The Sims 1 and 2 Remastered for 25th Anniversary Release

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Fans of The Sims franchise are in for a nostalgic treat as Electronic Arts (EA) announced the remastered versions of The Sims 1 and The Sims 2, set to launch on PC this week. The release coincides with the franchise’s 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the beloved life simulation series.

The announcement came through a cryptic teaser in EA’s 25th-anniversary promotional video, which hinted at updates for The Sims 4 and other surprises. The teaser showcased a character from The Sims 1 and an interaction prompt wheel from The Sims 2, sparking excitement among long-time fans. According to a source familiar with the plans, both games will be available digitally on PC starting January 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET.

The Sims Legacy Collection will include the base game of The Sims 1, along with its expansion packs: Livin’ Large, House Party, Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar, and Makin’ Magic. The Sims 2: Legacy Collection will feature the base game and eight expansion packs, including University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Bon Voyage, Seasons, FreeTime, and Apartment Life, as well as nine stuff packs. Notably, the IKEA Home Stuff pack will not be included in The Sims 2 bundle.

Both collections will be available together in The Sims: 25th Birthday Bundle, which also includes The Sims 4’s Throwback Fit Kit and Grunge Revival. The original Sims debuted in 2000, followed by The Sims 2 in 2004. While The Sims 2 was previously bundled and available via Origin from 2014 to 2018, this marks the first time The Sims 1 has been re-released since its initial launch.

Fans have long struggled to run the original games on modern systems, often encountering graphical issues like black boxes and pink soup. EA aims to address these challenges with the remastered versions, ensuring compatibility with Windows 10 and 11. The rereleases are expected to retain the charm of the originals, including fan-favorite features like trapping Sims in pools without ladders.

EA has yet to confirm if the remastered games will eventually make their way to consoles. For now, PC players can look forward to reliving the early days of The Sims franchise, complete with all the quirks and nostalgia that made the series a cultural phenomenon.