Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 29
  2. Negative: 12 out of 29
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  1. Mar 28, 2011
    87
    If you'd like to play a life simulation on the new 3D handheld with face recognition and StreetPass and can live with just one savegame slot, you have to get this evergreen port now.
  2. Mar 25, 2011
    75
    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.
User Score
2.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 36
  2. Negative: 26 out of 36
  1. 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. 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. 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 »