The Sims: Bustin? Out

The Sims bust out on the GBA, but the portable version is quite different from what?s come before.

The Sims on the Game Boy Advance would have been a marvelous thing indeed?what better way to kill a bus ride than by torturi?er?nurturing a bunch of tiny pocket people. But Bustin? Out isn?t really The Sims as you know it?it?s more like Animal Crossing with human beings instead of sapient anteaters.

Instead of granting you god powers over several Sims, this version puts you in direct control of a single Sim in a small farm town. You wander around, conversing with characters and doing favors in exchange for money and relationship points. Instead of going to work every day, you participate in mini-games (driving a lawn mover, cliff diving, serving drinks to bar patrons as if you were shuffleboardin?). There are goals to guide you (learn to cook, find a fishing pole, get a roommate), but basically you?re just wandering around doin? whatever you please, making sure you pee, shower, and sleep whenever the appropriate meters get too low. It?s addictive in the same way Animal Crossing is, though without the crazy factor and internal clock gimmick, the addiction wears off quicker.

The production is very good: The character animation is excellent, controlling your Sim is a simulacrum of simplicity, and the dialogue trees with the neurotic citizens can be entertaining. If there?s one problem, it?s that it takes longer than it should to become familiar with the town layout?Sim Valley is divided into small zones, and crossing a border generally brings on a moment of confusion since the seams don?t quite match.

Before you run out and buy the GBA version of The Sims expecting the console or PC version in tiny form, be warned: It?s quite a different?but still pleasant?little slice of alterna-life.

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