The Sims Bustin' Out

The Sims Bustin' Out Description

With handheld gaming machines noticeably inferior to their 128-bit counterparts, it's not surprising that many games with an ounce of graphical achievement tend to stick to home consoles. But Nintendo's GBA hardware puts aside a few of those issues, allowing developers to bring games that were formerly PC and console-only releases to the handheld platform. One such game is Maxis' The Sims, developed by Griptonite. In the beginning, Bustin' Out charges players with the sizeable task of creating their own Sim. In a highly customisable game, players are free to change a variety of physical features. The GBA incarnation does have reduced options compared to its 3D counterparts because of limited hardware, but there are still plenty of options available. And once you've created your sim, you're free to start exploring. First of all, we should say that although Bustin' Out on GBA shares the same name as the console versions, there are a few major differences in gameplay. Firstly and perhaps most obviously, the GBA version is not a 3D game. Where GameCube and Xbox offered the Sims in full 3D, the GBA version retains the classic 2D isometric perspective that graced earlier PC games in the series. But that's really only a technicality. What is important, however, is the fact that Bustin' Out for GBA gives players direct control over their characters. Players are now able to move their Sim around as they please, and although it takes away a few of the random elements seen in previous games, this more direct approach is better suited to the handheld version. Regardless, players are still charged with fulfilling numerous tasks in order to earn money and a make living. Your options and resources are relatively limited, but fundamentally it's the same as any other game. Think of it as The Sims Lite, if you will.

True to the original The Sims games, Game Boy Advance players will create a Sim with a unique appearance and personality to control through out the game. Players will also have to satisfy the traditional eight core Sim motives including bladder, comfort, hygiene, and of course hunger.

Players begin living in a Barn and earn their way through locations in SimValley to eventually live in the coolest homes, such as a swanky Mansion on the hill. Players will be able to unlock over 20 locations such as the Biker Juice Bar and the Ultimate Dance Club on their way to success. There are eight new career paths for players to pursue including Cliff Diving Instructor to Iron Pizza Chef. If players want to get through adventures with speed, they will be able to unlock a scooter to race around SimValley. Players will meet and play with a wild cast of over 30 new characters exclusive to the Game Boy Advance such as Salty Sam and Bucky the Bull Rider. Players also can go to the pet shelter and adopt a dog or cat to keep them company. New to the Sims is a close-up social interaction screen that will allow players to have conversations with other Sims and establish friendships that will help them advance through levels and complete goals.

Unlike previous The Sims games, players will not purchase items from a catalog. Players will now collect over 150 Game Boy Advance exclusive objects such as a Punching Bag, Fishing Rod, and Boom Box. Players obtain objects by attending once-a-day auctions, going directly to stores, or by trading with other characters. Players may trade rare objects with other players by joining in each other's once-a-day auctions if connected to another Game Boy Advance with The Sims Bustin' Out.

The Sims Bustin' Out Game Boy Advance version will support connectivity with The Sims Bustin' Out Nintendo GameCube version. When connected, Game Boy Advance players will unlock a special hidden level for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube players will unlock a hidden game cabinet that will give their Sims access to mini-games that they can play on their Game Boy Advance to earn extra Simoleons. Players will also be able to download and play their Nintendo GameCube Sim in the Game Boy Advance world and obtain Simoleons, motives, and skills to bring back with them to the Nintendo GameCube version, enabling players to take their Nintendo GameCube Sim with them anywhere.