Publisher: Electronic Arts
Ages:
eight and up.
Family
Rating:
Parental
Advisory:
Mature Themes
Now you can take your Sims with you. Electronic Arts' The Sims Bustin' Out for Game Boy Advance shares the same name as the latest Sim titles for the consoles (GameCube review), but offers a different experience that's more like that of a roleplay game. Nonetheless, on the Game Boy Advance (GBA), The Sims is lots of fun to play.
If you've never played any of the Sims games, the title is an innovative one that lets players create, manage and control the virtual lives of tiny computerized people who live in miniature homes. The strategy game's clever premise and humor makes for a compelling game experience.
In the GBA version, players control their Sims directly by using the control pad to move around and interact with the environment. Social interaction screens let players view close-up conversations to make friends or enemies. Characters set up house, walk around, accomplish goals, and earn money by running errands. As players complete goals, they unlock new areas. The game offers some 26 exclusive locations, eight new career mini-games, all-new interactive characters and over 150 objects to trade and collect.
The GBA version connects with the Gamecube version so players may download and play with their GameCube Sim in the GBA world, and earn Simoleons and improve skills to bring back to the GameCube version. When connected, players may unlock mini-games that may be played on the GBA. Players may also connect with another GBA using the Game Boy Advance Link Cable to participate in a two-player mode.
The game looks great and is easy to learn and play, and it's non-violent and lots of fun. Long time Sims fans will enjoy taking their Sims with them, wherever they may go. And those who have never discovered the joys of managing the lives of tiny people are in for an entertaining experience.
2/23/04 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
