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Best games by Maxis
14th Feb 2026
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Maxis, a name synonymous with groundbreaking simulation games, has captivated players for decades. From building bustling metropolises to managing the intricate lives of virtual people, their titles have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape. With a rich history spanning numerous genres and platforms, pinpointing the definitive "best" Maxis game is a challenge, sparking debates among passionate fans. Now's your chance to weigh in on the legacy of this iconic developer! Which Maxis creation stands out as the most innovative, engaging, and memorable? Vote now to have your voice heard and help determine the ultimate champion among these legendary games. Let the simulation showdown begin!
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#2.
The Sims™ 3 (2011)
2/5
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The Sims™ 3 (2011) invites players to "Play with Life" and "Create the lives you've always wanted," offering an expansive canvas to design an ideal virtual world. Players begin by meticulously crafting their Sims, refining every detail from appearance to personality traits, then move on to designing their dream homes with unparalleled creative freedom, placing and rotating furniture and walls to their heart's content. The core gameplay revolves around guiding these Sims through life's journey, developing careers, fostering relationships, and pursuing unique aspirations and dreams, all while emphasizing the importance of social connections and skill development. A standout innovation for the series, highlighted in this installment, is the ability to explore a lively, open neighborhood for the first time, fostering a seamless sense of community and adventure, with a vast catalog of expansion packs continually extending the possibilities. The Sims™ 3 (2011) unquestionably earns its place among the "Best games by Maxis" due to its revolutionary impact on the beloved life simulation franchise, a genre Maxis pioneered. This installment pushed boundaries with its groundbreaking open-world design, allowing Sims to move freely between lots and explore a vibrant neighborhood without loading screens, a significant leap from previous titles. This innovation, combined with deep character customization, the expansive Create-a-Style tool that allowed unprecedented personalization of objects and textures, and a robust gameplay loop encompassing careers, relationships, and aspirations, garnered both critical acclaim and immense commercial success. Its enduring popularity, supported by a vast array of expansion packs, cemented its legacy as a pinnacle of the series and a testament to Maxis's continued excellence in crafting immersive and infinitely replayable simulation experiences that empower players to truly "play with life."
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The Sims™ 4 (2020)
*The Sims 4* invites players to unleash their imagination, offering unparalleled freedom to create a unique world populated by highly customizable Sims. Players can meticulously design every detail, from how Sims look, act, and dress, to crafting elaborate homes with a vast array of furnishings and décor across vibrant neighborhoods. The game encourages dynamic storytelling, allowing players to manage the daily ups and downs of their Sims' lives, fostering relationships, pursuing careers, and achieving life aspirations. With the base game now free to download, *The Sims 4* provides a rich sandbox experience where the possibilities for creativity and narrative are truly endless. This entry firmly belongs on a list of "Best games by Maxis" as it represents the pinnacle of their pioneering life simulation genre. While initially released in 2014, its continued evolution, notably the 2020 transition to a free-to-play base game, cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon and significantly expanded its reach. *The Sims 4*'s enduring success is a testament to Maxis's commitment to empowering player creativity and open-ended gameplay, fostering a robust community and an ever-expanding ecosystem of content. Its deep customization, emotional depth, and consistent popularity solidify its place as one of Maxis's most successful and beloved titles, embodying the innovative spirit that defines the studio's best work.
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The Sims™ 3 (2011)
The Sims™ 3 (2011) invites players to "Play with Life" and "Create the lives you've always wanted," offering an expansive canvas to design an ideal virtual world. Players begin by meticulously crafting their Sims, refining every detail from appearance to personality traits, then move on to designing their dream homes with unparalleled creative freedom, placing and rotating furniture and walls to their heart's content. The core gameplay revolves around guiding these Sims through life's journey, developing careers, fostering relationships, and pursuing unique aspirations and dreams, all while emphasizing the importance of social connections and skill development. A standout innovation for the series, highlighted in this installment, is the ability to explore a lively, open neighborhood for the first time, fostering a seamless sense of community and adventure, with a vast catalog of expansion packs continually extending the possibilities. The Sims™ 3 (2011) unquestionably earns its place among the "Best games by Maxis" due to its revolutionary impact on the beloved life simulation franchise, a genre Maxis pioneered. This installment pushed boundaries with its groundbreaking open-world design, allowing Sims to move freely between lots and explore a vibrant neighborhood without loading screens, a significant leap from previous titles. This innovation, combined with deep character customization, the expansive Create-a-Style tool that allowed unprecedented personalization of objects and textures, and a robust gameplay loop encompassing careers, relationships, and aspirations, garnered both critical acclaim and immense commercial success. Its enduring popularity, supported by a vast array of expansion packs, cemented its legacy as a pinnacle of the series and a testament to Maxis's continued excellence in crafting immersive and infinitely replayable simulation experiences that empower players to truly "play with life."
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The Sims™ 2 Legacy Collection (2025)
The Sims™ 2 Legacy Collection (2025) resurrects the iconic life simulation for modern Windows 10/11 systems, offering the most complete experience of this beloved classic. In The Sims 2, players direct their Sims over an entire lifetime, shaping their characteristics and guiding their destinies across generations. You set their life goals—be it popularity, fortune, family, romance, or knowledge—and navigate their journeys from successful existences to chaotic shambles, experiencing everything from alien abductions to ghost sightings. This definitive collection not only includes The Sims 2 base game but also encompasses every single expansion pack, from University to Apartment Life, and all accompanying stuff packs, such as Holiday Party Pack and Mansion & Garden Stuff, delivering the full breadth of content. As an added treat, it also features The Sims 4: Grunge Revival Kit. The Sims 2 rightfully earns its place among the "Best games by Maxis" due to its groundbreaking innovations and enduring impact on the simulation genre. Building significantly upon its predecessor, The Sims 2 introduced the revolutionary concept of generational gameplay and genetics, allowing players to truly craft intergenerational sagas and observe traits passing down through families. The robust Aspiration and Wants & Fears systems provided unparalleled depth to Sim personalities, making them feel more alive and giving players intricate storytelling tools. Maxis' meticulous design fostered emergent gameplay, where every decision had consequences, and unexpected events frequently arose. Its vibrant 3D world, detailed character customization, and the sheer volume of engaging content across its many expansions set a new standard for life simulation, cementing its legacy as a masterpiece of design and a testament to Maxis' pioneering spirit in creating immersive, player-driven experiences.
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The Sims™ Legacy Collection (2025)
The Sims™ Legacy Collection (2025) reintroduces "the original game you know and love," fully optimized for Windows 10/11. This comprehensive collection invites players to create an entire neighborhood of Sims and wield ultimate control over their lives. Guide them as they pursue careers, make friends, and find romance – or simply unleash chaos and watch their carefully constructed worlds unfold. With open-ended gameplay, you have the freedom to set your own goals and chart your Sims’ destinies, making every decision and outcome entirely yours. The Legacy Collection includes the foundational *The Sims* base game, the *The Sims 4 Throwback Fit Kit*, and all seven beloved expansion packs: *Livin’ Large*, *House Party*, *Hot Date*, *Vacation*, *Unleashed*, *Superstar*, and *Makin’ Magic*, offering the complete first-generation experience. This collection unequivocally belongs on any "Best games by Maxis" list, as *The Sims* is a monumental achievement that redefined the simulation genre and became a cornerstone of Maxis's legendary portfolio. Developed by Maxis and the brainchild of Will Wright, *The Sims* revolutionized gaming by shifting focus from city management to the intricate lives of individuals, offering an unprecedented level of player-driven narrative and creativity. Its innovative blend of life simulation, accessible mechanics, and profound player agency captivated a global audience, leading it to become one of the best-selling PC games of all time. *The Sims* not only spawned a multi-billion-dollar franchise but also cemented Maxis's reputation for developing groundbreaking, thought-provoking, and endlessly replayable titles that transcend traditional gaming, offering a unique sandbox for exploring human nature and social dynamics.
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SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited (2024)
**SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited (2024)** SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited (2024) presents the definitive edition of the iconic city-building simulator, empowering you to create and control your urban empire with unparalleled depth. This modern re-release bundles all the beloved features of the original SimCity 3000 with a wealth of new content, truly living up to its 'Unlimited' title. Expand your metropolis with distinct architectural styles from two new building sets inspired by Asia and Europe, offering hundreds of options and over 95 world landmarks to beautify your city. Tackle 13 challenging scenarios, including reunifying East and West Berlin, or unleash your creativity with the SimCity Scenario Creator and the Building Architect Plus tool to design unique structures. But be prepared, as new threats lurk, with 4 additional disasters like an unforgiving whirlpool and plummeting space junk, pushing your mayoral skills to their absolute limits. SimCity 3000 Unlimited rightfully earns its place among the 'Best games by Maxis' due to its significant contributions to the city-building genre and its role in solidifying Maxis' reputation as a pioneer in simulation games. Building upon the strong foundations of its predecessors, SimCity 3000 refined the core gameplay loop, introducing more intricate city services, realistic public opinion, and a deeper economic simulation that challenged players to balance growth with citizen happiness. The 'Unlimited' expansion further elevated this experience, offering an incredible amount of content that expanded the creative possibilities and replayability without sacrificing the strategic depth. Its detailed isometric graphics, intuitive interface, and expansive sandbox nature, coupled with engaging scenarios and robust customisation tools, made it a benchmark for urban planning simulators that continues to influence modern city-builders and captivate players decades after its initial release.
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