Game Statistics

• Complex city systems.
• Many variables included (location of houses, schools, hospitals and police stations).
• 2 game save files.
• 4-Megabit Cartridge.

Game Design
Like most "Sim" games, you must simulate something. In this case you are simulating a city. You must create a city and keep your inhabitances happy. The three basic sections of the city are the commercial, residential, and industrial complexes. Other features include stadiums, airports, and expositions. You have many maps to choose from to build your city on. The fact that there are only 2 saves is unfortunate. An incredible amount of factors are included that generate the happiness of your inhabitance. Houses may become slums if they are near industry and houses may become super "top" buildings if located near commercial and not too far from industry. There are so many factors; you will have to figure them out as you go along in order to please the public. Other times you might have to build Police stations in certain areas to prevent crime, and... well, the factors are, well, ...endless. Overall, the game design must have been quite tedious to but together, but the end result is a complex city building masterpiece.

Graphics
The graphics in Sim City are not exactly top quality. Some of the graphics do not line up well with the shores of the water, and makes the game look unreal and fake. The animation is quite bad. There are cheesy cartoons, boats, and airplanes. Personally I have never seen an airplane do a 360 on a dime in mid air, or a street car do a 90 degree turn while hitting a building, and without damaging it. The fire is also nothing to be proud of. The fire can only go on one block, and looks rather cheesy in the middle of a building (it erases the building and has one fire flame in the place of it).

Sound
The music can get rather irritating. The music is pretty much static throughout the game. The sound effects are not too bad, although they get rather annoying and repetitive after a while. The sound is adequate for the game and still contributes to the game play, however, more time should have been spent in this department.

Control
The control is rather good. You have a cursor comparable to mouse for most of the menus. The interface and the controls are fine and they give you no trouble while navigating through them. One thing really sticks out though. That is the loading time for the maps while in the new game menu. It can be quite a wait just to see a potential map you may use. Overall, the controls are well adapted for the game play.

Satisfaction
Despite what may seem like a harsh review, the game is actually quite enjoyable. You can play for hours just watching and hoping your population increases so you can get some more tax money. You will often find yourself out of money until the next year ends. Like other "Sim" games, Sim City can be quite addictive. Unfortunately, time passes kind of slow (even on the fast mode), so I usually leave the game on before I go to sleep. That way in the morning you got lots of cash from tax revenue. This game is quite good; however, there are many more advanced Sim City games this day and age.

Replay Value/Game Length
The game has no real end, which is unfortunate. However you may fill up your entire map with your city and be kind of stuck for what to do next. The game lasts for as long as you are still interested in it. You may be playing for a while because you will get addicted. But like most all games, you will get bored eventually.

Overall
Sim City for SNES is a fun and addictive game. I suggest it would be worth picking it up if you see it at a garage sale, but if you are going to buy it new, I suggest one of the newer versions of Sim City for the PC.

Review by Xander

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