When I recently admitted that I’ve played The Sims 4 for over 2,000 hours, someone gently pointed out that this translates to nearly 86 days of my life. It’s a number that sounds a little horrifying on paper, but also likely reasonable to anyone who’s ever lost an afternoon to a new build or a Sim’s midlife crisis. Because if I’m honest, that’s only counting The Sims 4. If I factored in every version I’ve played, the number would be staggering: from my first foray into The Sims 2, the more age-appropriate MySims, and finally the Christmas morning I unwrapped The Sims 4 in 2014. I’ve said “sul sul” to my fair share of simulated lives.
Still, I’ve always wished I could bring that little world with me. For all my hours spent building dream homes and ruining digital relationships in my 20s, The Sims has never truly captured that portable magic. There were DS MySims titles back in the day that I adored, but none of the later mobile spin-offs ever managed to recreate that same feeling. It’s a dream I took for granted as a kid and one I’ve quietly carried into adulthood.
That’s about to change. With EA’s recent announcement that MySims is coming to Apple Arcade, I’m preparing for what feels less like a reboot and more like a return—one that promises to shrink the cutest sandbox of nostalgia down to the size of my palm.
MySims Arrives On Apple Arcade At the Perfect Moment
MySims has been having a moment. With the release of MySims Cozy Bundle last year, its reemergence sparked a wave of nostalgia among Sims fans. Now, more Sims fans can enjoy the title, whether they played it on the DS or are simply curious about it. However, it appears that the cozy project is still gaining momentum. EA just announced that MySims is continuing its comeback, this time on Apple Arcade. MySims and MySims Kingdom will be available on Apple Arcade on November 6, 2025.
Originally released on the Nintendo DS and Wii, MySims was EA’s bright, bubbly The Sims spin-off: smaller in scale, heavier on charm, and designed for the kind of player who just wanted to vibe. Now, with its debut on Apple Arcade, that charm gets a fresh start ideally suited for touchscreens and lazy weekend gaming sessions.
For fans like me who have been dreaming of a portable The Sims title that wasn’t just a mobile exclusive, it feels like a long-overdue reunion. For anyone who ever spent a Saturday afternoon decorating pastel houses and befriending the weirdest little villagers, this is our moment.
EA Joins the Cozy Mobile Gaming Race
For years, The Sims has been the cozy life-sim juggernaut that refuses to fit in your pocket, even in the face of other popular titles that do. The Sims 4 never made it to the Nintendo Switch, and its mobile spin-offs (FreePlay, Mobile) never quite captured the magic of the mainline experience. But MySims joining Apple Arcade might be a subtle turning point. If this is a step in a new direction, players might be watching The Sims quietly step into a new era—one where “playing God” is just as easy on the couch, on the train, or in bed.
- A Cozy Market Dominated by Portability: Stardew Valley, Cozy Grove, and Spiritfarer are all thriving on mobile or console. In a market that can be oversaturated, sometimes, convenience may make a game stand out. And although EA is a massive player in this market, it has introduced MySims into this territory.
- The Sims Is Finally Joining the Mobile Race: By introducing MySims on a platform like Apple Arcade, EA may measure interest in bite-sized, offline-friendly versions of The Sims.
- A Strategic Soft Launch: This could be a low-risk way to test the appetite for portable Sims experiences before developing a full handheld entry or even considering porting The Sims 4. With The Sims 5 not expected to arrive anytime soon, The Sims 4 faces a unique challenge in sustaining its longevity. Perhaps ports may be a solution.
- Nostalgia with Intent: Choosing MySims doesn’t seem random. It’s familiar, low-stakes, and cozy enough to pull long-time fans (and curious new players) back into the fold. It would also be a cozy title to compete directly with titles like Disney Dreamlight Valley and Hello Kitty Island Adventure in terms of structure.
MySims Is the Cozier Side of The Sims Franchise
I love The Sims. I’ve got thousands of hours to prove it. But sometimes, I want something simpler on hard days. An experience that offers the structure. Something that doesn’t ask me to manage six of my most erratic Sims’ emotional breakdowns before they head to work. That’s where MySims comes in to rescue me from the clutches of Don Lothario.
I have to acknowledge, however, that MySims isn’t for every The Sims player. Players who have grown too accustomed to the vast sandbox may feel too confined by its linear storytelling, end goals, and lack of cheekier humor. But MySims is not about controlling chaos; it’s about crafting joy. And in a world full of high-stress life sims, MySims feels like a quiet, colorful exhale. It was a proper cozy game before “cozy games” became a genre, and if you’re a cozy game fan, MySims may be for you.
If You’re A Longtime Sims Player, MySims is at Least Worth a Chance
MySims may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I insist that most simmers should give it a try. Especially if those simmers like to tread on the cozier side of the life sim genre. And platforms like iOS or macOS serve the game’s casual nature perfectly.
- Touchscreen Ready: The gameplay already feels tailor-made for mobile. You can literally pick up and play while curled under a blanket.
- No Microtransactions: Apple Arcade means no ads, no waiting timers, and no requests to purchase digital currency for the best experience. This may be a welcome change of pace for those players who often miss out on The Sims 4’s Expansion Packs due to price tag concerns. This is a Sims game without the investment.
- A Game That Fits the Moment: MySims is cozy, colorful, and bite-sized. Exactly what most Sims fans need in between The Sims 4 updates.
- Room to Grow: Now that it’s back in the spotlight, there have been rumors that more classic MySims games may be making a comeback. If those rumors are true, then simmers may have a lot to look forward to. And they should absolutely explore the source materials regardless.
MySims Cozy Bundle
- Released
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November 19, 2024
- ESRB
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Everyone
- Developer(s)
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EA Redwood Shores
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Franchise
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The Sims
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
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November 19, 2024
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