The Sims 3

If you've already invested a portion of your life to the game on other platforms, it's probably not as essential because you've already done all it has to offer and more. Still, it's a great way to experience the fun of a Hoarders-style train wreck while you're on the road.

Impressive content but fiddly as a result. [June 2011, p.87]

Everything's mostly solid from a gameplay standpoint, but touch-screen inputs can be recognized on occasion. [April 2011, p.80]

It's obvious that sweat has gone into translating all of Sims 3's features onto a hand-held device, but beyond the core game - the eating, buying, working, cleaning Sims - the game feels too lightweight and its features too incidental.

Electronic Arts was able to successfully pull together a faithful console/PC port for the much smaller 3DS platform, but I think that they pushed their luck a bit too far.

Though it is a full and immersive title, The Sims 3 does bear the hallmarks of being a port without much consideration for the increased capacity and capabilities of the 3DS, with some struggling controls and awkward presentation to boot.

In the end, EA did try to do good with this game but for me, there were too many inconsistencies of the interface to the graphical problems. To compound the problem, The Sims 3 was actually far sturdier and dare I say, more fun on the DS as it was a strong game overall, not so on the 3DS version.

We already know these Sims. We've seen them a lot of time and they have not changed. The 3D effect isn't spectacular and outline of the game does not support important innovations. There are other better versions of The Sims 3.

Boring, truncated and better experienced elsewhere. [May 2011, p.64]

Not an awful game; it's merely not well suited in its current form for the handheld.

The Sims 3 charms your socks off at first but soon reveals its disappointing limitations.

While the 3DS-enabled features are a nice touch and the core concept is intact, The Sims 3 ultimately feels like a lightweight launch title. Newcomers may get a small kick out of living a fake life, but if this isn't your first virtual rodeo, you're better off sticking to the real world.

The Sims 3 is an adequate port for the 3DS, but in the end fails to capture the addictive fun and charm of its original counterpart.

The Sims 3 for 3DS is simplified down to match the platform, but in turn loses most of its original appeal.

For all its faults, The Sims 3 on 3DS is a serviceable way of getting your pretend life fix on the go. As a launch title, it's frustrating that the game's 3DS features aren't better tuned.

This game should have never been ported to the 3DS. The game is much better on the PC and Electronic Arts should have put more time in the 3DS version. Too bad!

Very limited content and clumsy controls make The Sims 3 a disappointing 3DS launch title. Nevertheless, there is a true Sims experience here, and one that is boosted by the clever use of the StreetPass function.

The Sims 3 simply doesn't work on Nintendo 3DS (and, probabily, on a portable system as well). The nice formula of the PC version has been distorted and misread.

The last installment of the most famous virtual life simulator jumps into a 3D new life: it's a shame that the games disappoints in every way.

Considering its numerous faults, this edition of The Sims 3 proves to be quite disappointing, since the only ones able to fully enjoy it will be those unable to live a single moment of their live's without their precious Sims by their side.

The Sims 3 3DS is to the other console versions what the travel MB games are to the original MB connect 4. A light portable version keeping the basic principles, with adapted ergonomics but without every bell and whistle that were its charm. You can get it if your really won't be able to keep away from the other versions for long, but even if it's your case, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't want to play it in 2D, since the 3D gives more headaches than added enjoyment.

Ultimately, The Sims is a game you can lose yourself in, as you get caught up in the antics of the little digital people you've created. You share their hopes, their fears, their ups and downs. Or, at least, you can do that on the PC. On the 3DS, you mainly have to mop up a lot of messes, half of which are created by your Sim wetting themselves. It's about as fun as it sounds.

As a quick and dirty port this is no disgrace but it doesn't make any meaningful use of the 3DS's functions or the concept's potential.

The Sims 3 for Nintendo 3DS is nothing but a rushed and soulless conversion of the popular series. Only the most essential functions remain, and the use of 3 in the games title remains a mystery. This shouldn't even be called Sims 1,5. Stay away.

Quotation forthcoming.

It's not at all surprising to play a franchise launch game that lacks polish and precision, but The Sims 3 comes off as careless -- especially for a series with such strong cultural and consumer cachet. Even the much cheaper iPhone version offers a richer portable take on the series, and that came out in 2009!

A strong contender for the title of 'Worst 3DS Launch Game'. It has a sickening amount of bugs, is unfinished and reeks of a game that has been rushed for launch.