The Sims 2

The Sims 2 is the fourth title in The Sims console series. The Sims 2 was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP, and mobile phones in the fourth quarter of 2005. The console versions include a story and gameplay similar to previous versions of the game, while the DS, PSP, and GBA contain their own storylines.

This game lets the player control the Sims directly rather than through point and click movement, which had mixed reactions from fans. The game also carries many things over from The Sims 2 on PC, such as wants, but does not carry over the aging aspect.

The game progresses much like the other console Sims games: the Sim is given a number of objectives to complete while advancing in their career, and they move from house to house as objectives are completed and the player advances in the story. While the objective in previous console games like Bustin' Out were more career-oriented, the objectives in The Sims 2 do not focus on advancing in a career, but the goals to be completed are more aspirational, like buying better stuff, improving a skill, or beating a bully Sim at foosball.

Unlike other games, the player controls the Sims directly with the analogue stick, rather than moving them using the point and click to queue up actions. This gives The Sims 2's gameplay significantly more interactivity and enables the player to control their Sims similarly to an adventure or role-playing game. The option to play using traditional Sims controls is still there, but the third-person control option allows for greater immersion currently exclusive to The Sims 2 console series.