Comparison between The Sims base games

This is a four-way comparison of the 4 base games in The Sims series; The Sims, The Sims 2, The Sims 3, and The Sims 4, and does not include features from content packs unless otherwise stated.__FORCETOC__
==General & gameplay==
 	The Sims 	The Sims 2 	The Sims 3 	The Sims 4
Release date 	Released February 4, 2000 	Released September 14, 2004 	Released June 2, 2009 	Released September 2, 2014
Content pack quantity 	7 Expansion Packs 	8 Expansion Packs, 9 Stuff Packs 	11 Expansion Packs, 9 Stuff Packs 	17 Expansion Packs, 12 Game Packs, 20 Stuff Packs, 35 Kits (so far)
Adoption 	Adoption cannot be initiated; option to adopt only appears If there are at least two living adults, regardless of gender. Pets can either be purchased at 70 Elm Street in Old town or adopted by befriending strays. 	Sims can initiate an adoption, but must have §3,000 on hand. Apart from gender, adopted child's age (from baby to child) and name can be given (If the adoption center hadn't taken any child from other household, otherwise the latest taken child will be dropped to the adopting family). The Child will be dropped at 10 AM in the morning after yesterday's call. Pets can be obtained by either adopting a stray, purchasing from the pet display case, or by creating them in CAS and merging them to an existing family. 	Adoption can be initiated using the phone or a computer. The player can choose the age (baby, toddler, or child) and gender of the child, after which a social worker will arrive to drop off the child. Adoptive parents will get three days off from work after the adoption. Just like in The Sims 2: Pets, pets can be adopted or be put for adoption via phone or computer. Pets can also be adopted from other residents. 	Adoption can be done over the phone or with a computer, and there is a fee of §1,000 per child. The player is given the option to adopt a child of any age instead of being forced to adopt a random orphan. Adopting a child that's been neglected by the same household has no consequences. A pet can be adopted either through the phone or a computer with a fee of §200. Its traits, gender and whether it is neutered is displayed in the adoption pool. First and last name can be changed after adopting.
Aging 	Babies turn into children after three days, while other lifespans are indefinite. With Makin' Magic, children can age to adult by using a charm, but their appearances are chosen randomly and may change completely. 	All Sims age and eventually die, but only on the lot that is being played. Sims from other families will not age. Some life states do not age such as Zombies and Vampires. 	All Sims in the same world age, including the household that is being played and all other Sims in the world. Lifespan, aging, and the duration of each life stage can be customized in game options. 	All Sims in all worlds age at the same time, unless changed by the player. Lifespan, aging, and age duration can be customized in game options.
Aspiration/Lifetime happiness 	No aspirations. 	Teens and older have one of 5 aspirations (additional 2 aspirations are added in Nightlife), which affect their Wants and Fears. Toddlers and children aspire to Grow Up. Secondary aspirations introduced in FreeTime. 	Aspirations are replaced with Lifetime Wishes but function the same as aspirations in The Sims 2. 	Aspirations return: teens and older Sims can choose one of twelve aspiration types, most of which have two or three variations that act like a Lifetime Wish. Children have four aspirations, with only one variation each. Toddlers don't have aspirations.
Bills 	Bills delivered once every 3 days. 	Bills delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 	Same as The Sims 2. 	Bills delivered once per week.
Camera perspective 	Isometric perspective with 2D objects and some 3D objects 	Fully 3D 	Same as The Sims 2 	Mostly 3D, but world map in 2D
Chance cards 	Chance cards will force career change when at the top level of a career. Other chance cards may rarely emerge, giving out skills or money, or sometimes having no effect. 	Chance cards at all levels of career, causing gain or loss of rank, skill points, etc. 	Chance cards rarely appear and usually have minimal effects. Most give moodlets or affect job performance and relationships with coworkers. There are only a few chance cards in the game that can have larger effects, such as receiving a promotion or getting fired. 	Chance cards appear occasionally, on any career level and have an effect on the Job Performance. Some also give various moodlets.
Maximum amount of floors 	Buildings limited to 2 floors. Basements, foundations and lofts not possible. Basic roof pitch selector. 	Buildings limited to 5 floors, or 4 with foundation. In expansions after University, this can be changed to up to 15 floors (without foundation) using cheats. Buildings with foundation can have basements incorporated into them. Lofts theoretically possible. Roof pitch can be changed (first in the cheat console in Pets, and later Mansion and Garden Stuff, where a roof pitch changer is added). Various roof types like pagoda and dome are added via expansion packs. 	Same as The Sims 2. In addition, basements were included in the World Adventures expansion patch, with 4 floors. 	The maximum building height is 5 floors, though there cannot be any full walls on the 5th floor. Foundations also don't count as a floor. Basements were added in Patch 15, and can be 4 floors deep. Roofs are more easily modifiable, allowing for better utilization of attic space and more customization.
Life stages 	3 life stages (baby, child, adult). Babies are objects rather than Sims. 	6 life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, elder. Young adult stage is optional) 	7 life stages (baby, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, elder). 	8 life stages (newborn, infant, toddler, child, teen, young adult, adult, elder).
Marriage 	Family structures are not clearly defined. Marriage does little more than move a Sim into the lot and there is no scope to break up. 	Family structures very clearly defined, including family trees. Marriages and unions (the same-sex equivalent) also defined and can break up, most often triggered through infidelity. 	Same as The Sims 2, though same-sex unions are now called "marriages" instead of "unions." 	Same as The Sims 2 and The Sims 3.
Memories 	Sims do not collect memories. 	Sims collect visible memories and invisible memory markers for use in gossip. 	Memories returned in Patch 22, now with screenshots and fully customizable, as well as shareable online. 	Memories can be collected, but are optional. The player can choose whether or not the game prompts them to capture a memory. Milestones function like the memory system in The Sims 2.
Neighborhood/World 	All neighborhoods are the same and pre-designed. Additional neighborhoods can be made if an expansion pack is installed. Later expansion packs add sub-neighborhoods (also pre-designed and added automatically, cannot be removed). Sub-neighborhoods include Downtown, Vacation Island, Studio Town and Magic Town.	3 pre-designed neighborhoods (Pleasantview, Strangetown and Veronaville) which may be (to some extent) tweaked by the player, and terrains may be imported from SimCity 4. Additional neighborhoods built from scratch may be created and added to the menu screen. Additional pre-designed neighborhoods that come from other expansion packs are Riverblossom Hills, Desiderata Valley, and Belladonna Cove. Some expansion packs add the option of attaching sub-neighborhoods, pre-designed or built from scratch, to the main neighborhood. Sub-neighborhoods include College, Nightlife Destination, Shopping District, and Vacation Destination.	1 pre-designed world (Sunset Valley) in retail shipment. Player-created worlds can be created by using Create a World tool. Riverview is available for free download from The Sims 3 Store. Barnacle Bay, Hidden Springs, Lunar Lakes, Lucky Palms, Sunlit Tides, Monte Vista, Aurora Skies, Roaring Heights, Midnight Hollow, and Dragon Valley can be bought from The Sims 3 Store; Barnacle Bay, Hidden Springs, Monte Vista, Dragon Valley, and Roaring Heights also have limited hard copy retail releases and are also available as direct downloads from Origin. Additional worlds also come with expansion packs: Twinbrook, Bridgeport, Appaloosa Plains, Starlight Shores, Moonlight Falls and Isla Paradiso. Sub-worlds are Shang Simla, Champs Les Sims, and Al Simhara, all for adventure purposes; Sims University, the university world in the game; and Oasis Landing, a sci-fi futuristic sub-world.	3 pre-designed worlds (Oasis Springs, Willow Creek, and Newcrest, which was later added via a free update to the game). The Outdoor Retreat and Jungle Adventure game packs added the vacation destinations of Granite Falls and Selvadorada respectively. Additional Worlds also come with expansion packs: Magnolia Promenade, Windenburg, San Myshuno, Brindleton Bay, Del Sol Valley, Sulani, Britechester and Evergreen Harbor. The Vampires, StrangerVille and Realm of Magic game packs added the residential worlds of Forgotten Hollow, StrangerVille and Glimmerbrook respectively.
Interactive NPCs 	Only Townie-type NPCs are interactive. All other NPCs (e.g. maids, social workers, shop clerks, etc.) are not interactive. 	All but a few NPCs (drivers, Rod Humble, social workers, etc.) are interactive. 	Almost all NPCs are interactive with the exception of a few such as drivers. 	All NPCs are interactive and they will be replaced if something causes them to give up their roles.
Phoning 	Random phone calls pranking or giving out money. Couples will occasionally get a phone call asking if they want to adopt a baby. Phone will also ring to announce Sims being fired from their job. Other Sims never call. 	No prank or money calls, but friends and acquaintances may call at random. Sims that were met in gatherings can tell other Sims about how fun the night was, thus random contacts may call up to ask those Sims out. Sims with less than 2 Nice points can make crank calls. 	Friends may call at random, opportunities also come via phone calls. Teens may pull prank calls. 	Friends occasionally call to chat, ask to hang out or invite the player's Sim over. With a high Mischief Skill, Sims can do Prank Calls. In Patch 19, Sims that know the player's Sim can invite them to an event. For example, a child Sim may call another child for a playdate.
Plumbob 	PlumbBob color reflects precise mood: optimum is green, worst is red. 	PlumbBob color represents approximate mood: optimum is platinum, worst is red. 	Same as The Sims. 	Same as The Sims and The Sims 3.
Pregnancy 	No pregnancy, babies can simply appear after user says yes to random "Should we have a baby?" prompt after romantic interaction, or an adoption opportunity. No genetics other than skin color are passed down. Personality for children is randomly generated. 	Try for baby may lead to 3 day pregnancy for adult female Sim who is not within 5 days of transition to elder, genetic traits are passed down from both parents. Alien abduction via telescope may lead to 3 day pregnancy for adult male Sim who is not within 5 days of transition to elder. 	Same as The Sims 2. Alien pregnancy returned in The Sims 3: Seasons. 	Same as The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. Alien pregnancy returned in The Sims 4: Get to Work. Men can become pregnant through WooHoo by using custom gender settings in Create a Sim.
Household accounts 	Household accounts screen can be accessed, showing income and expenditure over past 3 days and current day. 	No such screen. 	Same as The Sims 2. 	Same as The Sims 2 and The Sims 3. However, players can view a breakdown of a household's bills to see how much electricity and water they produce and use, as well as any special taxes applied to a lot, and rent if they live in an apartment or a residential rental.
School performance 	Children with failing grades are banished to Military School and never return. 	When a child in the family has failing grades, all children are taken away by a social worker (unless they're at school), and other families may adopt them. 	Sims with failing grades are not taken away, but the player cannot choose what trait they gain when they age up, or their parents will ground them. Every Sim starts with a "C" grade, and there are 5 grade levels: F, D, C, B and A. 	School grades now function like career levels. The grade levels are the same as The Sims 3. Some Aspirations require for the child to complete the age state with the "A" grade. Failing school doesn't bring any downsides besides negative moodlets.
Schooling options 	Children go to a single school. 	Children and teens go to public or private school. Teens can apply for scholarships and move out to a college, which transitions them to the Young Adult life stage in University. 	Children and teens go to a single school (5 boarding schools added in Generations). 	Children and teens go to a single school, with a separate, active high school option for teens in High School Years.
Number of skills 	6 skills, 1 secret skill. 	7 skills, 3 toddler skills, 7 secret skills. 	10 skills, 4 toddler skills, 10 secret skills. Additionally, 18 skills added from expansion packs and 4 skills added from The Sims 3 Store. 	20 skills, 5 skills for toddlers, 4 skills for children. Additionally, 29 skills added from content packs.
Skills distribution 	Only adults gain skills. 	Toddlers and older can gain skills. 	Children and older can gain skills; toddlers can only learn toddler skills. 	Teens and older can gain skills; toddlers can only learn toddler skills. In addition to learning child skills, children can also learn skills from older life stages, but at a slower rate.
Time 	No days of the week, weekend, or days off work or school (Sims would not be fired for skipping work provided they did attend the following day). Sims cannot quit a job unless they get fired or get a different job. 	7-day week with different days off depending on job. Children and Teens have the weekend off from school. Able to call in sick to work, or call work to quit. Elders can call in to retire. 	Same as The Sims 2, except Sims cannot call in sick to work, but Sims can still miss work at the expense of work performance. With some patches, Sims can take up to 5 unpaid days off work. 	Same as The Sims 2 and The Sims 3.
Wants, Fears, Wishes and Whims.	No wants or fears 	All Sims except babies have 4 wants and 3 fears (Additional 2 wants and/or 1 fear, whether they graduate or get expelled at college). 	Wishes and promises replace wants. No fears. 	Whims initially were the replacement for wants and wishes, and fears weren't present. They could be cancelled and locked, however in patch 132 they were replaced with wants and fears. Wants were the same as whims (without the ability to be cancelled), and fears are long lasting and can only be conquered via fulfilling wants.
Woohoo 	Prior to the formal introduction of the term, Sims can "play" in the Vibromatic Heart Bed or a hot tub. When playing in bed, a dialog box may appear giving the couple the option to have a baby. 	The term is used for the first time. Having WooHoo for the first time will trigger a cinematic and a memory. When done in public, Sims will react to it. There is also an interaction called "Try for baby" that is similar, but carries a chance of conceiving of a pregnancy if it is successful. 	Similar to The Sims 2. Both Sims no longer need to be relaxing on the bed for the interaction to appear. Public WooHoo returns in Late Night; doing so may give Sims the "Publicly Disgraced" moodlet if they are a celebrity. 	Similar to The Sims 2 and The Sims 3.
== Differences in Create-A-Sim ==
 	The Sims 	The Sims 2 	The Sims 3 	The Sims 4
Accessories 	Jewelry, shoes, glasses, etc. not customizable, determined by the Sim's body or head style. 	Glasses may be taken on or off, other accessories are determined by Sim's outfit. Bon Voyage (and every EP after) introduces user control of jewelry. Shoes come with bottoms or one-piece outfits, and are uncustomizable.	All accessories, jewelry and shoes may be customized. Hats and head accessories are attached to hairstyles. 	Same as in The Sims 3, with the exception of hats and some head accessories, which are now separate from hairstyles.
Aspiration and personality	Sims' personalities determined by 25 Personality Points placed in 5 different categories. Players are not required to use all points. 	Same as The Sims, except Aspirations were added, and all points must be assigned to a category. 	Personality Points and Aspirations are no longer used, instead replaced with a new trait system allowing players to give their Sims a unique and more realistic personality. Traits determine which Lifetime Wish matches with Sim's personality although this can be selected individually of trait too. 	Every Sim begins with 3 traits at the Young Adult stage, and has to choose an Aspiration. A Bonus Trait is given depending on the chosen Aspiration. The Aspiration can be switched at anytime. Completed Aspirations can give unique traits and Reward Traits can be bought in the Rewards Store in the Aspirations tab, meaning Sims can have 20+ Traits.
Body size 	Body type dependent on types of clothes worn by the Sim. 	Thin, Fit, and Fat body types possible, with Thin or Fat types available in Create-A-Sim. 	Independent sliders for muscle tone, body fat, breasts, and a muscle definition slider. 	Muscle mass and body fat sliders are present. Every part of the body can be resized independently from the others using the new version of Create-A-Sim.
Changeable clothes 	Sleepwear, swimwear, and formalwear are chosen automatically. Clothing racks from The Sims: Hot Date can be used to buy new outfits in these categories.	Sleepwear, swimwear, formalwear, underwear, athletic wear and outerwear are chosen in Create-a-Sim. Maternity outfits are chosen automatically. 	Same as The Sims 2, with the exception of merging underwear and sleepwear into one category. Players can select up to 3 outfits per category (with the updated version of The Sims 3). Outerwear can be customized. 	Same as in The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, with the exception of career outfits, which are no longer modifiable unless the player uses the sims.modify_career_outfit_in_cas cheat. During pregnancy, Sims wear regular outfits and don't have maternity clothes. Players can select up to 5 outfits per category. A new party outfit category, which is used during various social events was added. Hot weather and cold weather outfit categories were added in patch 68, but The Sims 4: Seasons adds functionality to them.
Family name 	Last name is the same for all Sims. Household name is last name of all Sims in the household. 	Same as The Sims, except when creating University students. In Create-A-Student, there is the option to give different surnames to each individual Sim in the household. 	Each individual Sim can be given a different last name. Players have the ability to change the household name. 	Same as in The Sims 3.
Family tree 	No Family Tree. 	Relationships between spouses, siblings, and parents/children can be established in Create-a-Sim.
Family Tree available in relationship panel. 	Relationships between spouses, siblings, parents, fiancés and boyfriend/girlfriend are established in Create-A-Sim. A Sim's Family Tree is available to view on their main panel. 	Same as in The Sims 2, except for the Family Tree, which was additionally added in Patch 12. That is now available in the Simology panel.
Hair 	Hair color determined by the head style. 	Hair (and eyebrow) color determined by user with a selection of four colors. 	Hair and eyebrow colors are individually selected, and certain parts of the Sim's hair can be changed (roots, main, highlights and tips) with the new color chart allowing the player to give their Sim a natural hair color like brown or blonde, give them crazy highlights or select a vibrant color such as bright green or red.	24 hair colors are available in the base game. Hair, Facial hair and Eyebrows can be recolored independently.
Head style 	Head style determines hairstyle, head shape, hair color, eye color, facial hair, etc. 	Head style determines only the shape of the Sim's heads. 	Same as The Sims 2. 	Same as The Sims 2 and The Sims 3.
Skin 	Sims have light, medium, or dark skin. 	Sims have 4 skin tones ranging from light to dark. 	Sims have a range of skin tones with a slider determining exact color, including three natural skin tones and three bizarre colors (red, blue and green). Patches for both Supernatural and Seasons later added more skin colors to choose from. 	Originally 26 skin colors were present in the game, representing various ethnicities. 3 custom colors, Green, Red and Blue, were also present. Vampire skins are also present. Patch 105 adds 100+ new skin tones with customization sliders.
Styling 	Head style and clothes selected by flipping through all available options. 	Hair styles, clothes, etc. selected from a gallery of thumbnails. 	Same as in The Sims 2, but choices can be customized with Create a Style. 	Same as in The Sims 2, except now each clothing item has various color presets.
==Feature comparisons==
This table shows which notable game features or objects are introduced in which pack for each game.
Features 	The Sims 	The Sims 2 	The Sims 3 	The Sims 4
Actor trailer 	Superstar 	None 	Late Night 	Get Famous (decorative)
Air-based vehicles 	Makin' Magic (blimp) 	Apartment Life (helicopter) 	Into the Future (jetpack)
Aurora Skies (hot-air balloon) 	None
Alien 	None 	Base Game 	Seasons 	Get to Work
Ant farm 	None 	FreeTime 	Pets 	None
American football 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game 	High School Years
Apartments / penthouses 	None 	Apartment Life (apartments) 	Late Night (penthouses) 	City Living (apartments and penthouses)
Discover University, Lovestruck (penthouses)
Eco Lifestyle (apartments)
For Rent (residential rentals)
Aquarium 	Base Game, Hot Date, Superstar (large)
Unleashed (small) 	Base Game, Pets, Apartment Life (large) 	Base Game (small)
High-End Loft Stuff, The Sims 3 Store (large)
Late Night (aquarium wall) 	Base Game (small)
Spa Day, Dine Out, Cats & Dogs (large)
My First Pet Stuff (aquarium table)
Arcade machines / tables 	Vacation 	University 	Late NightShowtimeUniversity Life 	Get Together
Baker's station 	Makin' Magic 	None 	The Sims 3 StoreDeliciously Indulgent Bakery 	None
Balloon 	House Party 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Ballet barre 	None 	FreeTime 	The Sims 3 StoreSkylight Studio for the Performing Arts 	None
Bar 	Base Game, Livin' Large, House Party, Makin' Magic (residential)
Hot Date, Vacation (community) 	Base Game (juice bars) 	Base Game (juice bars)
Late Night (professional bars)
Island Paradise (pool bar) 	Base Game (professional bars)
Barbecue 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Bartender / mixologist 	None 	Base Game 	Late Night 	Base Game
Basement 	None 	NoneA workaround is possible using foundations.	Base Game 	Base Game
Basketball 	Base Game 	FreeTime 	The Sims 3 StoreLevel Up Collection 	City Living
Bass 	None 	University 	Late Night 	None
Beaches 	Vacation 	Bon Voyage 	Base Game 	Island Living
Beehive 	Makin' Magic 	None 	Supernatural 	Seasons
Bicycle 	None 	None 	Base Game 	Discover University, Eco Lifestyle, Cottage Living, Growing Together
Bird 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets 	Life & Death
Bonehilda / skeleton maid 	Makin' Magic 	None 	Supernatural 	Jungle Adventure (skeletal assistant), Paranormal Stuff (Bonehilda)
Bouncer doors 	None 	None 	Late Night 	Get Famous
Bowling 	None 	Nightlife 	University Life 	Bowling Night Stuff
Bubble bar/blower 	House Party, Superstar 	University 	Late Night 	City Living
Buffet table 	House Party 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Luxury Party Stuff, My Wedding Stories, High School Years
Bug collecting 	None 	Seasons, FreeTime 	Base Game, Into the Future 	Outdoor Retreat, Eco Lifestyle
Burglar 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None
Butler 	Superstar 	Apartment Life 	Late Night 	Vintage Glamour Stuff
Campfire / bonfire 	House Party 	
Bon Voyage (campfire)
University (bonfire) 	
Base Game (fire pit)
University Life (bonfire) 	
Outdoor Retreat, Little Campers Kit, Horse Ranch (campfire)
Base Game (bonfire) (Patch 170)
Cash register 	Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar, Makin' Magic 	Base Game 	World Adventures, Ambitions, Supernatural, University Life, Into the Future, The Sims 3 Store 	Get to Work
Ceiling 	None 	Apartment Life 	Base Game 	Base Game
Cellphone / smartphone 	None 	University (cellphone) 	Base Game (cellphone)University Life (smartphone) 	Base Game (smartphone)
Cemetery / graveyard 	Base Game (graveyard) 	Base Game (graveyard)Nightlife (cemetery) 	Base Game 	Cats & Dogs, Snowy Escape (world feature)
Life & Death (lot assignment)
Changing table 	None 	Base Game, FreeTime 	The Sims 3 Store 	Growing Together, Storybook Nursery Kit
Christmas tree 	Livin' Large 	Holiday Party Pack, Happy Holiday Stuff 	The Sims 3 StoreIt is only used as a floor light with high environment score, but Sims won't do anything with it.More Holiday Presents	Holiday Celebration Pack, Seasons
Closet 	None 	Apartment Life 	None 	Get Together, Lovestruck
Cockroaches 	Livin' Large 	Base Game 	Base Game(collectibles) 	Base Game
Coffeemaker / espresso bar 	Base Game (coffeemakers)
Unleashed (espresso bar) 	Base Game (coffeemakers)
University, Apartment Life (espresso bar)	Base Game (coffeemakers)
University Life (espresso bar) 	Base Game (coffeemakers)
Get Together (espresso bars)
Community lots 	Hot Date 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Cowplant 	None 	University 	The Sims 3 Store 	Base Game
Cows 	None 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Cottage Living
Crib 	Base Game (unbuyable) 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Crystal ball 	Livin' Large 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Paranormal Stuff
Dance floor 	House Party 	Nightlife, H&M Fashion Stuff 	Late Night, The Sims 3 Store, 70's 80's 90's Stuff 	Get Together, My Wedding Stories, Horse Ranch
Dance sphere 	None 	Nightlife 	Showtime 	None
Dartboard 	Hot Date 	Base Game 	Late Night 	Base Game (Patch 169)
Dishwasher 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 23)
Diving board / platform 	Base Game (diving board) 	Base Game (diving board) 	Base Game (Patch 42) (diving board) 	Get Together (diving platforms)
DJ booth 	House Party 	Nightlife 	Showtime 	Get Together
Dollhouse 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Drafting table 	None 	FreeTime 	Ambitions 	None
Dragon 	Makin' Magic 	None 	Dragon ValleyDragon Valley 	Realm of Magic
Drink fountain 	House Party 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Luxury Party Stuff, My Wedding Stories, High School Years
Drums 	None 	University 	Late Night 	None
Dumpster 	None 	None 	Base Game 	Eco Lifestyle
Earbuds / music player 	None 	University (music player) 	Showtime (music player) 	Fitness Stuff (earbuds)
Easel 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Elders 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Elevator 	None 	Open for Business, Apartment Life 	Late Night, Into the Future 	City Living, Discover University, Lovestruck
Firefighter 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 95)
Fireworks 	Livin' Large 	Holiday Party Pack 	World Adventures, Katy Perry's Sweet Treats, Seasons (fireworks),
Into the Future (DigiPlosion) 	City Living
Fishing 	Vacation 	Seasons 	Base Game 	Base Game
Food bowl 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets 	Cats & Dogs, My First Pet Stuff
Food processor 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None
Food stand 	Hot Date, Vacation, Unleashed, Superstar, Makin' Magic, The Sims website 	Bon Voyage, Apartment Life 	Seasons, Island Paradise, The Sims 3 StoreHumble Harvest Stands 	City Living, Cats & Dogs, Seasons, Jungle Adventure, Island Living, Discover University, Eco Lifestyle, Snowy Escape, Cottage Living
Game console 	Base Game (virtual reality set) 	Base Game (game console) 	Base Game (game console, virtual reality set) 	Base Game (gaming mat)
City Living (game console)
Gardener 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None 	Base Game (Patch 30)
Genie 	Livin' Large 	FreeTime 	Showtime 	None
Greenhouse 	None 	Seasons 	The Sims 3 Store 	Base Game (Patch 68)
Ghosts 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 5)
Guitar 	Livin' Large 	University 	Base Game 	Base Game
Hiking and jogging 	None 	FreeTime 	Base Game (jogging) 	Base Game(jogging)
Outdoor Retreat, Snowy Escape(hiking)
Horseshoes 	None 	None 	Seasons 	Outdoor Retreat
Hot tub 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Late Night, Outdoor Living Stuff, Showtime, Seasons, Island Paradise, Into the Future, The Sims 3 Store 	Base Game (Patch 92)
Hotel / resort system 	Vacation (hotel) 	Bon Voyage (hotel) 	Island Paradise (resort) 	None
Igloo 	Vacation 	None 	Seasons 	None
Ice cream maker 	None 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Cool Kitchen Stuff
Infants 	None 	None 	None 	Base Game (Patch 142)
Inheritance 	None 	Base Game 	Generations 	Eco Lifestyle (random phone call)
Life & Death (full inheritance)
Interests 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None 	None
Jewelry 	None 	Bon Voyage 	Base Game 	Base Game
Juice 	None 	Seasons 	Base Game 	Base Game
Juice keg 	None 	University 	University Life 	Discover University
Jungle gym 	Base Game 	Apartment Life 	Base Game 	Base Game
Karaoke machine 	Superstar 	Nightlife 	Showtime 	City Living
Keyboard 	Superstar 	None 	Late Night 	City Living
Ladder 	None 	None 	Base Game (Patch 55) 	Base Game (Patch 95)
Launcher 	None 	Bon Voyage, Teen Style Stuff 	Base Game 	None
Laundry system 	None 	None 	Ambitions, Town Life Stuff, University Life, The Sims 3 Store 	Laundry Day Stuff
Lawn water slide 	None 	None 	Generations, Katy Perry's Sweet Treats, The Sims 3 Store 	Backyard Stuff
Lounge chairs 	Vacation 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 81)
Love bed 	Livin' Large 	Apartment Life 	High End Loft Stuff 	Basement Treasures Kit (decorative), Lovestruck (functional)
Massage table 	Superstar 	Bon Voyage 	The Sims 3 Store 	Spa Day
Mechanical bull 	House Party 	None 	Showtime 	None
Memories 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 22), Generations 	Base Game (memories)
Growing Together (milestones)
Mermaids 	None 	None 	Island Paradise 	Island Living
Microphone 	Superstar (Singing) 	Apartment Life (Singing) 	Showtime (Singer) 	
Base Game (Comedy)
City Living (Singing)
Get Famous (Acting)
Microwave oven 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Model train 	Base Game 	FreeTime 	Supernatural 	None
Monkey bars 	None 	Apartment Life 	None 	Base Game
Moodlet 	None 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game
Murphy bed 	None 	Apartment Life 	University Life 	Tiny Living Stuff
Nanny / babysitter 	None 	Base Game (nanny) 	Base Game (babysitter) 	Base Game (both) (Patch 37)
Newspaper 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None
Ownable cars 	NoneUnbuyable, but only appear in carpool for work, taxis to community lot, and shuttle services to vacation destinations.	Nightlife 	Base Game 	NoneAppear as decorations only.
Paparazzi 	Superstar 	None 	Late Night 	Get Famous
Personal Inventory 	Hot Date 	Nightlife 	Base Game 	Base Game
Pets 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets 	Cats & Dogs, My First Pet Stuff, Horse Ranch
Pet bed 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets 	Cats & Dogs, My First Pet Stuff
Pet house 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets 	None
Pet store 	Unleashed 	Pets 	Pets, The Sims 3 Store 	None
Photo booth 	None 	Nightlife 	Showtime, University Life 	High School Years
Piano 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Late Night 	Base Game
Picnic basket 	Hot Date 	None 	Base Game 	Cottage Living
Pinball machine 	Base Game 	Base Game 	The Sims 3 Store 	None
Ping-pong table 	None 	None 	University Life 	Discover University
PlantSims 	None 	Seasons 	University Life 	Base Game
Police officers 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None
Pool slide 	Vacation 	Seasons 	Island Paradise 	None
Pool table 	Base Game 	University, FreeTime, Apartment Life 	Showtime, University Life, Into the Future, The Sims 3 Store 	None
Podium 	None 	Base Game, Seasons 	University Life 	City Living, Discover University, High School Years, Life & Death
Popcorn machine 	Makin' Magic 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Movie Hangout Stuff
Pumpkin 	Makin' Magic 	None 	Seasons 	Spooky Stuff (Jack-o'-lanterns)
Cottage Living (plant)
Punching bag 	None 	Base Game (career reward) 	None 	Base Game
Rabbit holes 	None 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game
Refrigerator 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Remote control vehicle 	None 	Base Game 	The Sims 3 Store 	Discover University
Repairman 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 26)
Repo-man 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 95)
Restaurant system 	Hot Date 	Nightlife, Open for Business 	Base Game (rabbit hole)
The Sims 3 Store (open)Business as Usual Bistro 	Dine Out
Restaurant podium / host station 	Hot Date 	Nightlife, Open for Business 	None 	Dine Out
Restorable car 	None 	FreeTime 	Roaring HeightsRoaring Heights 	None
Rocking chair 	None 	None 	Supernatural, Aurora Skies, Movie Stuff, The Sims 3 Store 	Nifty Knitting Stuff, Growing Together, Horse Ranch, Storybook Nursery Kit, Life & Death
Rodent 	Livin' Large 	Pets 	Pets 	My First Pet Stuff
Santa Claus 	Livin' Large 	Holiday Party Pack (Santa Klaus) 	The Sims 3 Store (free costume) 	Seasons (Father Winter)
Satellite dish 	Superstar 	None 	None 	Get to Work
Sauna 	Superstar 	Bon Voyage 	Sunlit Tides 	Spa Day
Servo 	Livin' Large 	Open for Business 	Ambitions (SimBot)
Into the Future (Plumbot) 	Discover University
Skating rink 	None 	Seasons 	Seasons 	Seasons
Slide 	None 	Apartment Life 	Base Game 	Base Game (jungle gym slide)
Toddler Stuff (toddler slide)
Slot machine 	Livin' Large 	None 	The Sims 3 StoreThe Lucky Simoleon Casino 	None
Smoke detector 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Snowboarding 	Vacation 	None 	Seasons 	Snowy Escape
SoccerAlso called (Association) Football in the UK English release.	None 	FreeTime 	Seasons 	Discover University
Social worker 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None
Solar panels / wind turbines 	None 	Mansion & Garden Stuff 	The Sims 3 Store 	Eco Lifestyle
Sprinkler (fire) 	None 	University 	None 	Base Game
Sprinkler (gardening) 	None 	Seasons 	Base Game 	Seasons
Stage props 	None 	None 	Showtime 	Get Famous
Storing leftovers 	None 	Seasons 	Base Game 	Base Game
Story progression 	None 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 121)
Stove 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Styling station 	None 	Open for Business 	Ambitions 	Get Famous
Sunburn 	None 	Seasons, Bon Voyage 	Seasons 	Island Living
Swimming pool 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 7)
Swing set 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Seasons, Island Living, Little Campers Kit, Growing Together, Lovestruck, Life & Death
Tattooes 	None 	NoneAppears only in top or whole clothes set. 	Ambitions 	Base Game
Tea set 	Makin' Magic 	Bon Voyage 	University Life 
The Sims 3 Store 	Base Game
Teens 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Telescope / backyard observatory 	Livin' Large (telescope) 	Base Game (telescope) 	Base Game (telescope) 	Base Game (telescope (Patch 131), backyard observatory)
Television 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Tent 	Vacation 	Bon Voyage 	World Adventures, Island Paradise 	Outdoor Retreat, Journey to Batuu, Snowy Escape
Toaster oven 	Base Game 	Base Game 	None 	Dream Home Decorator
Toasting set 	None 	Base Game 	None 	My Wedding Stories
Toddlers 	None 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 46)
Toothbrushing 	Base Game 	Apartment Life 	Base Game 	Base Game
Townies 	Hot Date, Vacation, Superstar, Makin' Magic 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Tragic Clown 	Livin' Large 	None 	None 	Base Game
Training dummy 	None 	None 	World Adventures 	StrangerVille
Trash compactor 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Eco Lifestyle (home recycle)
Treadmill 	None 	University 	Base Game 	Base Game
Vampires 	Makin' Magic 	Nightlife 	Late Night, Supernatural 	Vampires
Vanity tables 	None 	University, Seasons, Teen Style Stuff 	Showtime, Supernatural, Movie Stuff 	Vintage Glamour Stuff, Modern Luxe Kit
Vending machine 	The Sims website 	Apartment Life 	University Life 	Base Game (Patch 169)
Violin 	None 	FreeTime 	The Sims 3 StoreThe Duke of Bows Renaissance Faire 	Base Game
Voodoo doll 	Livin' Large 	Bon Voyage 	The Sims 3 Store 	Base Game
Walking between lots 	None 	Bon Voyage 	Base Game 	Base Game
Weather / seasons 	None 	Seasons 	Seasons 	Seasons
Wedding arch and wedding cake 	None 	Base Game 	Generations, Island Paradise, The Sims 3 StoreSerenity RetreatBohemian GardenMonte Vista 	Base Game
Weight machine 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game
Werewolves 	Makin' Magic 	Pets 	Supernatural 	Werewolves
Whiteboard 	None 	None 	University Life 	High School Years
Wind chimes 	Unleashed (decorative) 	None 	The Sims 3 Store 	Backyard Stuff
Wishing well 	None 	Seasons 	Lucky PalmsLucky Palms 	Romantic Garden Stuff, Life & Death
Witches / spellcasters 	Makin' Magic(witch) 	Apartment Life(witch) 	Supernatural(witch) 	Realm of Magic(spellcaster)
Young adults 	None 	University 	Base Game 	Base Game
Zodiac sign 	Base Game 	Base Game 	Base Game (Patch 17), Late Night 	None
Zombie 	Livin' Large 	University 	Supernatural 	None
==See also==
* Comparison between The Sims and The Sims 2
* Comparison between The Sims 2 and The Sims 3
* Comparison between The Sims 3 and The Sims 4
* Comparison between The Sims 3 and The Sims Medieval
* Comparison between vacation themed packs
* Comparison between work themed expansions
* Comparison between nightlife themed packs
* Comparison between pets themed games
* Comparison between weather themed games
* Comparison between college themed expansions
* Theme
== Notes ==
== References ==
Category:Game comparisons