Every fan of The Sims franchise has their favorite game. For many, The Sims 2 is arguably the best of the bunch. After the outstanding success of the previous title fans were thirsty for more by the time the second entry rolled out. It proved to be a worthy sequel that is still very beloved today.
Released in 2004, The Sims 2 has eight expansion packs to its name. Across all that time and content players may feel there isn't a stone left unturned as far as easter eggs are concerned. But, as with any massive game, there are always little details that players may have missed along the way.
10 Freeing The Burglar
Getting robbed in The Sims 2 is something the player has to deal with every now and then. Investing in a burglar alarm to keep a Sim's possessions safe is always highly recommended. The police arrive on the scene in no time and will, more often than not, apprehend the thief after a short tussle.
But some players, for whatever reason, may have a change of heart. If so, it's actually possible to free the burglar after he's been placed in the back of the police car. For a few seconds the option "Open Rear Door" will be available while the officer is inside the house. The thief will be set free and thank the player for their sudden generosity. It's a small detail that some players may still be unaware of after all these years.
9 Bella Goth & The Milk Carton
The Goth family has been a regular series staple since the beginning. One member of the family, however, is conspicuously absent in The Sims 2. One of the featured storylines in the game is the disappearance of Bella Goth, with one theory purporting she was abducted by aliens.
Little clues and hints abound throughout the game regarding Bella's disappearance. One of the tougher clues to spot involves a Sim preparing a bowl of cereal. When the milk carton is placed on the counter, Bella's likeness from the Relationship Panel can be seen on the side. It's a reference to the old tactic of putting the faces of missing children on the back of milk cartons in order to help locate them.
8 Multiple Social Bunnies
In the original Sims players can often be visited by the Tragic Clown if their needs get too low. The Social Bunny from The Sims 2 is a continuation of that feature. When a Sim's Social Need drops too low, a magical rabbit will appear to try to set things right. Since it's only a figment of the imagination, only the Sim who needs the bunny will be able to see it.
However, things get interesting when multiple Sims in the same household receive a visit from the Social Bunny. Multiple rabbits can, and will, show up at the same time. They will even interact with each other. Some will even start to make out, which can be a bit... weird.
7 Death By Satellite
There are many ways to die in The Sims 2, which will inevitably herald the arrival of the Grim Reaper. One of the rarest (and perhaps most embarrassing) ways to kick the bucket involves gazing up at the sky. While cloud-gazing or star-gazing there's actually a very small chance of being hit with a falling satellite.
The death is very sudden and comes out of the blue. It's an extremely unlucky occurrence, one that is rarely seen in a playthrough. On the upside, after crushing the player's Sim to death, the satellite itself can be sold. It will net the household just under 2,000 simoleons as a sort of consolation present. Congratulations?
6 EA Sports, It's In The Game
The Sims is one of the many franchises published under the EA banner. Electronic Arts has developed as well as published a plethora of content across multiple genres. Their most recognizable brand is undoubtedly their sports games. In The Sims 2 some of those titles are actually visible.
While watching the Sports channel on TV, examples of some of EA's athletic franchises can be spotted. Instead of real-life footage, series like Madden, Fight Night, and FIFA are showcased as Sims watch TV. It's a neat addition that some players may not notice at first glance.
5 The Harry Potter Lamp
Objects available to purchase in Buy Mode are plentiful. Brands, of course, in The Sims franchise are completely fictional. Fans have no doubt recognized that many of these names are often veiled references to popular culture and other media.
One such reference is contained in a lamp that can be purchased in The Sims 2. It's called the "Prisoner of Azkalamp," an obvious nod to the Harry Potter series of novels. More specifically, it refers to the third entry, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
4 Bella Goth & The Fingerprint Scanner
Hints relating to the missing Bella Goth are everywhere in The Sims 2. Nobody knows exactly when she went missing, but clues scattered around her home in Pleasantview seem to suggest it was somewhat recent. Players can learn more by utilizing one of the many career reward objects in the game.
Sims who reach Level 6 of the Law Enforcement career can obtain the Prints Charming Fingerprint Scanner. In addition to increasing the Cleaning Skill Sims can actually scan for fingerprints on objects around the house. Doing so at the Goth residence will reveal that Bella's fingerprints are all over the house. It's a little detail that serves to fuel the mystery even further.
3 A Visit From A Polar Friend
Expansion packs in The Sims always add a breadth of new content for the player to discover. The Sims 2: Seasons added weather effects, a first for the series. Each season opens up new activities for a Sim to experience and makes it feel as if time is actually passing.
A little surprise awaits players during the winter months. During periods of heavy snowfall a Penguin may wander onto the lot. The likelihood of him stopping by is increased if there are fish nearby, which he will proceed to eat. Sims can even pet the NPC to fill up a small amount of the Social Need.
2 Whistling A Familiar Tune
Sims have a surprising amount of autonomous animations in The Sims 2. They are easy to overlook considering how much a Sim moves around. There's a subtle easter egg, however, buried in an idle animation for the more musically-minded Sims.
Sims with high enthusiasm in the Music and Dance hobby possess a few idle behaviors, one of which is whistling. Sometimes, a Sim may start to whistle a couple of musical themes from the Buy Mode contained in the original Sims. It's a little blast of nostalgia that longtime fans should recognize immediately.
1 Santa Claus Comes To Town
In addition to expansions, The Sims 2 started the trend of introducing Stuff packs. The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack added a variety of Christmas-themed objects into the game. The Santa Claus NPC was also included. He behaves similarly as he did in The Sims: Livin' Large.
Santa Claus may visit a Sim's house if a Christmas tree is purchased and a tray of cookies is left out for him. Santa will leave a present under the tree and children living in the household can even meet him. Conversely, if the cookies are spoiled or nonexistent, Santa will leave coal instead. He may even relieve himself by using the toilet, which seems a bit unnecessary at first, but the man needs to go at some point.