sims, but it still counts. The game follows the typical racing gameplay, using cities featured in SimCity 2000. Human characters were not the main focus here, but this game could lead to something great.
Imagine it: a Sims 4 style racing game. Make an original character, or use classics like Bella Goth or Eliza Pancakes. Race around the well-known neighborhoods in Mario Kart-style hijinks.