Software:The Sims Bustin' Out

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Short description: 2003 video game
The Sims Bustin' Out
Bustingoutbox.jpg
North American Xbox cover art
Developer(s)Maxis
Griptonite Games (GBA)
Ideaworks3D (NGE)
Publisher(s)EA Games
Designer(s)Sean Baity
Writer(s)Sean Baity
Composer(s)Jerry Martin
SeriesThe Sims
Platform(s)N-Gage, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance
ReleaseGame Boy Advance, GameCube, PS2, Xbox
  • NA: December 16, 2003
  • EU: December 19, 2003
  • AU: February 27, 2004
  • JP: February 29, 2004 (PS2 & GBA only)
N-Gage
  • EU: May 10, 2004
  • NA: May 12, 2004
  • JP: May 23, 2004
Genre(s)Social simulation game
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The Sims Bustin' Out is a video game that was released in 2003/2004 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and N-Gage. It is the second title in The Sims console series and the first The Sims title not released on Windows PC.

It featured the same 3D environment and engine the past game did, however adds several features from The Sims expansion packs: Livin' Large, House Party, Hot Date and Superstar. As the title suggests, Sims can get out of the house to visit other locations such as Shiny Things Lab or Casa Caliente. There are two modes: Bust Out Mode, which has mission-based gameplay and Freeplay Mode, which is open-ended gameplay very much like the original The Sims PC game. The PlayStation 2 version once featured the option to play online. However, it was shut down on August 1, 2008 (the same day The Sims Online shut down).

The Game Boy Advance and N-Gage version has its own storyline. The Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS version of The Urbz, released in 2004, serves as a sequel to this version.

Gameplay

In the console version, Malcolm Landgraab is going around his neighborhood, stealing items in return for unpaid rent. The player's objective is to complete each career track, unlock and buy back everyone's many possessions, and become rich enough to evict Malcolm from his mansion and move their own Sim in. Furnishing items are unlocked through the completion of different objectives. Aside from the objectives, gameplay is similar to previous Sims titles.

The Game Boy Advance and N-Gage version puts the player's Sim in "SimValley" for a summer holiday. Like the console version, GBA/N-Gage version gameplay is objective-based – every time the player completes a series of tasks, the game progresses. In this game, there are no furnishing objects to unlock. Instead, the player must complete all tasks to unlock new houses. Deviating from the "point-and-click" selection process used in every previous Sims title, this version allows the user to control their Sim directly, using the GBA's directional pad. In these versions, new mini-games (jobs for the Sims) are unlocked progressively when certain tasks are done. The GBA and N-Gage versions are largely the same, but the N-Gage version has an exclusive feature that allows Sims to collect three cartridges from various locations and play classic games such as Snake on the Sims' mobile phone.

In both versions, there are various locations that Sims may visit throughout the course of the game. As Sims advance through the game, new areas become accessible.

Online play

Exclusive to the PlayStation 2 version was a free online play called "Online Weekend" which was very similar to The Sims Online. This mode allowed players to participate in both freeplay and storymode with each other and chat using the USB keyboard on the PlayStation 2. The server for the game shut down on August 1, 2008, the same day The Sims Online was shut down, rendering the game impossible to play online.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GBAGCN-GagePS2Xbox
EGM7/10[6]8.83/10[7]N/A8.83/10[7]8.83/10[7]
EurogamerN/A7/10[8]N/A7/10[8]7/10[8]
Famitsu27/40[9]N/AN/A32/40[10]N/A
Game Informer8.5/10[11]9/10[12]8.25/10[13]9.25/10[14]N/A
GamePro4/5[15]4/5[16]4/5[17]4/5[16]4/5[16]
GameRevolutionN/AB[18]N/AB[18]B[18]
GameSpot8.1/10[19]8.3/10[20]7.4/10[21]8.3/10[20]8.3/10[20]
GameSpy4/5[22]4.5/5[23]3/5[24]4.5/5[25]4.5/5[26]
GameZone8.4/10[27]8.6/10[28]7.9/10[29]8.2/10[30]7.8/10[31]
IGN8/10[32]8.2/10[33]7/10[34]8/10[35]8/10[35]
Nintendo Power4.2/5[36]4.3/5[37]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/A4.5/5[38]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/AN/A8.9/10[39]
The Cincinnati Enquirer4.5/5[40]N/AN/AN/AN/A
The TimesN/AN/A5/5[41]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic79/100[1]81/100[2]78/100[3]81/100[4]81/100[5]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[1][2][3][4][5] In Japan, where the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 2 versions were ported for release under the game The Sims (ザ・シムズ, Za Shimuzu) on January 22, 2004, Famitsu gave it a score of one seven, one nine, and two eights for the latter;[10] and one seven, one six, and two sevens for the former.[9] The Sims Bustin' Out tied with EyeToy for winning "Console Family Game of the Year" at the AIAS' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.[42]

The Times gave the N-Gage version all five stars, saying, "The graphics are sublime, though this scaled-down version does have its limitations: there are, for example, no 'Simspeak' exchanges since the conversations are all text-based. Still, Bustin' Out should help to broaden the appeal of the nGage."[41] The Village Voice gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of nine out of ten, saying, "The devil's in the details [...] mundane or fun, everything recedes into a heartbeat of flushing, snoring, and Simlish."[43] The Cincinnati Enquirer gave the Game Boy Advance version a similar score of four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "There are more than 20 different locations in the game to unlock and visit."[40]

The PlayStation 2 version received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[44] indicating sales of at least 300,000 units in the UK.[45]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Sims Bustin' Out for Game Boy Advance Reviews [game mislabeled as "Tak and the Power of Juju""]. Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/tak-and-the-power-of-juju/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Sims Bustin' Out for GameCube Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-bustin-out/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Sims Bustin' Out, The (ngage: 2004): Reviews". CNET. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ngage/simsbustinout. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Sims Bustin' Out for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-bustin-out/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Sims Bustin' Out for Xbox Reviews". Red Ventures. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-bustin-out/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  6. ↑ EGM staff (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GBA)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (174): 164. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Tsao, Jennifer; Linn, Demian; Shepherd, Carrie (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (174): 132. http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1487415,00.asp. Retrieved March 14, 2022. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Bramwell, Tom (January 23, 2004). "The Sims' Bustin Out [sic (GC, PS2, Xbox)"]. Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_thesimsbustinout. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "ザ・シムズ (GBA)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 788. January 23, 2004. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3147&redirect=no. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ザ・シムズ (PS2)" (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain) 788. January 23, 2004. https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3141&redirect=no. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  11. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". Game Informer (GameStop) (129): 160. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/D9343397-EB65-46C2-8B39-48D714B224A8.htm. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GC)". Game Informer (GameStop) (128): 140. http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200401/R04.0120.0932.43567.htm. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  13. ↑ Mason, Lisa (July 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (N-Gage)". Game Informer (GameStop) (135): 123. 
  14. ↑ Mason, Lisa (January 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (PS2)". Game Informer (GameStop) (129): 130. http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200401/R04.0120.0822.50528.htm. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  15. ↑ Star Dingo (December 3, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/31873.shtml. Retrieved March 14, 2022. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Star Dingo (December 16, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GamePro (IGN Enteetainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/32101.shtml. Retrieved March 14, 2022. 
  17. ↑ Test Monkey (June 9, 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out Review for N-Gage on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). http://www.gamepro.com/nokia/ngage/games/reviews/35971.shtml. Retrieved March 14, 2022. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 A.A. White (January 2004). "[The Sims: Bustin' Out Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)"]. CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33659-sims-bustin-out-review. 
  19. ↑ Park, Andrew Seyoon (December 11, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (GBA)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-bustin-out-review/1900-6085460/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Park, Andrew Seyoon (December 16, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-bustin-out-review/1900-6085705/. 
  21. ↑ Davis, Ryan (June 8, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (N-Gage) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-bustin-out-review/1900-6100210/. 
  22. ↑ Padilla, Raymond (December 29, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". IGN Entertainment. http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/the-sims-bustin-out/6516p1.html. 
  23. ↑ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/the-sims-bustin-out/6505p1.html. 
  24. ↑ Leeper, Justin (June 7, 2004). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (NNG)". IGN Entertainment. http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/the-sims-bustin-out/521579p1.html. 
  25. ↑ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/the-sims-bustin-out/6506p1.html. 
  26. ↑ Fryman, Avi (December 18, 2003). "GameSpy: The Sims Bustin' Out (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/the-sims-bustin-out/6507p1.html. 
  27. ↑ McElfish, Carlos (December 21, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out - GBA - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_bustin_out_gba_review/. 
  28. ↑ McElfish, Carlos (January 9, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - GC - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_bustin_out_gc_review/. 
  29. ↑ Knutson, Michael (July 26, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - NG - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_bustin_out_ng_review/. 
  30. ↑ Valentino, Nick (December 29, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out - PS2 - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_bustin_out_ps2_review/. 
  31. ↑ Surette, Tim (January 1, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out - XB - Review". https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_sims_bustin_out_xb_review/. 
  32. ↑ Harris, Craig (December 1, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (GBA)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/02/the-sims-bustin-out-4. 
  33. ↑ Irwin, Mary Jane (December 12, 2003). "The Sims Bustin' Out (GCN)". IGN Entertainment. http://cube.ign.com/articles/446/446037p1.html. 
  34. ↑ Rodriguez, Tyrone (August 13, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out Review (NNG)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/13/the-sims-bustin-out-review. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Irwin, Mary Jane (December 12, 2003). "The Sims: Bustin' Out (PS2, Xbox)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/13/the-sims-bustin-out. 
  36. ↑ "The Sims Bustin' Out (GBA)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 176: 151. February 2004. 
  37. ↑ "The Sims Bustin' Out (GC)". Nintendo Power (Nintendo of America) 176: 146. February 2004. 
  38. ↑ Nguyen, Thierry (January 2004). "The Sims: Bustin' Out". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (76): 126. http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,4364,1415044,00.asp. Retrieved March 13, 2022. 
  39. ↑ "The Sims Bustin' Out". Official Xbox Magazine (Imagine Media): 104. Christmas 2003. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Saltzman, Marc (January 9, 2004). "PC, console titles now designed for mobile play". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/010904_mobile.html. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Wapshott, Tim (June 12, 2004). "The Sims Bustin' Out (N-Gage)". The Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-sims-bustin-out-7g80mm6q967. (Subscription content?)
  42. ↑ "7th Annual Interactive Achievement Award Winners Announced". Writers Write. https://www.writerswrite.com/7th-annual-interactive-achievement-award-3192004288. 
  43. ↑ Catucci, Nick (January 6, 2004). "Go, and Sim Some More: Bustin' Out Is a Religious Experience (PS2)". The Village Voice (Village Voice, LLC). https://www.villagevoice.com/2004/01/06/go-and-sim-some-more-bustin-out-is-a-religious-experience/. 
  44. ↑ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944. 
  45. ↑ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Informa. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/elspa-i-wii-fit-mario-kart-i-reach-diamond-status-in-uk. 

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