The Sims 3

 3DS
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 29
  3. Negative: 12 out of 29
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  1. Games Master UK
    May 8, 2011
    71
    Impressive content but fiddly as a result. [June 2011, p.87]
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  2. Nintendo Power
    Apr 13, 2011
    70
    Everything's mostly solid from a gameplay standpoint, but touch-screen inputs can be recognized on occasion. [April 2011, p.80]
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  3. VideoGamer
    Mar 23, 2011
    70
    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.
  5. GameFocus
    Apr 1, 2011
    66
    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.
  6. Cubed3
    Apr 13, 2011
    60
    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.
  7. Impulsegamer
    Apr 10, 2011
    60
    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.
  8. Meristation
    Mar 30, 2011
    60
    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.
  9. Nintendo Gamer
    May 13, 2011
    55
    Boring, truncated and better experienced elsewhere. [May 2011, p.64]
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  10. NintendoWorldReport
    Mar 31, 2011
    55
    Not an awful game; it's merely not well suited in its current form for the handheld.
  11. GameSpot
    Mar 30, 2011
    55
    The Sims 3 charms your socks off at first but soon reveals its disappointing limitations.
  12. GameTrailers
    Mar 30, 2011
    51
    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.
  13. PALGN
    Apr 23, 2011
    50
    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.
  14. Pocket Gamer UK
    Apr 6, 2011
    50
    The Sims 3 for 3DS is simplified down to match the platform, but in turn loses most of its original appeal.
  15. Machinima
    Apr 5, 2011
    50
    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.
  16. XGN
    Mar 30, 2011
    50
    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!

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Best 3DS Game of 2011
35
#35 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
29
#29 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
2.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 26 out of 36
  1. Phil4000
    May 23, 2011
    2
    Picked up The Sims 3 on the launch of the 3DS, and what a disappointment it was. I have been a avid Sims fan since the original, and this gamePicked up The Sims 3 on the launch of the 3DS, and what a disappointment it was. I have been a avid Sims fan since the original, and this game has got to be the worst Sims product I have ever bought. The biggest disappointment has to be the amount of content in the game, which is very limited with only three locations available (your home and two community lots which include a library and stores). I could have sacrificed the number of options if the core gameplay was as I expected, but no, the sluggish, low frame rate almost makes the game unplayable (Its also worth mentioning that turning off the 3D didn't seem to help, which I found odd). This has been my least played 3DS title and a complete waste of my time and money.… Full Review »
  2. sweexmonxx
    May 10, 2011
    1
    The Sims 3 is the latest in the franchise and what way to bring it to the 3DS. What do I think? It is absolutely !@$?. The sims was never goodThe Sims 3 is the latest in the franchise and what way to bring it to the 3DS. What do I think? It is absolutely !@$?. The sims was never good to be on a handheld device but the 3DS is even worse! I been playing it but even before playing the game it was extremely bad! The character customisation is horrible, the camera doesn't work well with it. Making the character from scratch it Horrible. No good content. The gameplay is very hard and confusing with the 3DS because the buttons just don't work well with it! And even controlling your character and organising his/her life is impossible, you don't get a sense of control in the world but feels as if the game just plays it for you but in a bad way. You can't look after your character because its so hard to do all these things on the 3DS, it will just turn into a disaster. The 3D effects are good. I can't recommend this game, But if your a die hard fan and can get use to it then and play on-the-go then this is for you. But if you really want the best sims experience play the PC version. Even the console version is better then the 3DS version. Save your money and buy SSFIV 3D or Zelda. A horrible game.… Full Review »
  3. GPFluzzy
    Aug 26, 2021
    3
    this is just sad, the DS version has more features and is more fun than this version, you have 1 less trait slot and fewer traits than the DSthis is just sad, the DS version has more features and is more fun than this version, you have 1 less trait slot and fewer traits than the DS version, you can only make 1 sim in your family and its always a young adult/adult (yeah no kids here! even though freaking tomodachi life could do it.), there isn't mood bars so you have to wait for your sim to have a low need to actually tell what they well need, your sims can get stir crazy easier tan (insert pandemic joke here) and i can go on, no wonder sims 3 pets for 3DS was better (it even had different controls), but there are some good properties that arent in the DS version like woohoo (again no try for baby), create a townie (makes up for only 1 sim in a family somewhat), the guitar skill and a few more things, but it doesn't help the bad things from this game. if you're a 3DS owner who wants to play the sims 3 either get sims 3 pets or the DS version, if you dont own one but are willing to pay for a handheld to play the sims 3 (for whatever reason) you should get a laptop and play the sims 3 on it instead and let this version be forgotten.… Full Review »
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