Quite possibly one of the most iconic PC gaming franchises, but does it work on handhelds?
At this point in gaming, everyone knows about EA/Maxis’s long-running life simulation franchise The Sims. But did you realize the series had a surprisingly large amount of titles released for handhelds during the 6th and early 7th generations of gaming?
Griptonite Games
Upon first glance, one would think it would be almost impossible to bring a series of life sims to the GBA. But Griptonite Games, a relatively unknown studio, would be up for the challenge. Originally founded as Realtime Associates Seattle Division from 1994-1999, Griptonite Games would make a name for themselves by developing various ports for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance, and would take on the Sims IP, creating a GBA version of the 2003 console title "The Sims Bustin' Out". Obviously a direct port to the GBA would be impossible, so Griptonite instead would go for a different approach, downplaying the series iconic simulation based roots in favor of an isometric third-person adventure game. Now including a heavy emphasis on story and exploration, with the game almost having an RPG feel to its mechanics.
While it's not exactly clear how successful the game was, they would do well enough to justify a number of additional sequels released for different systems, including the Gameboy Advance, N-Gage, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable, with the various games released in this series including the following:
The Sims Bustin' Out (2003 GBA/N-Gage)
The Urbz: Sims in the City (2004 GBA/NDS)
The Sims 2 (2005 GBA)
The Sims 2 (2005 NDS)
The Sims 2 (2005 PSP, Instead developed by Amaze Entertainment)
Note: All three versions of The Sims 2 are significantly different games
Gameplay
While deviating heavily from the series core gameplay, the team would retain a few of its core elements (although much more basic and simplified) including the following:0
Character customization
Needing to maintain the Sim's basic needs
Customizing the Sim's home
Social interaction
A day and night system
Aside from its basic core mechanics, much of the game's main gameplay differs greatly from the main series, with player controlling their Sims directly, rather then with a point and click style. Progression now directly follows an in-depth story, with the game being broken up into a number of different missions, which within themselves feature a selection of goals that need to be completed to progress the story. A big portion of the gameplay revolves around social mechanics that require you to gauge the likes and dislikes of various NPCs found around the game world, while also needing to make money which can be obtained via mini-games, completing certain tasks, or by selling items.
Story
To give a basic plot summary of each game in simple terms, The Sims Bustin' Out follows the player's character arriving in Simvalley for the summer and slowly uncovering a number of mysteries around the town. The Urbz takes place directly after the events of Bustin' Out, following our Sim (now Urb) in the city of Miniopolis, which is being taken over by a corrupt business man, with the player needing to thwart his evil ambitions. While technically set in the same world, The Sims 2 games go for a much different approach. Set in the fictional town of StrangeTown, ranging from starring in a hidden camera TV series in the GBA version, to running a hotel in the DS Version (in an almost Animal Crossing style of gameplay), to solving the mystery of strange occurrences and saving the town from a meta madman found in the PSP version of the game (it makes sense in context).
The Final Verdict
In the end, are the Handheld Sims Games good games?
That's honestly a matter of opinion. But as a fan, I'd like to make my case. While i can't call any of these games groundbreaking by any means, each is very well made with care from the developers under obvious budget and technical limitations. Featuring genuinely unique ideas that make each a joy to play, especially for fans of the Sims series, including memorable characters and settings, and some underrated soundtracks composed by Ian Stocker. In all honesty, the absolutely wacky and out there plots make them way more enjoyable then they need to be, and continually leave the player wondering just what is next. All-in-all, I highly recommend these games for any fan of quirky adventure games.