The Sims Double Deluxe (Windows)

THE SIMS DOUBLE DELUXE is one game with three facets. The first is the original The Sims, which allows you to create and control the lives of little people in your computer. The other two -- Livin' Large and House Party -- expand the number of items and actions your characters can manipulate in their virtual world. Players can design their own character or family, build and furnish a home, then put their creations into "live mode" where they make friends, build a career -- and try to meet their basic needs, from taking a shower and making dinner to getting enough love and comfort.

Picking out outfits, your home and sofa are great fun, but there's lots of work in keeping the household running smoothly -- and there are dire consequences: Ignore the wife, and your relationship deteriorates; don't get enough sleep, you'll miss work (and eventually get fired); and if you aren't an attentive parent, your baby will get taken away.

The game takes awhile to get started, but once you've established yourself and your relationships (and accumulated some wealth) it becomes easier and more fun to play -- sort of like real life. It's quite addictive, and you'll be amazed how many hours of your real life have gone by while you installed new bathroom tile, barbecued, shot hoops, and gave backrubs to the neighbors in your suburban Sims world.

The House Party and Livin' Large expansion packs included here increase the activities your Sims can engage in, and introduce a broader range of luxury items they can acquire. Impress your neighbors with a rocking backyard party -- complete with DJ and caterer -- or wow them with your retro designer furniture. But be careful; some of the new items contain secrets or curses that can dramatically upset your doppelgangers' lives.