"Get your Sims fix, on-the-go!"

I never got into The Sims for the PC. Too much micro-management for my taste; I'm a busy guy and can't invest the time I guess. Then along came the PS2 version, which seemed easier to navigate through, but still had too many things going on all at once to concern myself with. When I read about the upcoming Sims game for the GBA, I was skeptical as to how it would translate on the small screen; especially after the disappointing Sim City 2000. What a pleasant surprise this gem of a game is!

Gameplay: 9 If you've never played The Sims before, this would be a good starting point, as it is presented as a stripped-down version of its PC/console counterparts. Veteran Sim-fans, like myself, will also love the direction this game takes on a classic title.

You create a virtual person (your ''Sim'') and can customize his/her appearance and clothes. Presented on-screen are various meters representing hunger, fatigue, sleepiness, hygiene, social interaction, boredom, bladder level (yep, you have to direct your Sim to use the toilet), and homesickness. Your Sim will need to eat, sleep, shower and relieve him/herself regularly, just as in real life. You will need to furnish your Sim's living space with basic accoutrements such as a bed, shower, toilet, etc... later on in the game, you get access to leisure items and decorative objects, all which make your Sim a happier person.

In a radical, but appropriate departure from the point & click interface, you actually control your Sim in real time using the directional pad. Many veterans of the PC or console versions may find this a bit disorienting, but after 5 minutes of gameplay it feels natural and takes on a charm of its own. You seem to 'connect' more with a protagonist that you actively move around the screen.
The familiar meters are on screen to remind you of your Sim's needs such as food, fatigue, etc. (all of which can be hidden during gameplay by pressing the L button).
Game progression plays out a lot like the ''Get a Life'' mode of the console version of The Sims. You have set goals to achieve which, when accomplished, unlock new areas and goals; no real time limit is involved tough, so there's no sense of urgency other than keeping an eye on that toilet meter (don't want any 'accidents' now, do we?)
The ability to save anytime, anywhere greatly enhances its pick-up-and-play appeal as well.

Story: 7 Without giving away any spoilers, I'll simply tell of the set-up; arriving from SimCity, you visit your uncle's farm to stay for awhile, you meet some folks, you eventually get stuff, then you move onward and upward; very much like other incarnations of The Sims. If it sounds a bit boring, then .... well, it is a bit boring, unless you're a fan of this genre (which I am). The story unfolds through conversations with other townsfolk and through completing errands and tasks and keeps you genuinely interested enough to want to keep playing.

Graphics/Sound: 8.5 I was again surprised with the amount of detail put into this title. Your Sim's animations are adorable (I literally Laughed out loud when he danced). The backgrounds are colorful and never cluttered; although there is no camera rotate feature, buildings become semi-transparent to afford you a better view as your Sim passes by.
The music and sound effects do their job without being obtrusive or annoying (a blessing in a sometimes repetitive game such as this).

Play Time/Replayability: 8 It will take you a good many hours to complete this game, as you can take your time to complete all your goals. As for replayability; well I myself will probably only give it another go-around, but it's definitely worth every penny ;)

Recommendation/overall score: 9 Fans of the PC/console versions: give this a try, it's a bit different, but retains all the charm of the original. If you've never played it before, this is a fun Sim title that will bring many hours of enjoyment.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/03, Updated 12/09/03