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 (Guitar, Painting, Writing) and challenges
- 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 - replaced by "rabbit holes"
- 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 remain
- Hot tub
- Retail objects - cash register, shelves etc
- Farstar e3 Telescope - the simple telescope remains
- Specialised weight machines - the game now has only one combined weight machine.
- Magazines - though specialized books exist