The Sims & The Sims 2 Re-Release: A Nostalgic Deep Dive into Classic Simulation | EA the sims 1

Let’s be honest, who *hasn’t* lost hours, if not days, to the irresistible allure of The Sims?
The good news?
You’re about to have a fantastic excuse to do it all again!
EA has just announced a re-release of the first two games in the iconic life simulation series, The Sims and The Sims 2.
This comes as part of the franchise’s 25th-anniversary celebration, and it’s causing waves of nostalgia among long-time fans.
Get ready to rediscover (or discover for the first time) the titles that kickstarted it all!

The bundle, aptly named The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, is not just a simple repackaging.
It’s a journey back in time, complete with all the trimmings.
Both original games will be available together in the bundle or separately as The Sims Legacy Collection and The Sims 2 Legacy Collection. And for EA Play Pro members on the EA App, there’s unlimited access to both!
But here’s the real question: what exactly does this blast from the past entail?

The Sims Legacy Collection: Where It All Began

The Sims Legacy Collection isn’t just a copy-paste of the original.
It includes the base game and *all seven* of its expansion packs: *Livin’ Large, House Party, Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar,* and *Makin’ Magic.* Think about that for a second: all those classic gameplay tweaks and expansions are coming back.
Plus, you get *The Sims 4 Throwback Fit Kit* as a bonus, a nice little bridge between the old and new!

It’s a chance to return to simpler times when the challenges of Sim life were about building a house with a solitary grand piano and maybe, just maybe, figuring out how to get those darn gnomes to stay still.
The iconic characters, the familiar sounds, and the music…
it’s all there, waiting for you.
Remember the Y2K-inspired website that heralded the release of the original?
This rerelease is just like that moment, only this time, *we’re* the ones in charge of the chaos.
So, are you ready to dive back into the suburban simulation that started it all?

Ready to dive in?
You can pick up The Sims Legacy Collection for $19.99.
Here’s a quick video to get you hyped!

Stepping Up the Simulation: The Sims 2 Legacy Collection

Four years after the original took the world by storm, The Sims 2 arrived, expanding on the core experience with richer gameplay mechanics like new life stages and aspirations.
Let’s not forget the introduction of the now-ubiquitous stuff packs alongside numerous expansions.
This was a game-changer, and the Sims 2 Legacy Collection aims to bring all of that back into your life.
And this isn’t just the base game, this also includes a mountain of content.

The Sims 2 Legacy Collection is a deep dive into the golden era of *The Sims* with a whopping collection of DLC content: *University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Bon Voyage, Seasons, FreeTime, Apartment Life,* and a variety of stuff packs like *Holiday Party Pack, Family Fun Stuff, Glamour Life Stuff, Happy Holiday Stuff, Celebration!
Stuff, HM Fashion Stuff, Teen Style Stuff, Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff*, and *Mansion & Garden Stuff*.
Yes, it’s *all* there!
They even throw in *The Sims 4 Grunge Revival Kit* into the mix.
It’s an enormous amount of content that promises hours upon hours of gameplay.

For just $29.99, the Sims 2 Legacy Collection is yours, filled to the brim with content.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – why go back when we have The Sims 4?
Well, that brings us to the next point.

Rerelease vs Remake: What’s New?

Let’s get one thing straight: these aren’t remakes or even remasters.
They are rereleases, meaning that the core gameplay and art style remain the same.
What *has* changed?
Well, mostly under-the-hood stuff: compatibility with Windows 10 and 11, an updated rendering engine, more versatile pixel resolution scaling for large monitors, and, thankfully, a few bug fixes.
Don’t worry about your old saves; EA says that files from the old days *should* be compatible with the rereleases.
The same goes for mods—in theory, at least.
But that’s not all; these additions provide a smoother experience on modern systems without sacrificing what made the classics…well, classics!

The key is to understand that EA isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here.
They’re offering an opportunity to return to the roots of the franchise, or, for new players, to understand where the magic began.
But hey, if the price is right, who’s complaining?
You can snag both games in the The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle for $39.99, and it will be available on Windows 10 and 11, rolling out on January 31, 2025 on the EA App, Epic Games Store, and Steam.

Curious about the excitement surrounding this release?
Check out this video which gives even more insight:

A Return to Strangetown: Reliving the Chaos of The Sims 2

My own journey back into *The Sims 2* began with the familiar *“Sul!”* at the start, a simple intro sound that instantly made my heart flutter, and then the music…
oh, the music!
Mark Mothersbaugh’s bangers were stuck in my head for days on end.
Seriously, the nostalgia is *real*.
And of course, I had to choose Strangetown as my starting neighborhood.
That’s where the *real* fun begins; alien abductions, craters, UFOs – all those iconic oddities that set the sequel apart from the original.

The Create-a-Sim mode, while basic by modern standards, is still charming, throwing you right back into the early 2000s.
Think crop tops, mini skirts, and those gloriously gaudy outfits that make you cringe and smile at the same time.
I created my family, the Nightingales, and immediately went to work on their new home.
In build mode, I was once again serenaded by those nostalgic tunes.
Sure, navigation isn’t as easy as in *The Sims 4,* but the sheer volume of objects available is a treasure trove of early 2000s gaming style.
And yes, you *still* get to use all those classic cheat codes like *motherlode* for endless Simoleans.

Here’s where things get *interesting.*

The Jankiness Remains (and We Love It)

Let’s not beat around the bush: *The Sims 2* is, at times, a *broken* game.
Crashes, bugs, settings randomly disappearing…
they are all there in this rerelease.
I crashed countless times just trying to redesign my house.
However, I found myself saving every few minutes, and while some might be annoyed, this is a part of the experience.
The chaos, the bugs, the unexpected…
it’s all part of the charm.
After all, aren’t we gaming veterans used to a glitch or two?

The live mode, despite its jankiness, is where this game truly shines.
Random aliens, rotting newspapers, Sims jumping into my pool uninvited – it’s pure chaotic fun.
And it’s not just that; *The Sims 2* throws the player curveballs all the time.
Relationships take work, career decisions *actually matter*, and even the most mundane choices can impact your Sims’ happiness.
There isn’t a watered-down experience here, each choice you make has a tangible consequence.

Honestly, there’s a lot to love despite its performance related-quirks.
And here’s the thing – if you love The Sims 2, then you’ll love this rerelease.
Newcomers might have a different experience, as this isn’t as streamlined as the newest installments in the series.
However, it’s a wild ride, that much is certain.
You’ll either love it or hate it.
So, which side will you choose?

Fan Reactions and Community Buzz

The community’s excitement for this rerelease has been palpable, and it has echoed in various corners of the gaming world.
Just check out what some fans are saying:

The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle Breakdown

For a clearer picture, let’s break down what the *Sims 25th Birthday Bundle* actually contains.
It includes both *The Sims Legacy Collection* and *The Sims 2 Legacy Collection*, offering an almost complete picture of The Sims early years in one convenient package.
This means you get all the content from the original and the sequel, as well as the *Sims 4* kits, all for a combined price.
For those of us who are planning to dive deep into the classics, this bundle seems like the way to go.

Here’s a quick look at the differences between the various packages:

So what does this all add up to?
Well, it means you have options depending on your preferences and your budget.
If you are interested in only one of the games, then you can buy it separately.
But if you are planning to explore both (and who wouldn’t be?), the bundle really is the better value.
Also, let’s be honest, are you really going to stop at one of these games?

The Final Verdict: A Must-Have for Simmers

The re-release of *The Sims* and *The Sims 2* isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s an opportunity to understand the evolution of a genre.
These games are not just nostalgia pieces; they’re the foundation upon which modern life simulations are built.
The fact that EA has brought them back, warts and all, is a testament to their impact and legacy.

Sure, there are performance-related quirks, but they add to the overall experience.
I know, it sounds bizarre to be advocating for glitches, but, somehow, in these classics, they just…
fit.
For the veterans, these are welcome returns to chaos, and for the newcomers?
Well, they are the perfect window into what *The Sims* was all about and where the magic began.
Let’s be honest, you’ll either love them or hate them, and isn’t that part of the fun?
Go on, dig up some old save files and dive in!

With the Sims 25th Birthday Bundle, The Sims Legacy Collection, and The Sims 2 Legacy Collection, the 2000s are back and here to stay.

Are you ready to start crafting your own Sims legacies?
Let us know in the comments below, and until then, happy simming!