The Sims 3

 3DS
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
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  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 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 andPicked 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.… Expand
  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 !@$?. The sims was never good to be on a handheld device but the 3DS is even worse! I been playing it but even before playing the game it was extremely bad! The character customisation is horrible, the camera doesn't work well with it. Making the character from scratch itThe Sims 3 is the latest in the franchise and what way to bring it to the 3DS. What do I think? It is absolutely !@$?. 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.… Expand
  3. nuckchuckler
    Jan 28, 2013
    0
    I bought this gem at a Wall-Mart in the Maratimes for only 10 bucks. Took it back to my place and as soon as I tried putting it in my 3DS my cat suddenly hopped up onto my lap and swallowed it. His funeral was last week.

    Also, box art was drab.
  4. kmg
    Jun 13, 2013
    0
    I had this game as a present for Christmas 2012 and still haven't spend more than an hour on it and i'm a big fan of the sims, but defiantly not this game!
    the graphics are terrible, the customization of The Sims is even worse, it's all in all a very boring game. It's very difficult to use, i don't recommenced it, will be a waste of money and time.
  5. jakethesnack
    Oct 20, 2013
    3
    Everything that was good in the PC version is completely gone I only played this for a day and got bored after an hour. You only play as one person, barely get to go anywhere, and everything seems to be slower than before.
  6. pocky
    Jul 13, 2013
    2
    I enjoyed sims games when they first came out and I picked this game up for cheap enough. I was just pretty disappointed. The camera viewpoints are terrible even though you can pan them around, the controls are clunky and the graphics are terrible. I got it around launch so I put 14 hours into it while I was waiting for other game releases but I haven't had the urge to play it since. SoI enjoyed sims games when they first came out and I picked this game up for cheap enough. I was just pretty disappointed. The camera viewpoints are terrible even though you can pan them around, the controls are clunky and the graphics are terrible. I got it around launch so I put 14 hours into it while I was waiting for other game releases but I haven't had the urge to play it since. So basically if you have no other games you might play it for a bit but I'd recommend doing anything else.… Expand
  7. LadyChaomii
    Dec 26, 2013
    0
    I got this game for free with the 3DS and even THEN I feel ripped off. This is like the "I just wasted ten seconds of your life" video in game format. I regret opening the box, inserting the cartridge and starting the "Game" which is worse than Sims1 without any expansions. I'm willing to bet absolutely ZERO dollars were put into this game and they just recycled graphics from The Sims 2.
  8. Trey82
    Feb 3, 2020
    0
    Much like this version, I'm going to give you the slim version. Every other review reads like a complaint, AND RIGHTFULLY SO! But! Reasons need to be given. :)

    What is DOES have: The base game is functional. You can do everything your sim should be able to do. ...if this was Sims 1. The enhancements of the 2 games prior to this are here. Social interactions, needs and jobs all have    Much like this version, I'm going to give you the slim version. Every other review reads like a complaint, AND RIGHTFULLY SO! But! Reasons need to be given. :)

    What is DOES have:
    The base game is functional. You can do everything your sim should be able to do.
    ...if this was Sims 1.
    The enhancements of the 2 games prior to this are here. Social interactions, needs and jobs all have better functionality.
    ... but the system is broken. I mean truly broken, as in there is a part in teh game that you can reach VERY quickly where there is actually no way to progress forward.
    Here is that cycle: Keep up on your needs, one might fall behind, go to SOLVE that issue... find that your mood is too low to clean up that puddle, that puddle is there because the NEEDS fall TOO FAST to maintain.
    I've played hundreds of hours of The Sims 1, 2 and 3 on PC. I am VERY familiar with needs and how to stay ahead of them.
    THIS version drains you too fast. Okay, that is forgivable. What is NOT forgivable is that every.. EVERY ITEM you use will break after only 1-3 uses. That toilet, that shower, etc.
    AND! If it doesnt break, it will get 'dirty' after 1-3 uses.
    All these things eat up your mood meter. If your mood is too low, you cant clean. If you cant clean, your mood meter stays low. If your mood is too low, you do badly at work. You get fired.

    You didnt need me to explain how the sims works, if you have ever... EVER played the sims. A child can do it. Anybody can stay ahead of the needs.
    Even if you set up your 'perks' to counteract a need or two.. for example the 'loner' perk, you ARE STILL HIGHLY IN NEED OF SOCIAL INTERACTION! HOW TF DOES THAT WORK?!

    This version is broken. And sims 3 pets is no different, so set aside any hope for that version. Play your favorite version on PC. And mod the game to your liking. :)    … Expand
  9. 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 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 whatthis 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.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Pocket Gamer France
    Jun 27, 2011
    45
    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.
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  2. Everyeye.it
    Jun 14, 2011
    45
    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.
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  3. Eurogamer Italy
    May 27, 2011
    40
    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.
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