Comparison between The Sims 2 and The Sims 3

The Sims 3 is based on The Sims original game and The Sims 2 original game, and contains most features of these.

Completely new features

 * Seamless neighborhood
 * Bicycles
 * Create-A-Sim features:
 * Continuous body shapes (muscularity/obesity)
 * Footwear
 * Traits
 * Variable lifespan
 * New skills (Guitar, Painting, Writing) and challenges
 * Upgrades
 * Recipes
 * Elementary civic buildings
 * Opportunities
 * Enhanced job options

Sims 2 expansion features in The Sims 3
These features are introduced in The Sims 2 expansions, and in The Sims 3 base game.


 * Young adults (University)
 * Mobile phones (University)
 * Guitar (University)
 * Private cars (Nightlife)
 * Personal inventory (Nightlife)
 * Gardening (Seasons)
 * Fishing (Seasons)
 * Storing and eating leftovers (Seasons)
 * Jewelry (Bon Voyage)
 * Ceilings (Apartment Life)
 * Toothbrushing (Apartment Life)
 * Playground structures (Apartment Life)

Lost features
These game features were found in The Sims 2 base game but not in The Sims 3.


 * Cleaning skill
 * Creativity skill - replaced by Guitar skill, Painting and Writing
 * Aspiration (replaced by lifetime happiness)
 * Aspiration rewards (replaced by lifetime happiness rewards)
 * Slacker career
 * Fears
 * Underwear styles - though underwear can be used as the pajamas style
 * Private school
 * Visible retail stores
 * Yoga
 * Meditation
 * Interests
 * Memories
 * Aliens and alien abductions
 * Environment and comfort needs (replaced by moodlets)

Lost objects
These objects (with unique interactions) were found in The Sims 2 but not The Sims 3:


 * Piano - replaced by Guitar
 * Springboard (though pools still exist)
 * Hot tub
 * Retail objects (cash register, shelves etc)
 * Farstar e3 Telescope
 * Specialised weight machines - the game now has only one combined weight machine.
 * Magazines