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
• Create-A-Sim features
  • Continuous body shapes (muscularity/obesity)
  • Footwear
• Traits
• Variable lifespan
• New skills and sub-skills (Guitar, Painting, Writing)
  • Upgrades
• Elementary civic buildings

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 strength training machinery

See also

• Comparisons between The Sims and The Sims 2