The Sims Bustin' Out Game Boy Advance

After proliferating on PCs and conquering the consoles, the Sims bust out in this first portable version of Maxis' popular people simulator. Fans should feel at home with vital Sims gameplay elements, such as the ability to design custom characters and the responsibility for seeing that their basic daily needs are met. A few important changes have been made, however, as the series moves from monitors and TV sets to the small screens of the Game Boy Advance.

The control scheme in this portable version has been designed from scratch, to best match the GBA's button layout. One big difference in controlling the game concerns the way players move their Sims from place to place. For the first time in any Sims game, players take direct, driving control of their characters, instead of click-queuing a string of actions for Sims to follow in turn.

Connectivity is another important feature of this version of The Sims. Properly equipped Nintendophiles will be able to transfer their GameCube Bustin' Out characters to the GBA for some on-the-go development and needs-meeting, then send them back home to the GameCube, improved and refreshed. Connecting the GBA Sims also unlocks a money-making mini-game on the GameCube, and a "hidden" level in the portable version. Certain character-based objects can be traded between two linked GBA Sims Bustin' Out players.

More similar to the console than the home computer versions of the game, The Sims Bustin' Out focuses on a single character who moves through a loosely scripted story line. Player characters begin the game living in a barn, so there's no where to go but up. As they develop skills and meet certain goals, characters can unlock useful objects, move into nicer homes, and improve their lifestyles as players see fit. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide