The Sims won over many fans when it first released back in 2000. It is now one of the most successful video game franchises in history with nearly 200 million copies sold worldwide. But while gamers are familiar with the series' massive numbered titled, fewer know about its smaller entries.
One of these underrated games is The Sims Bustin’ Out. This 2003 title released for every major console at the time, though it did not come to PC. It was only the second Sims game to come to consoles, but many fans argue that it is the best. Bustin' Out added plenty of new features that helped revolutionize the series.
The Sims Bustin’ Out featured "Bust Out Mode," which was essentially a campaign mode in The Sims universe. Players were given missions, and completing these allowed them to progress further and move on to new locations. Your Sim would start out in their mother's house, but move on to better homes as the game went on. The story revolves around Malcolm Landgrabb, a millionaire who is taking items from various places where the tenants have not paid their rent. By completing specific tasks at each place, players will unlock new items and locations.
This gave Sims fans a brand new way to play the game. Players felt a sense of accomplishment after finishing each mission, and each home felt more like a level rather than a residence. Every location in The Sims Bustin’ Out is unique. There is a gym, a night club, a haunted mansion and even a nudist colony.
Instead of moving from house to house like in previous Sims games, you now move to different locations depending on your career track. Each place you move into also comes with one-of-a-kind roommates you can control or befriend. Some of these roommates help you unlock special items found only at that location. The diversity found in each place and roommate helps The Sims Bustin’ Out shine brighter than any other entry at the time.
Perhaps the most cherished aspect of The Sims Bustin’ Out was its online mode, available only on the PlayStation 2 version. The mode was decently popular among Sims devotees. Gamers could choose the “Online Weekend” option from the start menu and join friends in their "Bust Out Mode." Online players could communicate with each other by plugging in a USB keyboard, using the PS2 headset or by using the soft keyboard provided in the game. Playing online also allowed players to trade items with each other, something that was especially helpful for new players.
The Sims Bustin’ Out might not be the most well-known game in The Sims franchise, but it is certainly one that's adored by those who played it. The game has a unique charm and fresh gameplay makes it stand out as a cult hit. Some fans even break out their old PS2 just to play it from time to time. There has never been another Sims game quite like The Sims Bustin’ Out.