Game console

Home video games are objects in The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. They give fun to the Sims who use them, unless they have the Technophobe trait. The SimLife Goggles, introduced in The Sims 3, can be used for many other things, combined with cheats and/or mods. It's also the most expensive video game, and refers to "virtual reality". They aren't present in The Sims 4; instead, video gaming is done on the phone, tablet, or computer.

The Sims
The Sims introduced a basic virtual reality set that Sims can use. Sims will pick up the device, wear it over their eyes, and "explore" the virtual world, usually by waving or moving their arms. When finished, Sims will replace the device in its original location.

All Sims, including children, can use the device. While they will move around on the spot, they will not move from the spot they are standing on.

The Sims 2
In The Sims 2, there is a basic video game console, the Maxis™ Game Simulator, which can be purchased from buy mode. When placed next to a TV, it allows one or two Sims to play. If two Sims play, they will not build relationship with each other, but each will gain Social, and may taunt each other as they play. Some games will use a different display when two Sims play. The video game console can break, though the chance of this happening appears to be small.

In the base game, SSX 3 is ready to play and The Sims Bustin' Out and SimCity 4 Rush Hour can be bought from video game racks on community lots. These three titles can be seen if the player zooms in on a rack. FreeTime adds MySims, FIFA 08, Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars, and Spore to video game racks. It also adds a freestanding video game rack which displays those games. but is otherwise identical to the base-game freestanding rack. All games, including those just bought, are available on any computer or game console in the household. When a Sim visits a community lot that has a computer or video game console, all games which are available on the Sim's home lot will be available.

SSX 3 may become unavailable after another game is purchased. While it cannot be purchased from a rack, buying a video game console should make it available again. It is not necessary to keep a video game console bought for this purpose.

Sloppy Sims may fail to put the controller away when they are finished playing. A Sim can be told to put the controllers away by clicking on the game console and selecting "Put Away Controllers". Players should note that the controllers may be seen as disposable, and "Dispose" may appear when clicking on a controller. At times, Sims, particularly Neat Sims, may autonomously attempt to Dispose of a controller. When this happens, the only solution is to purchase a new console.

In FreeTime, Rod Humble will deliver a package to households the first time they're loaded. The package contains a computer which has a preview of The Sims 3 that is only available by opening the box that computer comes in. The game features walking on the street, changing the shoes of a Sim, and recoloring furniture, as well as an excerpt from the "BoSIM Nova" song in The Sims.

Base game

 * SSX 3 (default)
 * The Sims: Bustin' Out
 * SimCity 4: Rush Hour

Added in FreeTime

 * MySims
 * FIFA 08
 * Command and Conquer: Tiberium Wars
 * Spore
 * The Sims 3

The Sims 3 is an exclusive video game that is packaged along with the free computer delivered by Rod Humble. It cannot be purchased or obtained in any other way.

The Sims 3
In The Sims 3, Sims can play video games with: any computer, the Maxoid Simulator 2 1/2, Console 7, GUGA Joytoy 3, ExoEdge Gaming System by ReliableWare or the SimLife Goggles. The SimLife Goggles increase fun rapidly and cause many moodlets. On a computer or video game console, Sims can be seen playing Burnout Paradise, Skate and Madden NFL. If The Sims 3: Ambitions is installed, Sims can also be seen playing "Sim Animals: Africa."

The fun gain rate of the video games depends on the TV set. The higher the fun rating a TV has, the faster the fun need will increase.

The Console 7 and GUGA JoyToy 3 are added with The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff. They have more games, better graphics, and are more expensive. The Sims 3: Generations adds the ExoEdge Gaming System by ReliableWare.

The consoles introduced in subsequent expansion packs are a reference to the PlayStation 3 (due to its lack of highly acclaimed first party games on launch), the Xbox 360 (due to the number of AAA violent games) and the Wii (peripheral controls).