Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsEA confirmed releases for the original The Sims and The Sims 2—but did not call them remasters. The games arrived as The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, with a bundle containing both. EA said the rollout began January 31, 2025, for Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.
Did EA remaster The Sims 1 and 2?
No remaster was announced. EA described the products as “retro re-releases” and named them Legacy Collections. The distinction matters: the announcement confirms updated releases of the classic games, not a newly rebuilt edition. The original January 30, 2025, Tom’s Guide headline described them as reportedly getting remastered based on pre-release reporting; EA’s later announcement established what was actually released. EA’s February 4, 2025 anniversary announcement uses the heading “The Sims and The Sims 2 Retro Re-Releases.”
What was released, and where?
EA said the collections began rolling out globally on January 31, 2025, for modern PCs running Windows 10 or Windows 11. The announced storefronts were the EA app, Epic Games Store, and Steam. These are launch-announcement details, not confirmation of present-day regional availability; check the store listing in your region before purchasing.
EA announced three suggested retail prices (SRPs): $19.99 for The Sims: Legacy Collection, $29.99 for The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, and $39.99 for the The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle. Those are announcement-era SRPs, not verified current prices or a statement of regional pricing. EA’s announcement has the release details; check the relevant storefront for the price currently offered.
#1 Best Overall
![The Sims: Legacy Collection - PC EA App [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Jb0ntRqjL._SL160_.jpg)
- Create Your Sims - Design the personalities, skills, and appearances of your Sims. Make an original Sim or re-create yourself, your family, or friends.
- Build Their Homes - Move them into pre-built homes or design your dream home from the ground up with over 1000 items.
- Run Their Lives… - Lead your Sims to happiness by pursuing careers, making friends, and finding romance.
- … Or Ruin Them - See what happens when you let chaos unfold!
- Rated T for Teen – Comic Mischief, Mild Violence, Sexual Themes, Mild Language
| Option | What it includes | EA-announced SRP |
|---|---|---|
| The Sims: Legacy Collection | The original game and seven expansion packs | $19.99 |
| The Sims 2: Legacy Collection | The Sims 2, its listed expansion packs, and listed Stuff packs | $29.99 |
| The Sims 25th Birthday Bundle | Both Legacy Collections | $39.99 |
Prices in the table are EA’s announcement SRPs, not current quotes. EA described the bundle as containing both collections; buying individually was also announced.
What is included in each Legacy Collection?
The Sims: Legacy Collection
The collection includes the original The Sims and these expansion packs:
Rank #2
![The Sims 2: Legacy Collection - PC EA App [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oldLy5exL._SL160_.jpg)
- Guide their characteristics -Take your Sims through an infinite number of generations as you evolve their family tree.
- Fulfill Dreams - Your Sims now have purpose in life. It's up to you to decide if they will be a lover or a loser, a prince or a pauper, a fool or a mastermind, and many other choices. It's all in your hands.
- Push The Extremes - Will your Sims be left at the altar and need a shrink, or inherit a fortune and become filthy rich?
- Unlimited Creativity - Generate unique Sims with Create-A-Sim, packed with a vast selection of facial features, hairstyles, and outfits. Build dream homes and design neighborhoods with building, design, and home furnishing options.
- Revolutionary Movie-making -Make your own Sim films with the movie-making feature.
- Livin’ Large
- House Party
- Hot Date
- Vacation
- Unleashed
- Superstar
- Makin’ Magic
The Sims 2: Legacy Collection
EA’s listed contents include The Sims 2, these expansion packs, and the following Stuff packs:
- Expansion packs: University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Bon Voyage, Seasons, FreeTime, and Apartment Life.
- Stuff packs: Holiday Party Pack, Family Fun Stuff, Glamour Life Stuff, Happy Holiday Stuff, Celebration! Stuff, H&M Fashion Stuff, Teen Style Stuff, Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff, and Mansion & Garden Stuff.
One difference from the pre-release report is that EA’s confirmed list does not include IKEA Home Stuff. Tom’s Guide reported it before the official announcement, but EA’s later list is the confirmed package information. The January 30, 2025 Tom’s Guide report reflects the earlier leak-based account.
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Rank #3
- Create any Sim you can imagine and give them unique personality traits.
- Control your Sims' destinies and decide whether to make their wishes come true.
- Customize everything! Build the ultimate dream house for your Sims, then explore infinite customization possibilities
- Control your Sim's actions and interactions while they're on the job
- Choose from new career opportunities, will your Sim work for good or evil, pursue creative endeavors
Will the re-releases run on Windows 11?
EA announced Windows 10 and Windows 11 support for modern PCs, but operating-system support alone does not establish that every system or graphics configuration will work well. EA’s April 3, 2025 patch notes say The Sims requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU. For The Sims 2, EA cautioned that performance on Intel Arc systems could be sub-optimal for games relying on DirectX 9. These details are specific to that patch-notes page, not a guarantee for every current configuration. Check EA’s latest patch notes and requirements before buying, especially if you have an Intel Arc GPU.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the release mean for longtime players?
The announcement gives players a way to buy the classic games and listed add-ons together in modern-PC collections. EA said its franchise had more than 500 million lifetime players in its February 4, 2025 anniversary announcement; that is EA’s figure, not an independently verified count. The practical choice is between the original game’s collection, the The Sims 2 collection, or the bundle with both—not between a remaster and a re-release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PLAY WITH LIFE, IN REAL LIFE: Dive into the neighborhood, meet iconic Sims, and fulfill your life’s aspirations like never before!
- A NEW WAY TO PLAY SIMS: Gather up to 5 players as you each craft your own story while collecting matching SIMbols along the way in this family strategy game
- EVERY GAME, A NEW STORY: Embark on an entirely new journey each time you play while encountering unexpected surprises at every turn — what will your life look like?
- ICONIC DETAILS FOR FANS: Ideal for play and display, featuring iconic artwork, nostalgic touches, plumbob movers, interaction dice, and a needs tracker familiar to fans
- MAIN CHARACTERS WANTED: Recommended for 2-5 players, ages 12 and up
Rank #4
- EPIC FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Explore together, grow together – Dive into a thrilling 7-game legacy campaign filled with story twists, evolving rules, and teamwork that creates lasting memories - perfect for screen-free bonding with friends and family.
- LEGACY FORMAT: Your choices shape the story – Every game leaves a permanent mark! Unlock secrets, open sealed boxes, and watch the world change based on your team’s triumphs and failures. No two adventures are ever the same.
- COOPERATIVE GAMEPLAY: Work together or lose it all – Forbidden Legacy is all about strategy, communication, and collaboration. Each player’s role is crucial as you race against time, rising tides, and ancient powers.
- IMMERSIVE STORY + COMPONENTS: Play through a pulp-style Chronicle storybook filled with mysteries, missions, and cinematic twists—plus sculpted playing pieces and surprise components that bring the island to life.
- FROM LEGENDARY DESIGNERS: A Gamewright dream team – Designed by Matt Leacock (Forbidden Island) and Rob Daviau (Pandemic Legacy), this next-gen installment redefines the series with fresh mechanics and unforgettable storytelling.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
