Which game has the best soundtrack?

Good question...

I have played The Sims games for so long that when you play a build/buy mode, CAS, or neighborhood music, I can tell which game it's from (well, unless it's MySims or Urbz...). There is always something common in each music track in each game.

I'll try to explain it as best as I could. As I don't have musical knowledge, I can't describe it professionally. Thus here's how I would explain it.

The Sims 1 uses more of usual instruments like piano. We have an upbeat buy mode that makes me want to buy, somber build mode that makes me want to scream out crying and makes me feel guilty remodelling my sims' house, The main neighborhood theme has a jazzy thing going... Well, the interesting thing about the neighborhood screen is that the music that plays depends on the region. So you have The Sims main theme playing in US versions and jazzy themes going on in other versions.

Fun fact: Some The Sims 1 music has been remixed in The Sims Bustin' Out for GBA.

The Sims 2 uses more of electronic editing, especially those themes in NightLife expansion packs. Gives me a lot of retro vibes... Though I prefer the music from other games over this as when I build, I can get something normal, or something really booming, perhaps too much, or something really boring, I'm looking at you, "Makeover" from NightLife.

The Sims 3 music gives me cartoony vibes. As I use a lot of Create a World, I haven't heard these a lot. But still, these are still the most iconic for me, mostly because when I hear a music from The Sims in ads or TV, it's usually from The Sims 3. Some videos even get copyright claims due to them using a music from The Sims 3.

Ok, I briefly mention The Sims Medieval with its medieval music. It's a nice change...

The Sims 4 music... I like that it changes depending on what you're doing. Additionally, The Sims 4 build mode, CAS, and world map music that comes from add-ons are different. Compare base game build mode music and Vampires build mode music and they are so different. Though lately, especially in Cottage Living, I've begun seeing lack of... originality.
But still, I like The Sims 4 music the most due to it being pleasant and it does not cause your videos to get a copyright claim (I hope at least).

So that's how I feel about music in The Sims games...

The sims medieval has the best music. My favourite song is the Jacoban church music. Whenever I play that game, I’ll send my sims to the church every day just so I can listen to it.

The music is just so iconic. I recognize it immediately every time I hear it. The others aren't bad, but they haven't stuck with me quite as much.

I like listening to Sims 1 music when I'm doing work. I'd say for neighborhood, build mode, and buy mode, Sims 1 takes the cake. Mid-20th century Americana in buy mode, fun bossa nova and other tunes in neighborhood, and INCREDIBLE piano tracks for build (I used to go into build mode before buy mode just so I could listen to it while furnishing).

Sims 2 is a close second, but the vibe is almost a complete opposite from Sims 1 imo (which is interesting because the two games are very close together in tone and feel). I LOVE the radio music, except for salsa because well ?it's so early 2000s and funky.

Sims 3 (base game) is very standout. It feels so... bubbly? It's difficult to explain the exact feeling, even though it was my first sims game. I adore the World Adventures soundtrack, France for borrowing from Makin Magic, China has some great high-energy pieces, and Egypt has some of my favorite tracks from the expansion

Sims 4 music is fine. No nostalgia to it and I don't find myself ever having the urge to listen to it outside of game, but it's not muteworthy; it's actually perfectly pretty and relaxing. Just doesn't stand out as the others do.

@Logicallyironic I only hate sims 2 salsa because its always the first station of radio turned on, theyd always blast music at 3am ??

Sims 1: it's not even close. That piano is hypnotic. Love the Bossa Nova theme

The sims 1, a nostalgia-driven choice.
Still in my heart, still in my head and I sometimes search *intentionally* for the soundtrack on youtube and use it as a background music. So many hours of my youth spent wisely before that old, bulky, square monitor screen... *sigh*
I like that they inclued the music from the first game on the retro radio station in Sims 4. It's a nice touch.

Oh gosh I can still remember Sims 1 Vacation soundtrack haha. I also hope they add the old music to the game one day

Sims 1 had some nice tracks for sure, but I hate that after you install the latest expansion pack, you lose the music from the previous expansion. And generally The Sims 2 had the least amount of annoying tracks, imo.

@StrawberryYogurt (probably shoulda worded that part better) I meant that I love all the radio stations for being 2000s and funky, but I don't love salsa because without mods its what always plays (and it's pretty annoying after 15 years) xD