Step Out of the Meme Jacuzzi: The Sims 1 and 2 Re-Releases Are Here and Available Now

EA and Maxis have unveiled a delightful surprise for devoted fans of the classic Sims games as they celebrate the series’ 25th anniversary. Yes, those rumored re-releases of the first two Sims installments are indeed happening, and they’re hitting the digital shelves today.

Speculation had been swirling that EA planned to launch these games digitally on PC by the end of January, and sure enough, here we are on January 31st—right at the eleventh hour on a Friday. Talk about cutting it close!

Available for purchase through the EA app, Epic Games Store, and Steam, the nostalgic offerings are called The Sims: Legacy Collection and The Sims 2: Legacy Collection. You can also grab them bundled together in the Sims 25th Birthday Bundle.

In the announcement, EA expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “To celebrate our legacy and thank the incredible fans who’ve been with us throughout the years, we’re re-releasing two beloved titles featuring familiar neighborhoods and iconic characters like the sneaky burglar, unpredictable genie, and Sunny the Tragic Clown—ones that started it all. Rediscover the nostalgia and charm of these classics that brought so many of you into our amazing community.”

Now, let’s talk pricing: the bundle is set at $39.99, with individual pricing at $19.99 for The Sims: Legacy Collection and $29.99 for The Sims 2: Legacy Collection. As for what’s included, most original expansion packs are part of the deal, though, unfortunately, The Sims 2’s IKEA Home Stuff pack didn’t make the cut.

It’s a bit disappointing, but don’t worry! You’ll still get two holiday packs and the H&M Fashion Stuff pack, offering a taste of corporate flair. Plus, they’ve thrown in The Sims 4’s Throwback Fit Kit and Grunge Revival Kit—different kits for each game—so there’s a treat in store for everyone, especially if you don’t have those yet.

So why are you still hanging around the quirky “meme jacuzzi” section of EA’s peculiar Sims Y2K website, which they launched for this celebration? It’s time to dry off and dive into these re-releases to relive (or perhaps experience for the first time) the magic that captured hearts all those years ago!