The Simsfranchise has been entertaining players for over two decades, and with each iteration ofThe Simscomes an array of expansion packs. Each pack centers around a specific theme bringing new gameplay, objects, life states, Create-a-Sim items, and other hidden mechanics to the base game.
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Players can be selective on what expansions they decide to buy, depending on their playstyle. But certain expansion packs across the entire franchise have proven to be must-haves, addingmuch-needed improvements and classic featuresto the base game of each iteration in addition to new neighborhoods and experiences for players to enjoy.
8The Sims: Superstar
The Sims: Superstarwas pure vibes, plain and simple. Its soundtrack is enough to transport any millennial back to the simpler time of trying to mingle with celebrities in Studio Town, from Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol to Avril Lavigne and Christina Aguilera (to name a few). In addition, the expansion pack came with three new career options, allowing players to follow in the footsteps of these big names as an actor, singer, or model.
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Superstarwas also the first game where players could follow their Sims to work. To work in these career paths, they would have to travel to Studio Town to record songs, pose in photoshoots, and run lines. And as each career had no set hours of work, it was the player’s decision in how hard they would make their Sims work for fame and fortune to succeed inone of the most profitable careers.
7The Sims: Makin’ Magic
As expansion packs forThe Simsgo, nothing tops the absurdity ofThe Sims: Makin’ Magic. As the largest expansion pack forThe Sims,Makin’ Magicintroduced the supernatural into its world as a final hoorah before the release ofThe Sims 2.
After a visit from the Mystery Man, Sims could carve out a path as a witch or wizard and create magic charms and spells with the right ingredients. And forgetThe Sims: Unleashedbecause Sims could keep a dragon as a pet in this expansion pack. But unlike inThe Sims 4: Realm of Magic, dragons don’t aid in spellcasting – they’re simply fire-breathing pets.Makin’ Magicalsointroduced Bonehilda for the first time, a character that has become a staple of the franchise.
6The Sims 2: Nightlife
As the second expansion pack inThe Sims 2, this game had much to live up to followingThe Sims 2: University.But it definitely delivered, seeing asThe Sims 2: Nightlifeintroduced cars for the first time. Despite reappearing inThe Sims 3, nothing will live up to the gameplay mechanics offered in this expansion pack. Simple actions like Sims backing a car out of a garage and opening its doors add a semblance of realism compared to Sims magically teleporting into their vehicles inThe Sims 3.
Aside from cars,Nightlifecame with a new downtown area with recreational activities for Sims to enjoy, like bowling, karaoke bars, dining, and dancing. Dating was a major aspect of this expansion, with a new mini-game to keep the romance alive, along with the turn-ons and turn-offs mechanic.
5The Sims 2: Seasons
The Sims 2added a lot of firsts to the franchise, including seasons. Unlike future iterations of the expansion pack, the attention to detail inThe Sims 2: Seasonsmakes the weather feel like it affected the world, not just the Sims inhabiting it. The snow got heavy, and there was even an animation of the rain running down the roof tiles. Even if players didn’t necessarily see or experience these details, it showed the care and attention those working on the game had for the franchise.
Aside from the weather,Seasonssaw the complete introduction of PlantSims. This life state had different needs than normal Sims, simply surviving on Love, Water, and Sunlight. With the implementation of PlantSims came gardening, allowing Sims to grow and harvest their own produce.
4The Sims 3: Generations
A firm favoriteamong family players,The Sims 3: Generationsfocused on providing each life phase with a central theme – from imagination for kids to reminiscing about family for elders. Each generation gets its fair share of new gameplay mechanics and activities, making families and relationships feel much more deeply connected than in just the base game.Generationsalso saw the return of memories fromThe Sims 2, which had been absent up until this point.
Generationsalso gave kids and teenagers much more to do inThe Sims 3, including after-school activities like ballet and scouts for kids, drama club, debate team, school band, student newspaper, and sports teams for teens. They can also be enrolled in five new boarding schools to fit their interests, which can set them up for careers through skill building.
3The Sims 3: Pets
Compared to other animal expansions in the franchise,The Sims 3: Petswas by far the most ambitious due to its inclusion of horses. Not only could Sims look after them as pets, but they could ride them around the open world, enter them into racing and jumping competitions, and sell them for a profit. And like inThe Sims 2: Pets, animals are controllable, meaning horses can get up to a lot of mischief.
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Aside from the animals Sims can own, the new world of Appaloosa Plains is populated with herds of wild horses that Sims can tame, in addition to unicorns. Deer and raccoons also inhabit the world (which Sims can pet), much like foxes and rabbits inThe Sims 4: Cottage Living.
2The Sims 4: Cottage Living
WhileThe Sims 4has yet to reintroduce horses,Cottage Livingallowed players to farm animalsfor the first time in the franchise. Now Sims can keep cows, chickens, and llamas, sell their produce, and bond with the animals as an extension ofThe Sims 4: Cats & Dogs. The game also comes with the unique, English-inspired village Henford-on-Bagley. It’s the most unique neighborhood in the game, whereby Sims can hang out at the local pub, explore the local woodland, visit the village market, and even run errands for other Sims.
Henford-on-Bagley also has its fair share of wildlife roaming the countryside, including foxes, rabbits, and birds. And ifSims living the rural lifebefriend the rabbits and birds, they can help with chores around their farms or gardens in addition to giving adorable gifts.
1The Sims 4: Growing Together
Mechanics fromThe Sims 2returned inThe Sims 4: Growing Together, making relationships and family dynamics between Sims feel more realistic. While this is something many fans wished was introduced into the base game, it’s a breath of fresh air to see Sims have deeper connections with each other.Growing Togetheralso reintroduces the memory mechanic, making legacy gameplay more impactful. Milestones have a lot more weight, with the introduction of firsts for the new infant life state as well as kids losing their baby teeth.
While infants have also been implemented through the base game via an update,Growing Togetherfocuses more on the new life state with objects like playpens, baby gates, and changing tables. Adult Sims can now carry babies around in carriers, in addition to a lot more social interactions, which makes the babies and infants feel less like objects – particularly with the new behaviors for infants, which develop over time as they grow.Growing Togethermay not have thesame impact asGenerationsdid inThe Sims 3, but it’s a step in the right direction forThe Sims 4.
