Which game has the best soundtrack?

I didn't play the first two and only a little of the third. I don't love all the music in 4, and I actively dislike some of it, but most of it doesn't set my teeth on edge, unlike almost every sample I've ever heard from any of the older games. :grimace:

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...

I just turn the music off in game and put the sound down generally. It gets annoying after a while.

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.

it was such a close call between urbz and sims 1 in my heart maybe because those styles are somewhat missing in ts4

But in ideal world:

Build/Buy:
Sims 1

its calm and has that oldey shopping feel that I love

CAS:
Sims 2

Its interestingly funky
and makes you feel like creating fun stories and families

Neighborhood/Loading Screens:
Urbz/ Medieval/Castaway etc.
(depending on world)

its thematic and makes you feel like exploring a new world

be it a cool city, fun beach or full on middle ages out there

Radio:
All games cause why not

I feel sims4 soundtrack is good but its just a little... plain and ordinary i guess needs some new vibes

sims 3 was always my least favourite
(i don't know its just bit... stress inducing but maybe that just me)

but if i had to pick best part of it maybe the radio stations

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.

Sims 3 base game map view music/pets ep loading screen and main menu music
Sims 2 loading music and cas/build buy

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