SimCity

Overview

SimCity (also known as the retronyms Micropolis or SimCity Classic) is a city-building simulation video game developed by Will Wright, and released for several platforms from 1989 to 1991. SimCity features two-dimensional graphics and an overhead perspective. The game's objective is to create a city, develop residential and industrial areas, build infrastructure, and collect taxes for further city development. Importance is placed on increasing the population's standard of living, maintaining a balance between the different sectors, and monitoring the region's environmental situations to prevent the settlement from declining and going bankrupt.

SimCity was independently developed by Will Wright, beginning in 1985; the game was not released until 1989. Because the game lacked any arcade or action elements that dominated the video game market in the 1980s, video game publishers declined to release the title for fear of its commercial failure until Broderbund eventually agreed to distribute it. Although the game initially sold poorly, positive feedback from the gaming press boosted its sales. After becoming a best-seller, SimCity was released on several other platforms, most notably on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1991. Its gameplay was significantly revised with Nintendo's involvement.

SimCity is regarded as one of the most influential video games of all time, marking the beginning of the urban simulation genre. It was met with critical acclaim for its innovative and addictive gameplay despite the absence of traditional action elements, with reviewers describing it as instructive and beneficial to players’ understanding of urban planning, politics, and economics. SimCity sold 500,000 units on home computers and 1.98 million units on the SNES, and received numerous awards from news publishers and industry associations. The game’s success also established publisher Maxis’ tradition of producing non-linear simulation games, one of which, The Sims, would surpass all its predecessors in popularity and become one of the best-selling franchises in the video game industry.

Official trailer

JP TV Commercial. Watch on YouTube

Gameplay

SimCity (SNES) Playthrough - NintendoComplete, NintendoComplete. Watch on YouTube

Screenshots

Game details

Genres

Simulator

Developer

Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development

Publisher

St. GIGA, Nintendo

Series

SimCity

Platforms

Super Nintendo, Wii

Age rating

ESRB E

Modes

Single player

Yes

Local multiplayer

No

Online multiplayer

No

Co op

No

Age ratings

PEGI

3

ESRB

E

CERO

A

Release dates

Editions

Check out the store

Space and patches

Update patchNo patch

DLC

No DLC. Super Nintendo games had no downloadable content.

Playable today

Playable offline todayYes

Single player only, with no online features. The cartridge runs on any Super Nintendo.

Online

Plays offlineYes

Reception

Critics

Outlet	Score	Scale
Electronic Gaming Monthly	30	40
Famitsu	33	40
Mega Fun	94	100

Staff and cast

Staff

Role	Name
Original game	Maxis
Original designer	Will Wright
Publisher (Super Nintendo version)	Nintendo
Composer (Super Nintendo version)	Soyo Oka

Notes for collectors

• Nintendo made its own version of Maxis's city builder, with an adviser, Dr. Wright, modelled on Will Wright.
• Bowser replaces the original game's monster disaster, and a city of 500,000 earns a Mario statue.
• Has two scenarios found only in this version, including Las Vegas under alien attack.
• Sold over a million copies and joined the Player's Choice line.

Credits

Publisher

Nintendo

Developer

Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development

Released

1991-08-23

Age rating

ESRB E

Region

US