The Sims Vacation Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (26 March, 2002)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Being a Sim must be pretty nice. Through the magic of expansion packs,the little virtual people have been given party favors (House Party),magic genies (Livin' Large), and hot dates (um... Hot Date). Withall these creature comforts, what more could a Sim want? Well, how about afamily vacation to a luxury fantasy resort? Vacation Island is an idyllic placethat has sun, fun, and beaches on one side of the island, snow and skiing on theother, and, in the middle, a forest perfect for camping. A trip to VacationIsland is the perfect reward for your hard-working Sims, and a fun diversion foryou--like all Sims expansions, Vacation is full of quirky Sims-stylehumor, and not everything on Vacation Island is good for your Sims.

A trip to Vacation Island isn't cheap; you have to pay for travel andaccommodations for the entire family, as well as entertainment. And just like areal vacation, you can run out of money fast. Thankfully, while on vacation yourSims' needs are slowed down significantly. They're having fun, and you don'thave to micromanage them nearly as much as you do at home. This allows you tosit back more and just observe your Sims playing with the often-funny new stuff.Stuff like a boardwalk Whack-a-Will (named for Sims creator Will Wright) game, aguy dressed as a shark who tries to terrorize the tourists, and new activitiessuch as camping, building snowmen, playing volleyball, snuggling on a bear skinrug (or picnic blanket), and hitting the ski courses and snowboard half-pipe.When it's time to go home, your Sims can take a few reminders of the trip, bothbeneficial (souvenirs that increase happiness) and detrimental (a commontropical illness). Hint: Fans who remember the Brady Bunch Hawaiianvacation episode would do well to learn from Greg Brady's mistake. --BobAndrews

Pros:

• Over 77 new items and things to do
• Truly expands the game

Cons:

• It's probably time for a full-blown sequel

... Read more

Features

• Take your Sims on a family vacation for the first time. A fully-customizable island destination delivers a wide range of snow, beach, and camping activities.
• Hit the beach for an 8-person vollyball game, go fishing off the pier, hunt snowballs, ride the snow slide, and much more - there's something for Sims of all ages.
• A prowling pickpocket, out-of-control children, a case of Montezuma's Revenge, or some other unexpected surprise can quickly ruin your dream vacation.
• Buy, win or find - and then bring home - the ultimate vacation souvenir, including the fertility god, penguin stuffed animal, quartz skull, and many more memorable items.

Reviews (262)

A GREAT "REALITY GAME"
these games are so amazing and so funny. you can make you dream house with your dream soul mate and even make enemy rivals live on the same property. i had a girl propsing to a guy in the middle of the street in a swim suit. well like i said and amazingly fun time for time on your PC....

Vacation?!?!
Whoa! What a game! In this vacation game, you could do more actions then the actions in the neighborhood. And this is like the same thing like YOU do when you go to vacation. It's almost the same thing! And if the Sims can talk to you, they probably would say thank you for bringing them to vacation. I like the game because, the Sims can play games, win tickets, buy prizes, rent tents and - this is interrupt because there is SO much things you could do and less time. I noticed that every new Sims game you install, you get more things.

If I was in one of the hotels I would play all day long and forget about eating or my energy. I would fish,(If my dad lets me.)and swim too. One of my FAVORITE things to do is build hotels. If I hadn't seen this game, I would have only read, draw, Play Battle Front(A Playstation game.),Do other electronics, sleep and play cards.

Note: If you have a hard time with your money, click the Shift key, the control key (Ctrl), and C at a time.then, first write rosebud, then do it again and do !;!;!;!;!;!;! until it fills the whole line. Bye!

sasha's review
I really like everything about this game!I like that the Sims can go on vacation several times.You can buy one rug that costs a lot...it's a white bear rug that the Sims can sit on.There are more beds to choose from when you want to buy a bed.Another thing I really like about this game is when the Sims rent a metal detector.They find really funny things like old boots, money, and treasure!You can get a lot of prize tokens and get lots of stuffed animals.There isn't anything that I don't like about this game. ... Read more

Asin: B00005V3TH
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulators (Simulation)    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)   

The Sims Expansion: Hot Date (Mac)
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (12 June, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (34)

Fun but hard to find a date
This game is quite fun! You are able to do the most stuff with it. It is the first time that Aspyr came up with the concept to get the Sims 'out of the house'.
However, I have played this game for hours on end and still haven't been able to get a loving relationship. Its quite hard. Maybe I am doing something wrong.

IT COOL BUT HARD!!!
I thought that it was really cool taking yours sims on a date!! It is a little hard for them to fall in love but you well really enjoy seeing it if you do get it!!!! After that you can get married!! And then you can adopt or have a baby after you fall in love! But it is really hard work to get a baby or even get married. A lot of kissing and hugging! Make sure to take a lot of pictures!!

Memory Hog
Neat idea - get the Sims out of their houses and have them interact.The only problem?This is a HUGE memory hog!It's fun but make sure you have enough free memory to run this. ... Read more

Asin: B00005YY9R
Sales Rank: 1295
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Macintosh (Machintosh)    3. Mac    4. Apple    5. Simulations (Simulation, Simulate)   

The Sims Livin' Large Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (30 August, 2000)
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Sex and aliens. That's really all that was missing from the amazingoriginal edition of The Sims, and the expansion Livin' Largedelivers these new treats to liven up your beloved Sims existence.

New characters (including a gladiator and Xena-like warriors), and, moreimpressively, new decorations are the reasons to buy this game. Thefurnishingsare mostly grouped by theme, with the medieval dungeon option the mostauthoritative of the bunch. (Little Cassandra Goth has been longing toread by torch light all along.)

Our personal favorite is the futuristic theme, with an optional, butexpensive,maid/gardener robot to take care of the fabulous modern furnishings. ClearlytheSims team has been doing its research over at Herman Miller, and you'll have abright red, flowing-foam sofa to show for it.

But it wouldn't be The Sims if only good taste prevailed. Bring on themai tais with a tiki-heavy islander theme. There's also a startling collectionof carpeting and objects best grouped under the design ideal we call "dementedclown."

The attention-getting rarities include: a lame fortune-telling ball (ouradvicemostly centered around hiring a maid), a voodoo doll for hexing roommates,and agenie who delivers as much bad as good (dead plants, anyone?). And, yes,there'sa vibrating bed to give your Sims the spice they've been missing.

While the expansion didn't blow us away, it did provide more of the humor andnovelty true Sims die-hards will appreciate. With even more attentiontodetail than the original offering, EA deserves Sims-like applause forthis edition. --Jennifer Buckendorff ... Read more

Reviews (250)

Livin' It Up
Livin' Large wasn't bad, but I worship it compared to Vacation as it's got variety. Livin' Large has new items concentrated in the different ways of construction of a house. Lots of new doors, windows, wall textures and roofs are added as well as decoration items to go with the theme. I use the medieval theme a lot! It even includes the Love Bed, abduction of Sims are now possible through frequent use of the telescope, and Grim Reapers appear to decide the fate of your close-to-dead Sim who you can only save by beating it to a game of Stone-Papper-Scissors (cute).

Livin' Large definately enhances the game, and it's absence would affect the game greatly unlike some other expansion packs I could mention.

The Most Underated Expansion Pack
Although Livin' Large is not my favorite expansion pack, I think it is the most underated.What would we do without the telescope, chemistry set and guitar?I loved all the wacky items that Maxis added and the medieval theme.If you have the sims deluxe edition don't worry about buying it... Livin' Large is included.

Ehhh... it's ok
Actually this is a great installment, but my favorite is House Party. What's great about Livin' Large is mostly the items. New items include a robot, love bed, and a lot more. Like all the other expansion packs this one more neighborhoods. I would suggest you just wait for Sims 2 to come out instead of buying more expansion packs. ... Read more

Asin: B00004UE0I
Subjects:  1. Living simpeople people    2. Expansion add-on pack    3. Computer Games    4. Strategy (Strategic)    5. Simulations    6. World Building (Builders)   

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (14 December, 2003)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack represents an entirely new experience for your Sims--dating! With exciting new characters, interests, romance objects, and an all-new downtown area filled with restaurants, shops, and parks, Hot Date will get your Sims off the couch and into the singles scene. Play matchmaker for your Sims and watch them become Casanovas or Casa-nevers.

Players can have their Sims ask each other out on a date, or they can try their luck with an in-game dating service. Arrange to meet another Sim downtown at exciting and romantic locations that the player can create. Everything from a candlelit dinner, a drink at the bar, or a rendezvous in the park is possible as your Sim attempts to orchestrate an evening to remember.

Once your Sim is out with that special someone, additional interests and new interactions keep the conversation flowing and chemistry clicking. Sims can now flirt, play footsie, engage in a little tonsil hockey, or converse in Simlish about new and diverse interests. Being a fun and fascinating date gets your Sim one step closer to a goodnight kiss, or more!

Players can watch sparks fly or fizzle as their Sims meet and date a host of new characters. Sims can spurn the advances of the Jock, welcome the overtures of the Femme Fatale, find true lust with Mr. Medallion, or strike out with the Blonde Bombshell. More than 100 new objects, including the Picnic Basket, Cuddle Couch, and Love Tub, allow players to set the mood for their Sims. Find your Sim a soul mate... or just have fun looking with The Sims: Hot Date Expansion Pack. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Strut your stuff when you take your Sims on a dream date
• Platform: Windows 95/98/Me/XP

Reviews (417)

Great game, a few bugs still to be worked out...
I've been slightly obsessed with playing The Sims since the day I first got the game. This wasn't too long ago but I was enjoying the interactions and wanted a bit more. Lo and behold, I got Hot Date. I have to say, I've been having oodles of fun designing the downtown area and taking my Sims places where they (literally) had never been before.

I greatly enjoyed all the new objects (ceiling lighting...finally!) and architectural styles and definitely enjoy watching my Sims cuddle, blow kisses, flex muscles, you name it! Also, being able to invite the Townies over is great and all these things expand the game so much which only makes it better.

So I was there, feeling like quite the architect AND matchmaker when a few problems starting coming up such as Sims that would never get into the cab to go downtown, the cuddlers who just got stuck... I have to add that I installed the patch offered on the official website to fix both of these problems but sadly, it didn't have the desired effect so some Sims are just not able to EVER get downtown when they call the cab and some others just well... cuddle too much, let's say.

So, despite all this, I still have enough resources to garner A LOT of quite fun gameplay but still, I wish it were perfect, just as it was intended to be *sigh* Still, it is way too much fun for me not to recommend it due to a few problems. Get it, you'll really enjoy it.

The best game expansion pack ever!!!
The Sims: Hot Date is without a doubt the best game expansion pack ever. Some people say that The Sims: Vacation is a better than hot date but they are wrong. First of all there are 125 new items on Hot date. Only 77 items on Vacation. There are many Pros and Cons about this game.
_________________________________________________________________
Pros
1.Alot of new items/objects. There are new floors, windows, wallpapers, doors, trees, lights, tables and counters. There's even a lighted ceiling fan.
2.You get to create a whole different world(Downtown).
3.Get to expand the sims social life. Alot of the sims atitude depends on social activity.
Cons
1.Takes a long time to load.
2.It could have more features.
_________________________________________________________________
This is a must buy expansion pack!

Spend money on WOMEN, not silly GAME
Guys, really! If you want to go on a date, fine... get a fine looking woman, and ASK HER OUT! If you want to sit around the house all day desperate, alone, and lonely...buy and play this game religiously!

With the amount of TIME and MONEY you spend on these PATHETIC games, you could be meeting real people, doing real things, and maybe...oh my gosh!...GETTING ***REAL*** WOMEN! LOL! ... Read more

Asin: B00005N6ZL
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulators (Simulation)    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)   

The Sims: House Party Expansion Pack
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $19.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Toga party, anyone? Now your Sims can do that and more withThe Sims: House Party Expansion Pack, which makes it easier thanever for characters from The Sims to make friends and quicklyrise to the top ranks of their professions.

They'll need all the extra money they make from promotions to pay forall the cool goodies included in this expansion. Party themes rangefrom Wild West campfire cookouts to Hawaiian luaus and room-shakingraves, with plenty of objects provided to keep guests entertained.There's a costume trunk to guarantee everyone will be dressed for theoccasion, and it's even possible to hire a caterer to keep the food anddrink flowing. If you're really lucky, a famous star may pop in for aguest appearance. Every party is packed with surprises, and theinclusion of extra neighborhoods ensures there's always a bash to plan.This is one expansion that no fan of The Sims should be without.--T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• More than 100 new objects and characters
• Guaranteed social interactions can really help a Sim's career
• Great music and fun themes
• Plenty of surprises

Cons:

• Takes time away from real parties

... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Party hard with your Sims using a dance cage, mechanical bull, and hookah
• Platform: Windows 95/98/Me/XP

Reviews (197)

Having a big bash!!!
It's cool to have parties when a lot of people come.I have a huge party room where people dance and be the D.J. It's fun when you get a big cake and hire a male or female dancer and they pop out of the cake and do a dance,but watch out because sometimes they come up to you and make out with you or flirt with you.If you don't have this game you should buy it.

House Party!
The Sims House Party is one of the few expansion packs that I can't do without apart from Hot Date and Livin' Large (And to some extent Vacation, and Superstar). It truly enhances Sims' lives by inviting each other for costume or themed parties, but it has it's disadvantages as well.

You want to make sure that your Sims really know the people around you for the party to go well or the dreaded Mime'll arrive. He doesn't do much apart from get in the way and annoy people. While on the other hand, if your party's a success you get a surprise visit from a celebrity! It's never happened to me yet, but then again I've done the sad mistake of signing up with the Talent Agency too quickly.

Also, if your Sim isn't on good terms with any other Sim in the neighborhood, using the phone to declare a house party'll automatically invite them as well. This can get nasty sometimes. In cases like these, it'd be "safer" to use the phone and manually select who you want to invite over. Then of course, you can always buy the turkey and the Christmas tree.

Parties are even divided into adult or kiddy parties, with dance entertainers popping out of cakes for the former but a purple gorilla usually stuns the kids for the latter. Some of the additional items that come along with this expansion pack are DJs, Caterers and costume wardrobes!

Recommended.

Great New Stuff!!!
Want some new skins, objects, walls, and floors for your Sims?Look no further than House Party!There is some great having-fun-potential here!!!Whether you want an entertainer to pop out of a cake or you want to sit around a campfire to sing songs and roast marshmallows (this is so cute... when they sing around the campfire, someone pulls out a guitar and they all sing real melodies but with Sim lyrics), House Party is for anybody!
Don't stay up too late! And go easy on the alcohol! ;) ... Read more

Asin: B000059S8D
Subjects:  1. Computer Games    2. Simulators (Simulation)    3. Strategy (Strategic)    4. Simulations    5. World Building (Builders)