According to multiple reports, The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 are set to be re-released digitally on PC later this week as part of EA’s “Nostalgia Now” event celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
According to multiple reports, The Sims 1 and The Sims 2 are set to be re-released digitally on PC later this week as part of EA’s “Nostalgia Now” event celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
Yeah, I went through the hunt about 3 months ago. MANY of those fan sites are long-gone, and archive.org couldn’t save them because they put the downloads behind a login.
There were about 2 good archive locations, but both were incomplete. I got about 96% of the official stuff though.
Here’s what I got in my old local archive folder, if it helps. Let me know if I have something missing, I’ve never been on this side of this interaction!
list of files
Not entirely sure if this is complete, or if it’s even all Maxis. I have a third party mod folder backed up somewhere (and one with those old text guides, loved those) but I didn’t find it with a quick search. This folder is from 2010, so it’s not exactly period-correct. In case Windows doesn’t like these older .exes they seem to just be archives with the .far files inside, so you can rip them open. Not exactly sure why some of these are .zips and others are .exes, but the .zips only contain the .far files.
One thing that sucks is that some disk content was just permanently gated behind these downloads, and there was every possibility that you wouldn’t know these downloads existed. Specifically there were Makin Magic recipes for child-only magic stuff that used ingredients only adults could gather. So the Magic Bookshelf was mandatory to see that stuff that came on the damn disk. I’m pretty sure I was using a third party reskin of that item before looking for the original, but I could be wrong.
Good lord, .far files. Remember FARout? Those really were the days. I still like to think I’ll revisit TS1 properly someday. That was a proper game, with unapologetic personality.
Here’s the stuff I was able to find. I think I’m missing some Command & Conquer crossover stuff, as well as some celebrity NPCs. NPC_SarahMcLachlan was probably the hardest to find.
Some of these were DLC for the base game that was later added via expansion pack, but it should all be official EA/Maxis as far as I am aware:
Sims 1 DLC
BalloonArch.exe
banyantreefar.zip
BookshelfMagic.exe
cheerleader.exe
ClownCatchers.exe
ColumnFrench.exe
CuckooClock.exe
Dartboard.exe
DormBookcase.exe
DormChairLiving.exe
DormLampDesk.exe
DormPainting.exe
DormSculpture.exe
DormStereo.exe
DoubleDeluxe1.exe
doubledeluxe2.exe
doubledeluxe3.exe
execchair.zip
FunHouseTrack4x1-1003.exe
FunHouseTrackLoop-1003.exe
GardenPack.exe
GreenBedroomSet.exe
GuineaPig.exe
HolidayCookies.exe
HouseHatfield.exe
HouseJones.exe
HouseMaximus.exe
HouseSnooty.exe
HouseValentino.exe
HPPottyPack.exe
HulaLamp1.exe
HungryHamster.exe
IntelComputer_International.exe
JackOLantern.exe
McFoodCart_International.exe
Moosehead.exe
MTVSkins.exe
NPC_FreddiePrinzeJr.exe
NPC_JonBonJovi.zip
NPC_RichieSambora.zip
NPC_SarahMcLachlan.exe
PartyBalloons.exe
PartyLights.exe
PepsiMachine1.exe
PetSkinsPack1.exe
PetSkinsPack2.exe
PicnicUmbrellas.exe
PlantCarnivore.exe
Plants.exe
QueenVivRoses.exe
RenegadeSkins1.exe
RenegadeSkins2.exe
SCDrinks.exe
ShrimpCart.exe
sidmeierskin.exe
SkinPack.exe
Skin_Pack_One.exe
SlotMachine.exe
SSXSkins.exe
StairsSweepingReverse.exe
StrayAway.exe
SweepingStair.exe
TableSoccer2.exe
Topiaries.exe
Turkey.exe
TVCommercials.exe
TVSkins.exe
VacationSkins.exe
WallLightPack.exe
WhiteHouse.exe
workerdesk.zip
Ah. I was hoping I was holding on to some long-lost file, I think every one in my list is included in your list. I think the rare ones were limited-time exclusives.
If it’s not too much trouble, you should make sure there’s an up to date copy of all these files somewhere. At least the IA should have it, I’d think.
Best of luck finding the rest.