AsThe Sims 4continues down the live-service path, players can expect a number of new updates, paid DLCs, and features over the next few years. Even with thepossibility ofProject Renecoming down the pipeline,The Sims 4will probably continue to evolve for the foreseeable future, as this sort of steady change is what the live-service model allows for.
There may be new competitors coming onto the scene, butThe Sims 4remains the predominant life-simulation experience. The prestige and near-ubiquitous brand recognition of the long-runningSimsfranchise is certainly a factor when it comes to compelling players to engage withThe Sims 4, and its shift to the free-to-play model allows the game to have a broader reach than ever. Perceived shortcomings of the game are relevant and important to point out, but it is nevertheless a staple in modern, cozy gaming culture, and it’s about time that EA and Maxis take the next logical step in making it even more accessible.
The Sims 4 Needs to Come to the Nintendo Switch in 2025
The Sims 4’s Absence On the Switch Is Odd
Nintendo’s hybrid console is arguably the leading platform when it comes to the so-called ‘cozy’ gaming experiences offered in bothproprietary games likeAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsand third-party hits likeStardew Valley. The micromanaging structure of these games' gameplay loops, coupled with their focus on customization and low-stakes scenarios, make them a natural fit for a handheld, as players can easily hop in for just a few minutes, whether at home or on the move, and take care of their in-game tasks. Indeed, it is often the preferred console for such cozy or life-simulation games, even when a player has access to other platforms.
So it’s strange thatthe Switch has never gotten a port ofThe Sims 4. Of course, it’s possible that the comparatively underpowered Nintendo console would struggle withThe Sims 4which, despite its modest graphical offerings, can wind up being quite taxing on a system’s hardware, especially as players introduce new elements like additional Simoleons and grand structures, not to mention everything that comes withThe Sims 4’s myriad expansions. Still, it’s probable that Switch players would accept a lower-spec version ofThe Sims 4, greatly expanding the game’s install base and influence.
Gaming audiences would no doubt leap at the chance to play Maxis' leading life sim on Nintendo’s handheld, even if it means missing out on PC-exclusivecontent likeThe Sims 4mods.
If The Sims 4 Skips the Switch, It Should Come to the Switch 2
Speculation continues to aboundabout the Nintendo Switch 2 successor, which is assumed to be a much more powerful version of Nintendo’s existing handheld. Many rumors have suggested that this new console will hit the market either next year or in 2026, and its increased power would serve as a natural opening for some version ofThe Sims 4, which can already run on fairly modest laptops like Macbooks, which aren’t designed with gaming in mind.
If this were to happen, thenThe Sims 4could sit comfortably among the Switch’s library of cozy, casual gaming experiences, likely even establishing dominance over them. Although it’s not difficult to runThe Sims 4on a computer or even on last-gen consoles, there’s a significant demographic of players who game exclusively on the Switch, which undoubtedly overlaps withThe Sims 4’s target demographic at many points. With new lifesim competitors likeInZOIcoming onto the scenein the near future, Maxis and EA should seriously consider expandingThe Sims 4’s reach by putting it on one or both of Nintendo’s systems, where it would be a natural fit.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you can meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
