The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →EA’s 25th-anniversary celebration for The Sims brought several separate releases and events: a free Sims 4 base-game update with more than 70 items, limited-time in-game rewards, digital PC collections of the original The Sims and The Sims 2, and commemorative merchandise. The original-game collections began rolling out January 31, 2025; the anniversary update arrived February 4.
What was included in The Sims’ 25th-anniversary celebration?
The celebration was not one update or one bundle. It combined free Sims 4 content, paid digital re-releases of the first two mainline games, a time-limited event, birthday merchandise, a new official color, and a separate MySims PC release announcement.
- Free Sims 4 content: a base-game update with more than 70 in-game items.
- Paid retro collections: The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection, also sold together as the 25th Birthday Bundle.
- Time-limited event: Blast From The Past offered retro-themed rewards in Sims 4.
- Merchandise: limited-edition apparel, enamel pins, and a gamer mat.
- Other announcements: Plumbob Green, an official Sims color developed with the Pantone Color Institute, and MySims: Cozy Bundle for PC.
EA’s anniversary announcement and January 14 birthday special describe the original plans and launch timing.
What did the free Sims 4 update add?
EA said the February 4, 2025 base-game update was free and added more than 70 in-game items. The announced additions covered Create-a-Sim hairstyles and facial hair, clothing and accessories, Build/Buy windows and doors, kitchen cabinet finishes, and a pirate ship. The update also brought Simlish songs from Gigi Perez and Kim Petras.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Keke Palmer’s “The Game Song” was identified as an unlockable tied to the event, rather than simply another item in the free base-game update. That distinction matters: the update and the event were related anniversary content, but they were separate parts of the celebration.
What was the Blast From The Past event?
Blast From The Past was a separate, limited-time Sims 4 event with retro-inspired rewards. EA’s announcement listed objects including a milk carton, telephone, alarm clock, triple-tiered birthday cake, inflatable chair, and loveseat. The announcement described the event as limited-time; it does not establish that the rewards remain available now.
Rank #2
- SIMLISH, THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE SIMS: Speak it, shout it, match it in a fast-paced, fun game that feels like a Simlish conversation gone delightfully off the rails
- MATCH AND COLLECT: Draw your Ya-Go-Bu-Gi cards, build words of 2, 3, or 4 syllables, and say them out loud. Match your phrase with another player to earn Simoleons.
- USE MULTIPLE SKILLS: Mix, match, negotiate, and yap your heart out as you play. The longer the matched phrase, the bigger the stack of Simoleons.
- ENDLESS LAUGHS: No two rounds ever sound the same. Easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and guaranteed to spark giggles.
- KIDS AND ADULTS PLAY TOGETHER: Gather 3–6 players, ages 8 and up. Kids, parents, neighbors, nobody is safe from the nonsense. Who will master the language of The Sims?
What is in the 25th Birthday Bundle?
The 25th Birthday Bundle combines two separately sold digital PC collections: The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection. EA said the global Windows rollout began January 31, 2025, for Windows 10 and 11 through the EA app, Epic Games Store, and Steam. The launch prices below are the prices EA announced in 2025, not verified current prices.
| Collection | Included games and packs | Announced launch price |
|---|---|---|
| The Sims: Legacy Collection | The Sims; Livin’ Large; House Party; Hot Date; Vacation; Unleashed; Superstar; Makin’ Magic | $19.99 (EA’s 2025 announcement) |
| The Sims 2: Legacy Collection | The Sims 2; University; Nightlife; Open for Business; Pets; Bon Voyage; Seasons; FreeTime; Apartment Life; 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; Mansion & Garden Stuff | $29.99 (EA’s 2025 announcement) |
| 25th Birthday Bundle | Both Legacy Collections | $39.99 (EA’s 2025 announcement) |
EA also noted a Sims 4 Throwback Fit Kit with The Sims: Legacy Collection and a Sims 4 Grunge Revival Kit with The Sims 2: Legacy Collection in its announcement. Those kits are distinct from the older games and packs in each collection.
Rank #3
- CONNECT 4 GAME WITH EXCITING UPDATES: This Connect 4 board game features the classic gameplay fans love, plus all-in-1 storage, score trackers, and a modern design
- ALL-IN-1 CARRYING CASE WITH STORAGE: When done playing, release the discs from the grid and they neatly drop into a storage tray. The grid and tray fold into an all-in-1 portable case with a handle
- EFFORTLESS, 1-MOTION SET-UP: No parent’s help needed! Simply fold up the grid to play, and it’s time 4 edge-of-your-seat action
- ADDICTIVE STRATEGY GAME FOR KIDS & ADULTS: The drama builds as the discs drop! Players try to get 4 in a row of their color discs to win this popular game for teens, adults, and kids ages 6+
- BUILT-IN SCORE TRACKERS FOR EPIC COMPETITIONS: Sliding score trackers let players easily track who wins each round. Win 4 rounds to be champ
Can you play The Sims 1 and 2 on Windows 10 or 11?
EA announced the Legacy Collections for Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC, with distribution through the EA app, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Its current The Sims 2: Legacy Collection product page describes a digital content license and links to storefronts. Check the relevant store listing for current regional availability, system details, and price before buying; the anniversary announcement’s prices are historical launch figures.
The collections are digital PC products, not physical boxed anniversary editions. They also differ from the free Sims 4 update: the update added anniversary content to Sims 4, while the Legacy Collections are paid products containing earlier games and their listed packs.
Rank #4
- Add a blue disc to block opponents and lift discs higher
- Features blue Blocker Disc: This game includes blue Blocker Disc that open doors to new strategies
- Features blue Blocker Dics: this game includes blue Blocker Dics that open doors to new strategies
What merchandise was released for the anniversary?
EA announced limited-edition apparel, a retro enamel pin set, and a 2000s-themed gamer mat for sale through shopthesims.com beginning February 5, 2025. The announcement establishes that these items were offered at that time, but does not establish current stock or current prices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is Plumbob Green?
EA and the Pantone Color Institute announced Plumbob Green as an official Sims color, also used in the anniversary merchandise. EA attributed the description “a supercharged yellow-green imbued with vitality” to the Pantone Color Institute.
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- GAME OF SWEET REVENGE: Enjoy classic Sorry! gameplay with this Sorry! board game for kids. It's an edge-of-your-seat race to home, so hurry up and get there first
- FIRST ONE HOME WINS: Who will be the first player to get all 3 of their pawns to the home space? But watch out! Players can get "sweet revenge" by sending each other's pawns back to the starting point
- SO MANY POSSIBILITIES: Slide, collide, and score to win the Sorry! game. This family game for kids and adults features so many possibilities depending on the card picked up and strategy chosen
- CLASSIC SORRY! GAMEPLAY: Remember playing the original Sorry! game as a kid? Bring back memories of playing the Sorry! game with family members and introduce it to a new generation
- FAMILY GAME NIGHT FAVORITE: A go-to game for family time or anytime indoor fun, the Sorry! game for kids is one of the best family games for game night
What was the MySims: Cozy Bundle announcement?
MySims: Cozy Bundle is a separate product from the Legacy Collections. EA announced its PC release for March 18, 2025, with MySims and MySims Kingdom included. The Switch version was already available at the time of EA’s January 2025 birthday special.
Which anniversary release should you choose?
Choose based on what you want to play or collect, rather than treating every anniversary item as part of one purchase:
Quick Recap
- Want the original The Sims? The Sims: Legacy Collection contains the original game and its listed expansions.
- Want The Sims 2? Its Legacy Collection contains the sequel and its listed expansions and stuff packs.
- Want both? The 25th Birthday Bundle combines both collections; compare its current store price with the individual listings in your region.
- Only interested in Sims 4 anniversary content? The base-game update was free. The Blast From The Past rewards belonged to a limited-time event, not to the paid retro collections.
- Looking for commemorative items? The apparel, pin set, and gamer mat were physical merchandise, separate from the digital game collections; current availability is not established by EA’s announcement.
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.
