Editing SimCity (1989 video game)

{{Short description|1989 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = SimCity
| image = SimCity Classic cover art.jpg
| caption = 1990 North American box art, depicting a jukebox with a picture of a city being hit by the "Tornado" disaster. The initial 1989 release of the game featured the "Monster" disaster on the jukebox which was changed over the unauthorized usage of the [[Godzilla]]-esque monster.
| developer = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Maxis]]}}|<br />[[Superior Software]] (Acorn versions)<br />[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]]/[[Intelligent Systems]]<ref name="Works">{{cite web|url=https://www.intsys.co.jp/works/games/|title=ゲーム |publisher=Intelligent Systems|access-date=2024-08-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203030415/https://www.intsys.co.jp/works/games/|archive-date=2019-02-03}}</ref> (Super NES version)<br />[[Babaroga (game company)|Babaroga]] (Mobile Version)}}
| publisher = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|Maxis}}|<br />[[Infogrames]] (Europe)<br />[[Acornsoft]] (Acorn Archimedes version)<br />[[Fujitsu]] (FM Towns)<br />[[Nintendo]] (Super NES version)<br />[[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] (Enhanced CD Multimedia edition)}}
| designer = [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]
| series = ''[[SimCity]]''
| platforms = [[Acorn Archimedes|Archimedes]], [[Acorn Electron|Electron]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Atari ST]], [[BBC Micro]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Amiga CDTV|CDTV]], [[DESQview]], [[MS-DOS]], [[EPOC (computing)|EPOC32]], [[FM Towns]], [[iOS]], [[J2ME]], [[Linux]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[MSX]], [[OLPC XO-1]], [[IBM OS/2|OS/2]], [[NEC PC-8801|PC-88]], [[NEC PC-9801|PC-98]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Unix]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[X68000]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
| released = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{nobold|February 1989}}
| '''Mac OS, Amiga, MS-DOS'''{{Video game release|NA|February 1989<ref name="medium.com"/>|EU|September 1989 (Amiga)<ref name="ACE">{{cite magazine |last1=Lacey |first1=Eugene |title=Screentest - Simcity |journal=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]] |date=September 1989 |issue=24 |pages=66–67 |url=https://archive.org/details/ACE_Issue_24_1989-09_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n65/mode/2up |publisher=[[EMAP]] |quote=Amiga: £TBA Out Now}}</ref>}}
'''Commodore 64'''{{Video game release|NA|August 1989}}
'''IBM PC'''{{Video game release|NA|October 1989}}
'''FM Towns'''{{Video game release|JP|March 1990}}
'''PC DOS'''{{Video game release|NA|April 9, 1990}}
'''ZX-Spectrum'''{{Video game release|EU|August 1990}}
'''Amstrad CPC'''{{Video game release|EU|January 1991}}
'''SNES'''{{Video game release|JP|April 26, 1991|NA|August 23, 1991|EU|September 24, 1992}}
'''Wii Virtual Console'''{{Video game release|NA|November 19, 2006}}
'''iOS'''{{Video game release|NA|December 18, 2008}}
}}
| genre = [[City-building game|City-building]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''SimCity''''' (also known as the [[retronyms]] '''''Micropolis''''' or '''''SimCity Classic''''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simcity.com/en_US/product/simcity-classic|title=SimCity Classic|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403150258/http://www.simcity.com/en_US/product/simcity-classic|archive-date=April 3, 2014}}</ref> is a [[city-building game|city-building]] [[Construction and management simulation games|simulation]] video game developed by [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]], and released for several platforms from 1989 to 1991. ''SimCity'' features two-dimensional graphics and an overhead perspective. The game's objective is to create a [[city]], develop residential and industrial areas, build [[infrastructure]], and collect [[tax]]es for further [[city]] development. Importance is placed on increasing the [[population]]'s standard of living, maintaining a balance between the different sectors, and monitoring the region's environmental situations to prevent the settlement from declining and going bankrupt.

''SimCity'' was independently developed by [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]], beginning in 1985; the game was not released until 1989.<ref name="medium.com">{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/re-form/simcity-that-i-used-to-know-d5d8c49e3e1d |title=SimCity That I Used to Know |access-date=October 20, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020134144/https://medium.com/re-form/simcity-that-i-used-to-know-d5d8c49e3e1d |archive-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.ign.com/cheats/games/simcity-1989-mac-9054 |title = IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724142155/http://www.ign.com/cheats/games/simcity-1989-mac-9054 |archive-date=24 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Because the game lacked any arcade or action elements that dominated the video game market in the 1980s, video game publishers declined to release the title for fear of its commercial failure until [[Broderbund]] eventually agreed to distribute it. Although the game initially sold poorly, positive feedback from the gaming press boosted its sales. After becoming a best-seller, ''SimCity'' was released on several other platforms, most notably on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES) in 1991. Its gameplay was significantly revised with [[Nintendo]]'s involvement.

''SimCity'' sold 500,000 units for home computers and 1.98 million units for the SNES. The game was met with critical acclaim for its innovative and addictive gameplay despite the absence of action elements. Reviewers considered the game instructive and helpful toward the player's understanding of urban planning, politics, and economics. ''SimCity'' received numerous awards from news publishers and associations. The success of ''SimCity'' marked the beginning of the urban simulation genre of video games, as well as publisher [[Maxis]]' tradition of producing non-linear simulation games, one of which – [[The Sims (video game)|''The Sims'']] – would surpass all its predecessors in popularity and become one of the best-selling franchises in the video game industry.

==Gameplay==
The core concept of ''SimCity'' is to build and design a city without specific goals to achieve. The player may divide land into commercial, industrial, or residential [[Zoning|zones]], add buildings, change the tax rate, build a power grid, build transportation systems and take any other actions to enhance the city. Once able to construct buildings in a particular area, the too-small-to-see residents, known as "Sims",<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wright|first=Will|author2=Joffe, B. |title=SimCity: thematic mapping+city management simulation=an entertaining, interactive gaming tool|journal=GIS/LIS '89 Proceedings. Annual Conference|date=November 1989|volume=2|pages=591–600|publisher=American Congress on Surveying and Mapping; American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing|location=Orlando, FL, USA}}</ref> may choose to construct and upgrade houses, apartment blocks, light, heavy industrial buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, churches, and other structures. The Sims make these choices based on such factors as traffic levels, availability of electrical power, crime levels, and proximity to other types of buildings—for example, residential areas next to a [[power plant]] will seldom appreciate the highest grade of housing.<ref>[http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/ealbert_2001_1.pdf "SimCity Classic: History and Review"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203447/http://www.stanford.edu/group/htgg/cgi-bin/drupal/sites/default/files2/ealbert_2001_1.pdf |date=June 28, 2011}}, Eric Albert, February 2001. Fetched from URL March 15, 2011.</ref> In the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]] version and later, the player can also build rewards when they are given, such as the [[mansion|mayor's mansion]] or a [[casino]].

The player may face [[disaster]]s including floods, [[tornado]]es, fires (often from [[Aviation accidents and incidents|air disasters]] or [[shipwreck]]s), [[earthquake]]s and [[Godzilla|monster]] attacks. In addition, monsters and tornadoes can trigger [[train wreck|train crashes]] by running into passing trains.

===Scenarios===
SimCity features goal-oriented, time-limited scenarios that are contingent on the player's performance and could result in either a win or a loss. The implementation of scenarios was suggested by Broderbund, as a means of transforming SimCity into a more traditional game format. This addition was intended to enhance the overall experience for players, by introducing clearly defined objectives and increasing the level of challenge in the game.<ref name = "CGW59">{{citation |date=May 1989 |last=Wilson |first=Johnny L. |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |title=What Do The "Sim"ple Folk Do? |pages=16–17 |issue=59}}</ref> In SimCity, the initial cities were modeled after real-world cities and endeavored to replicate their general layout. Although the majority of scenarios featured in the game exist within a fictional timeline or involve a city besieged by an imaginary catastrophe, a select few are based on genuine historical events. This incorporation of actual historical events adds a unique layer of realism to the game and enables players to engage with significant moments in history in a novel way.

==Development==
[[File:Micropolis - big city.png|left|thumb|A large developed city in ''Micropolis'' version (2007)]]
''SimCity'' was developed by [[game designer]] [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]]. While working on the game ''[[Raid on Bungeling Bay]]'', in which the player flies a helicopter dropping bombs on islands, Wright found he enjoyed designing the islands in the [[level editor]] rather than playing the actual game.<ref name="Keighley">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/maxis/index.html |title=SIMply Divine |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=June 7, 2008 |first=Geoff |last=Keighley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204115211/http://www.gamespot.com/features/maxis/index.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This led him to develop increasingly sophisticated level editors.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=75 Power Players|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|date=November 1995|page=54}}</ref> At the same time, Wright was cultivating a love of the intricacies and theories of urban planning<ref>{{cite web|title=Inside Scoop – The History of SimCity |url=http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc_retrospective.php |publisher=Electronic Arts Inc |access-date=March 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710162034/http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc_retrospective.php |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and acknowledges the influence of [[System Dynamics]] which was developed by [[Jay Wright Forrester]] and whose book on the subject<ref>{{cite book|last=Forrester|first=Jay W.|title=Urban dynamics|year=1969|publisher=MIT|location=Cambridge, Mass.|isbn=0-262-06026-4}}</ref> laid the foundations for what would become ''SimCity''.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Birkhauser|location=Basel|isbn=978-3-7643-8415-9|editor1=Friedrich Borries |editor2=Steffen P. Walz |editor3=Matthias Böttger |editor3-link=Matthias Böttger |contribution=Playing with Urban Life|author=Lobo, Daniel G|title=10.1007/978-3-7643-8415-9_74 |date=2011 |doi=10.1007/978-3-7643-8415-9_74}}</ref> In addition, Wright also was inspired by reading "The Seventh Sally", a short story from ''[[The Cyberiad]]'' by [[Stanisław Lem]], in which an engineer encounters a deposed tyrant, and creates a miniature city with artificial citizens for the tyrant to oppress.<ref name="NY Times Archive">{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4D71F3AF936A25755C0A96F948260 |title=Making City Planning a Game |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=May 18, 2007 |first=Julie |last=Lew |date=June 15, 1989 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013085818/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4D71F3AF936A25755C0A96F948260 |archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref> The game reflected Wright's approval of mass transit and disapproval of nuclear power; [[Maxis]] president Jeff Braun stated "We're pushing political agendas".<ref name="rivenburg19921002">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-02-vw-391-story.html |title=Only a Game? : Will your town thrive or perish? The fate of millions is in your hands. Or so it seems. It's your turn in SimCity. |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 2, 1992 |access-date=July 4, 2014 |author=Rivenburg, Roy |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406185839/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-02-vw-391-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The first version of the game was developed for the [[Commodore 64]] in 1985; it was not published for another four years.<ref name="SimCity.com (history)">{{cite web|url=http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc_retrospective02.php |title=Inside scoop: The History of SimCity (page two) |work=SimCity.com |access-date=December 17, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312093210/http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc_retrospective02.php |archive-date=March 12, 2009}}</ref> The original working title of ''SimCity'' was ''Micropolis''.<ref name="Will Smith. Chat Transcript">{{cite web|url=http://simcity.ea.com/community/events/will_wright_01_08_04.php |title=Will Wright Chat Transcript |work=simcity.ea.com |access-date=November 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031231900/http://simcity.ea.com/community/events/will_wright_01_08_04.php |archive-date=October 31, 2009}}</ref> The game was unusual in that it could neither be won or lost; as a result, [[video game publisher|game publishers]] did not believe it was possible to market and sell such a game successfully. [[Broderbund]] declined to publish the title when Wright proposed it, and he pitched it to a range of major game publishers without success. Finally, Braun, founder of the tiny software company Maxis, agreed to publish ''SimCity'' as one of two initial games for the company.<ref name="Keighley"/>

Wright and Braun returned to Broderbund to formally clear the rights to the game in 1988, when ''SimCity'' was near completion. After Broderbund executives Gary Carlston and [[Don Daglow]] saw ''SimCity'', they signed Maxis to a distribution deal for both of its initial games. With that, four years after initial development, ''SimCity'' was released for the [[Amiga]] and [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]] platforms, followed by the [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]] and [[Commodore 64]] later in 1989.<ref name="SimCity.com (history)"/>

==Ports and versions==
[[File:SimCity-Indigo.gif|right|thumb|Multiplayer mode on the [[SGI Indigo]] workstation]]
After the original release on the [[Amiga]] and [[Classic Mac OS|Macintosh]], the game was released on the [[Commodore 64]] and [[IBM PC compatibles]], and afterward saw more releases for computers and [[video game console]]s:  [[Atari ST]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[BBC Micro]], [[Acorn Electron]],<ref name="microuser199102_simcity">{{ cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/micro-user-096/page/20/mode/1up | title=Sim City... a major triumph? | magazine=Micro User | last1=Revis | first1=Jon | date=February 1991 | access-date=28 April 2024 | pages=20 }}</ref> [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[EPOC (computing)|EPOC32]], mobile phone, Internet, [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[FM Towns|FM-Towns]], [[OLPC XO-1]] and News HyperLook on Sun [[Unix]]. The game is available as a multiplayer version for [[X Window System|X11]] [[Tcl]]/[[Tk (computing)|Tk]] on various [[Unix]], [[Linux]], [[DESQview]] and [[IBM OS/2|OS/2]] operating systems.

Shortly after the game's initial release, Maxis released the SimCity Terrain Editor for the original versions of the game, which was sold as a mail-order add-on in [[North America]] but gained a standalone retail release in [[Europe]]. The Terrain Editor is a simple tool that allows the user to create maps with forest, land, and water portions. In 1990, Maxis developed two 'Graphics Sets' packs for the MS-DOS and Amiga versions: "Ancient Cities" and "Future Cities". Each pack contained themed sets which changed the graphics and messages in the game to fit certain themes.

In 1991, an enhanced version of the game was released for Windows 3.0/3.1. It runs in the Windows GDI with new sounds and music, either PC-Speaker type or digital/MIDI type. In 1992, to coincide with other re-releases of their games, Maxis re-released the Windows version of SimCity as "SimCity Classic", which bundled the game with the MS-DOS version of the Terrain Editor. The Graphics Sets were also reissued to run on Windows 3.1 as well. ''SimCity Classic'' was re-released in 1993 as part of the ''SimClassics Volume 1'' compilation alongside ''[[SimAnt]]'' and ''[[SimLife]]'' for PC, Mac and Amiga.<ref>{{cite magazine|title = SimClassics Volume 1 Compilation Advertisement|date = August 1994|url = https://archive.org/details/theone-magazine-70/page/n115|magazine = The One|publisher = emap Images|issue = 70|page = 116}}</ref> In 1995, a [[Windows 95]] compatible version of the game titled "SimCity Deluxe CD-ROM" was released, which included new 256-color graphics and sound, and bundled the Graphics Sets and an updated Terrain Editor together with the base game.

In 1994, [[Interplay Productions]] developed and published under license from Maxis a version of the game titled "SimCity Enhanced CD-ROM" for DOS, which included 256 color graphics and FMV movies that would trigger events.

===Super NES===
{{anchor|Super NES variation}}
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) followed a mid-1989 call to Maxis co-founder Jeff Braun from [[Nintendo]] expressing interest in porting the game, as Nintendo developer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] was very interested in how the game allowed the player to create their own world. Braun flew to Nintendo of America's headquarters to meet with chairman [[Howard Lincoln]] and president [[Minoru Arakawa]]. They offered Braun to do all the porting to the Super NES, paying Maxis $1 for every copy sold, and offering Braun a $1 million check for accepting the deal on the spot, which Braun accepted. During this development time, Miyamoto would work alongside Wright to develop means to bring the game to the console.<ref name="pc gamer snes" >{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/in-1989-a-nintendo-bigwig-licensed-simcity-on-the-spot-by-sliding-a-million-dollar-check-across-the-table/ | title=In 1989, a Nintendo bigwig licensed SimCity on the spot by sliding a million dollar check across the table | website=PC Gamer | date=June 16, 2024 }}</ref>

''SimCity'' for the Super NES features the same gameplay and scenario features; however, since it was developed and published by [[Nintendo]], the company incorporated their own ideas. Instead of the Godzilla monster disaster, [[Bowser]] of the [[Super Mario (series)|''Super Mario'' series]] becomes the attacking monster, and once the city reaches a landmark 500,000 populace, the player receives a [[Mario]] statue that can be placed in the city. The Super NES port also features special buildings the player may receive as rewards, such as casinos, large parks, amusement parks, and expo centers; some of which would be incorporated into ''[[SimCity 2000]]''. A bank can be built which will allow a loan of $10,000 to be taken, but it must be paid back before another loan can be taken out. The game includes schools and hospitals, though they cannot be placed by the player; instead, the game will sometimes turn an empty residential lot into one. There are city classifications, such as becoming a metropolis of 100,000 people. It has some of the same pre-set scenarios in the PC and Mac versions and two new ones. One is in Las Vegas under attack by aliens and another is called Freeland. Freeland has no water, and no rewards for buildings are given. Also unique to the Super NES version is a character named "Dr. Wright" (whose physical appearance is based on Will Wright) who acts as an adviser to the player. Dr. Wright was inspired by Miyamoto, at time known to fans as "Dr. Miyamoto", and Nintendo had come to recognize the value of cartoonist mascots for games, leading to Dr. Wright's creation.<ref name="pc gamer snes" /> The soundtrack was composed by Soyo Oka. The edition is featured as Nintendo's [[Player's Choice]] as a million-seller.

In August 1996, a version of the game entitled ''BS SimCity Machizukuri Taikai'' was broadcast to Japanese players via the Super Famicom's [[Satellaview]] subsystem. Later, a sequel titled ''[[SimCity 64]]'' was released for the [[64DD]], the Japan-only [[Nintendo 64]] add-on.

According to Chaim Gingold, a former Maxis employee, he believes that the time Wright spent with Miyamoto helped to influence the direction of ''SimCity 2000''.<ref name="pc gamer snes" />

===Cancelled NES version===
[[File:NES SimCity.png|thumb|right|Gameplay screenshot from the unreleased Nintendo Entertainment System version of ''SimCity'']]

A version for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) was announced alongside the Super NES version and had been showcased at the 1991 [[Consumer Electronics Show]], but the NES version was never properly released. However, prototype cartridges for the NES version were discovered in 2018, and one copy was obtained by [[video game preservationist]] [[Frank Cifaldi]], who extensively documented its features compared to the original personal computer game and the Super NES version.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/lost-nes-version-of-simcity-emerges-after-27-years-1831308462 | title = Lost NES Version Of SimCity Emerges After 27 Years | first = Jason | last = Schreier | date = December 25, 2018 | access-date = January 4, 2019 | work = [[Kotaku]] | archive-date = January 5, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200901/https://kotaku.com/lost-nes-version-of-simcity-emerges-after-27-years-1831308462 | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://gamehistory.org/simcity/ | title = Recovering Nintendo's Lost SimCity for the NES | first = Frank | last = Cifaldi | date = December 25, 2018 | access-date = January 4, 2019 | work = [[The Video Game History Foundation]] | archive-date = January 7, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190107003111/https://gamehistory.org/simcity/ | url-status = live}}</ref> It featured a completely different soundtrack (also composed by Oka) from that of the Super NES version;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kuchera |first1=Ben |title=Unearthed SimCity NES prototype includes beautiful, unheard score by Super Mario Kart composer |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/26/18156491/simcity-nes-music-mario-kart-pilotwings-soyo-oka-listen |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=July 1, 2019 |date=December 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701191334/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/26/18156491/simcity-nes-music-mario-kart-pilotwings-soyo-oka-listen |url-status=live}}</ref> besides ''Metropolis Theme'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Game Music :: Interview with Soyo Oka (March 2011) |url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/soyooka.shtml |website=Square Enix Music Online |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403035226/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/soyooka.shtml |archive-date=April 3, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> a composition that Oka herself considers one of her best works.<ref>{{cite web |title=RocketBaby's interview w/Soyo Oka |url=https://www.rocketbaby.net/interviews_soyo_oka.html |website=RocketBaby.net |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010305022924/http://rocketbaby.net/interviews_soyo_oka.html |archive-date=March 5, 2001 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Micropolis''===

In January 2008, the ''SimCity'' [[source code]] was released as [[free software]] under the [[GNU General Public License|GPL-3.0-or-later]] license,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weblogs.asp.net/bsimser/archive/2008/01/10/simcity-source-code-released-to-the-wild-let-the-ports-begin.aspx |title=SimCity Source Code Released to the Wild! Let the ports begin |date=January 10, 2008 |publisher=Weblogs.asp.net |access-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510093537/http://weblogs.asp.net/bsimser/archive/2008/01/10/simcity-source-code-released-to-the-wild-let-the-ports-begin.aspx |archive-date=May 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olpcnews.com/content/games/simcity_on_the_olpc_xo.html |title=SimCity on the OLPC XO! |publisher=Olpcnews.com |access-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830001540/http://www.olpcnews.com/content/games/simcity_on_the_olpc_xo.html |archive-date=August 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/games-aim-good |title=Games Aim For Good – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |date=March 7, 2007 |access-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905082952/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/games-aim-good |archive-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref> renamed to ''Micropolis'' (the original working title) for trademark reasons, and developed by [[Don Hopkins]]. The release of the source code was motivated by the [[One Laptop Per Child]] program. The ''Micropolis'' source code has been translated to [[C++]], integrated with [[Python (programming language)|Python]] and interfaced with both [[GTK+]] and [[OpenLaszlo]].<ref name="Micropolis source code">{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/micropolis/ |title=micropolis – Micropolis City Simulator – Google Project Hosting |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822044044/http://code.google.com/p/micropolis/ |archive-date=August 22, 2011}}</ref>

In 2008, [[Maxis]] established an online browser-based version of ''SimCity''.<ref>[http://simcity.ea.com/play/simcity_classic.php Game website for SimCity Classic – requires registration] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317030621/http://simcity.ea.com/play/simcity_classic.php |date=March 17, 2011}}</ref> A second browser-based version was later released under the name ''Micropolis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://micropolisonline.com/ |title=Micropolis Online |access-date=November 12, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203081337/http://micropolisonline.com/ |archive-date=February 3, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, a browser-based version was released, ported using [[JavaScript]] and [[HTML5]], as ''micropolisJS''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://graememcc.github.io/micropolisJS |title=MicropolisJS |access-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509154755/http://graememcc.github.io/micropolisJS/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015}}</ref>
  
Since ''Micropolis'' is licensed under the GPL-3.0-or-later, users can do anything they want with it that conforms with the GPL-3.0-or-later{{spaced ndash}}the only restriction is that they cannot call it "SimCity" (along with a few other limitations to protect EA's trademarks).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/micropolis/wiki/License |title=License – micropolis – Micropolis GPL License Notice and additional terms per GNU GPL Section 7. – Micropolis City Simulator – Google Project Hosting |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511162524/http://code.google.com/p/micropolis/wiki/License |archive-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref> This allows other, differently named projects to be forked from the Micropolis source code. Improvements to the open-source code base that merit EA's approval may be incorporated into the official "OLPC SimCity" source code, to be distributed with the OLPC under the trademarked name ''OLPC SimCity'', but only after it has been reviewed and approved by EA.<ref name="donhopkins1">{{cite web |first=Don |last=Hopkins |url=http://www.donhopkins.com/drupal/node/131 |title=History and Future of OLPC SimCity / Micropolis |publisher=Don Hopkins |date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=February 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927114252/http://www.donhopkins.com/drupal/node/131 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Comparison of different versions===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin-right:0; clear:both; font-size:85%;"
|+ Detailed information about ports of ''SimCity Classic''
|-
! scope="col" | Platform
! scope="col" | Version – Release date
! scope="col" | Comments
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Amiga
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|NA|February 1989}}
| Alongside ''SimCity'' for the Macintosh, this was the first commercially released version of ''SimCity''. It ran on any Amiga with at least 512 kilobytes of memory and was distributed on a single [[floppy disk]].<ref name="Amiga HOL entry">{{cite web|url=http://hol.abime.net/1928/boxscan |title=''Sim City'' (Amiga version) |work=Hall Of Light |access-date=May 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503083854/http://hol.abime.net/1928/boxscan |archive-date=May 3, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| V.2.0
| This version has been enhanced with the ability to switch tilesets. A tileset consists of all the images the game uses to draw the city, and by changing the tileset one can give the city a different look and feel. The graphics support up to 64 colors in [[Amiga Halfbrite mode|Extra Halfbrite mode]]. 
Because of this new functionality, SimCity 2 requires at least 1MB of memory, twice that of the original version.
|-
! scope="row" | Amiga CDTV
| {{vgrelease|EU|1991}}<ref name="HOL entry CDTV">{{cite web|url=http://hol.abime.net/1931 |title=''Sim City'' (CDTV version) |work=Hall Of Light |access-date=November 5, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208023347/http://hol.abime.net/1931 |archive-date=February 8, 2006}}</ref>
| To make the game more pleasant to play when viewed on a distant television, this version of the game shows a closer view of the city. Other changes include a user interface more suited for use from the CDTV's remote control, use [[CD-DA]] for music, and the addition of three scenarios.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}
|-
! scope="row" | Amstrad CPC
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|EU|1990}} Sim City Amstrad CPC
|-
! scope="row" | Atari ST
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|EU|July 1990}} Sim City Atari ST
| This version features scenarios but has no music and the game's graphics are less colorful than the graphics of the Amiga version 2.0.<ref name="AtariLegend">{{cite web |url=http://www.atarilegend.com/reviews/reviews_games.php?game_id=442&review_id=28&PHPSESSID=695ab9347d751771f68e89e269db4cb6 |title=''Sim City'' (Atari ST version) |work=Atari Legend |access-date=June 6, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220071448/http://www.atarilegend.com/reviews/reviews_games.php?game_id=442&review_id=28&PHPSESSID=695ab9347d751771f68e89e269db4cb6 |archive-date=December 20, 2007}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | BBC Micro <br />Acorn Electron
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|UK|1990}}
| This version lacks music, many sound effects, most animation and has limited colour palettes, but has most of the features of the Amiga version, in spite of having to run in 25KB of memory.<ref name="microuser199103_simcity">{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/micro-user-097/page/n26/mode/1up | title=Success in Sim City | magazine=Micro User | publisher=Database Publications | last1=Scott | first1=Peter | date=March 1991 | access-date=28 April 2024 | pages=27–28 }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | Commodore 64
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|NA|1989}}
| This version lacks police/fire stations, stadiums and railways. Disasters are limited to earthquakes. It also forgoes the stat screen useful for evaluating the city's development. The player can select between eight scenarios or on randomly generated terrain.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Macintosh
| V.1.0 – {{vgrelease|NA|February 1989}}
| Released in two versions: monochrome and color. Copy-protection 'red-sheet' with symbols that is queried at game start. Repackaged edition released in 1991 with the cover printed on the game box (without sleeve over the box).
|-
| V.1.1 {{vgrelease|NA|1989}}
| Copy protection removed.
|-
|Macintosh - Classic – {{vgrelease|NA|1996}}
| Windows and Macintosh CD-ROM version released as part of Collector's series. Supports System 6.0.2 and System 7.
|-
! rowspan="5" scope="row" | PC
| MS-DOS – 1.00 ~ 1.07 {{vgrelease|NA|1989}}
| Features EGA color graphics in both low-resolution 320x200 and high-resolution 640x350, as well as monochrome EGA 640x350, CGA 640x200, and Hercules 720x348.  v1.07 added MCGA 640x480 mono.  Limited sound effects through the PC speaker, Tandy DAC, or rare [[Covox]] SoundMaster.  Has a copy-protection 'red-sheet' with symbols that is queried at game start. Capable of running on an IBM PC 5150 with 512KB RAM and ONE 5-1/4" floppy drive (no hard drive required).
|-
| MS-DOS - Classic – v2.00 {{vgrelease|NA|1992}}
| Re-released for MS-DOS as version 2.00. Copyright protection was removed and added support for VGA 640x480 in color, and a special VGA/MCGA 320x200 in 256 color mode.  Dropped Covox sound support and added standard SoundBlaster digital sound and MIDI background music.  Terrain Editor is now integrated right into the main program interface, and can switch back and forth with a single key-stroke.
Addons: New standalone Terrain Editor for DOS and 6 graphics sets.
|-
|Windows - Classic –{{vgrelease|NA|1992}}
|Released for Windows 3.1 with new sounds and music, either PC-Speaker type or digital/MIDI type.  The interface has floating toolbars, and bookmarks to save positions of note in the city to return to later.  The PC Speaker sounds and music are quite innovative, the music is based on a Bach violin solo.  The simulator engine appears to have a few subtle differences, such as hi-value residential zones that stay as small houses in the DOS versions, when loaded into the Windows version instantly turn into hi-value hi-rises.
Terrain Editor for DOS included.  Addons are the 6 graphics sets.
|-
|Enhanced CD-ROM – 
(Interplay){{vgrelease|NA|1994}}
|Released by [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] for [[DOS]], it featured 256-color graphics, new music and sound effects and added FMV movie cutscenes and news reports.
|-
| Deluxe CD-ROM –
(Maxis) {{vgrelease|NA|1995}}
| SimCity Deluxe CD-ROM - Re-released in 1995 for Windows 95 with new 256-color graphics and sound, all 6 graphics sets, and new Terrain Editor.  Works in Win XP and Win 7.  
|-
! scope="row" | Super NES
| {{vgrelease|JP|April 26, 1991|NA|August 1991|EU|September 24, 1992}}
| Developed and Published by Nintendo under license by Maxis, the Super NES version of ''SimCity'' had additional features not found in the original ''SimCity'', including graphics changing to match the seasons (trees are green in summer, turn rusty brown in the fall, white in the winter, and bloom as cherry blossoms in the spring), civic reward buildings, and a very energetic green-haired city advisor named Dr. Wright (after Will Wright), who would often pop up and inform the player of problems with their city. In addition, the Super NES version of ''SimCity'' had two additional bonus scenarios, accessible when the original scenarios were completed: Las Vegas and Freeland (see the section on scenarios). The style of the buildings also resembles those in Japan rather than those of North America.

A [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] port was also planned but was cancelled.

Nintendo also put their stamp on the game, with a dangerous disaster being [[Bowser]] attack on a city (in place of a generic movie-type monster), and a [[Mario]] statue awarded once the megalopolis level of 500,000 inhabitants is reached.

The Super NES version of ''SimCity'' has been released for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service (No longer available as of January 2, 2013).
|-
! scope="row" | ZX Spectrum
| V.1.0 – 1989
| Has all the features (such as scenarios, crime, and disasters) of later versions of the game, but with much more limited sound and graphics.<ref name="simcityZX">{{Cite FTP | url = ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/games-info/s/SimCity.txt | server = SimCity.txt on the original game disk | url-status = dead | title = ''Sim City'' (ZX version) | access-date = June 6, 2007}}</ref>
|}

* ''SimCity Classic'' is available for [[Palm OS]] and on the SimCity.com website as ''Classic Live''. It was also released by Atelier Software for the [[Psion 5]] handheld computer, and mobile phones in 2006.<ref name="Mobile phone port">{{cite web |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Sim+City+Mobile/review.asp?c=1804 |title=''SimCity'' (mobile phone version) review |work=Pocket Gamer |access-date=November 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129191818/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Mobile/Sim%2BCity%2BMobile/review.asp?c=1804 |archive-date=November 29, 2006}}</ref>
* The July 2005 issue of ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' stated that a development cartridge of ''SimCity'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] was found at Nintendo headquarters. Never released, it is reportedly the only one in existence.
* Additionally a terrain editor and architecture disks were available with tileset graphics for settings of Ancient Asia, Medieval, Wild West, Future Europe, Future USA and a Moon Colony.
* Versions of ''SimCity'' for the [[BBC Micro]], [[Acorn Electron]], and [[Acorn Archimedes]] computers were published by [[Superior Software]]/[[Acornsoft]]. Programmer Peter Scott had to squeeze the 512k Amiga version of the game into 25&nbsp;KB to run on the aging 32&nbsp;KB [[BBC Micro]] and [[Acorn Electron]]. Despite this, it kept almost all of the functionality of the Amiga game and very similar graphics (although only using four colors).<ref name="microuser199103_simcity"/>
* DUX Software published a [[Unix]] version of ''SimCity'' for the NeWS window system using the HyperLook user interface environment, and a multiplayer version of ''SimCity'' for the [[X Window System|X11]] window system using the [[Tcl]]/[[Tk (computing)|Tk]] user interface toolkit, both developed and ported to various platforms by [[Don Hopkins]].

==Reception==
{{Cleanup|section|date=March 2017|reason=No list of professional scores and accolades poorly organized}}
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{Rating|5|5}} (PC)<ref>{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Brad |title=SimCity (PC) - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=24895&tab=review |publisher=AllGame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114225401/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=24895&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref><br />{{Rating|4.5|5}} ({{nowrap|Macintosh}})<ref>{{cite web |last=Savignano |first=Lisa Karen |title=SimCity (Mac) - Review|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7102&tab=review |publisher=AllGame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114225400/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7102&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref>
| MM = 94% (SNES)<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=[[Julian Rignall]]|author2=Richard Leadbetter|url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_10_1991-07_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n81/mode/2up|title=SimCity|magazine=[[Mean Machines]]|issue=10|date=July 1991|pages=82–83|access-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref>
}}
''SimCity'' was a financial success, selling one million copies by late 1992, including 500,000 for home computers and another 500,000 for the SNES.{{r|rivenburg19921002}} In the United States, it was the ninth best-selling computer game from 1993 to 1999, with another 830,000 units sold.<ref name=wargames>{{cite book | author=Dunnigan, James F. | author-link=Jim Dunnigan | date=January 3, 2000 | title=Wargames Handbook, Third Edition: How to Play and Design Commercial and Professional Wargames | publisher=[[iUniverse|Writers Club Press]] |pages=14–17}}</ref> The SNES version sold 1.98 million units worldwide,<ref name="whitepaper">{{cite book |title=2021CESAゲーム白書 (2021 CESA Games White Papers)|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]|year=2021|isbn=978-4-902346-43-5}}</ref> including 900,000 units in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game Search |url=https://sites.google.com/site/gamedatalibrary/ |website=Game Data Library |publisher=[[Famitsu]] |access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref> It was critically acclaimed and received significant recognition within a year after its initial release. As of December 1990, the game was reported to have won the following awards:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"|
* Critics' Choice: Best Consumer Program, 1989, Software Publisher's Association.
* Most Innovative Publisher, 1989, Computer Game Developer's Conference.
* Member of the 1989 Game Hall of Fame, ''[[Macworld]]''.
* Game of the Year, 1989., ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''.<ref name = "CGW2">{{citation | date = October 1989 | magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]] | title = Game of the Year Awards | page = 42}}</ref>
* Fourth Best Simulation of All Time for Amiga, ''[[.info (magazine)|.info]]''.
* Editors' Choice Award: Best Simulation, 1989, Compute.<!-- Apparently, all this may not be properly copied from the source. Please clarify -->
* Editors' Choice Award: Best Recreation Program, 1989, ''[[MacUser]]''.
* Best Curricular Program, [[Software and Information Industry Association#CODiE Awards|Codie award]].<ref name="SimCity-CodieAward">{{cite web |title=SIIA Codie Awards |url=https://www.siia.net/codie/About-the-Awards/Past-Winners/1990-Winners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220114711/https://www.siia.net/codie/About-the-Awards/Past-Winners/1990-Winners |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}</ref>
* Best Consumer Program, [[Critic's Choice Award]].<ref name="SimCity-CodieAward" />
| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"|
* Best Computer Strategy Game, 1989, ''[[Video Games & Computer Entertainment]]''.
* Best Game Designer of the Year: Will Wright, for ''SimCity'', 1989, ''[[Computer Entertainer]]''.
* Best 20th Century Computer Game, 1989, [[Charles S. Roberts Award]].
* Software Award of Excellence, 1990–1991, ''Technology and Learning''.
* Best Educational Program, 1990, European Computer Leisure Award.
* Tilt D'Or (Golden Award): Most Original Game, 1989, ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]'' (France).
* Game of the Year, 1989, Amiga Annual (Australia).
* World Class Award, 1990, ''[[Macworld Australia]]''.
* 4th best game of all time, [[Amiga Power]].<ref>Amiga Power magazine issue 0, [[Future Publishing]], May 1991.</ref>
|}

In addition, ''SimCity'' won the [[Origins Award]] for "Best Military or Strategy Computer Game" of 1989 in 1990,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1989|title=Origins Award Winners (1989)|publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design|access-date=October 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105015044/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1989 <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=November 5, 2007}}</ref> was named to ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Hall of Fame for games readers highly rated over time,<ref name="cgw199110">{{cite news|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=87 |title=On Silvery Disks of Splendor |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=October 1991 |access-date=November 18, 2013 |pages=112 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224200/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=87 |archive-date=December 2, 2013}}</ref> and the multiplayer [[X Window System|X11]] version of the game was also nominated in 1992 as the Best Product of the Year in ''Unix World''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} ''[[Macworld]]'' named the Macintosh version of ''SimCity'' the Best Simulation Game of 1989, putting it into the Macintosh Game Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1 = Levy|first1 = Steven|last2 = Mello|first2 = Adrian|title = The Game Hall of Fame|date = December 1989|url = https://archive.org/details/MacWorld_8912_December_1989/page/n167|magazine = Macworld|publisher = Mac Publishing|pages = 162–167}}</ref> ''Macworld'', in their review, praised its graphics as well as its strategic gameplay, calling it "A challenging, dynamic game, realistic and unpredictable", and notes how "as the population grows the city's needs change."<ref>{{cite magazine|last = McCandless|first = Janet|title = SimCity Review|date = November 1989|url = https://archive.org/details/MacWorld_8911_November_1989/page/n249|magazine = MacWorld|publisher = Mac Publishing|page = 231}}</ref> ''SimCity'' was named No. 4 "Ten Greatest PC Game Ever" by [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] in 2009.<ref name="pc_world">{{cite magazine|last=Edwards |first=Benj |title=The Ten Greatest PC Games Ever |magazine=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] |date=February 8, 2009 |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/158850/the_ten_greatest_pc_games_ever.html?tk=nl_bex_h_reviews |access-date=January 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606054702/http://www.pcworld.com/article/158850/the_ten_greatest_pc_games_ever.html?tk=nl_bex_h_reviews |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> It was named one of the sixteen most influential games in history at Telespiel, a German technology and games trade show, in 2007.<ref name=gsw_top16>{{cite web|last=Plunkett |first=Luke |title=German Journos Pick Their Most Important Games Of All Time |publisher=Kotaku |date=August 27, 2007 |url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/notag/german-journos-pick-their-most-important-games-of-all-time-293565.php |access-date=June 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420195406/http://kotaku.com/gaming/notag/german-journos-pick-their-most-important-games-of-all-time-293565.php |archive-date=April 20, 2010}}</ref> [[Sid Meier]] in 2008 named ''SimCity'' as one of the three most important innovations in videogame history, as it led to other games that encouraged players to create, not destroy.<ref name="arendt20080304">{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/03/sid-meier-names/ |title=Civilization Creator Lists Three Most Important Innovations in Gaming |magazine=Wired |date=March 4, 2008 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |author=Arendt, Susan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200336/http://www.wired.com/2008/03/sid-meier-names/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> It was named No. 11 on [[IGN]]'s 2009 "Top 25 PC Games of All Time" list.<ref name=ign_top25_2009>{{cite web|title=The Top 25 PC Games of All Time |website=IGN |date=August 6, 2009 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/101/1011624p1.html |access-date=January 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305060206/http://pc.ign.com/articles/101/1011624p1.html |archive-date=March 5, 2010}}</ref> In 1996, ''Computer Gaming World'' declared ''SimCity'' the 6th-best computer game ever released.<ref name=cgw150>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | title=150 Best (and 50 Worst) Games of All Time | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | date=November 1996 | issue=148 | pages=63–65, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 88, 90, 94, 98}}</ref> In 2018, [[Complex Networks|Complex]] rated SimCity 50th on its "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time."<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|access-date=2022-02-04|website=Complex|archive-date=January 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116111038/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995, [[Total!]] listed SimCity 89th on their "Top 100 SNES Games."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=July 1995|title=Top 100 SNES Games|url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n47/mode/2up|magazine=Total!|issue=43|pages=48|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref> IGN ranked the game 35th in its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time."<ref>{{Citation |title=Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-snes-games |access-date=2022-09-04 |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123081606/http://www.ign.com/top/snes-games/31 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Mike Siggins reviewed ''SimCity'' for ''[[Games International]]'' magazine, and gave it 5 stars out of 5, and stated that "Overall, ''SimCity'' must be ranked right up there in the all-time Amiga classics. It is the first title that I have come across to turn a 'serious' theme into a passable simulation while also making for an excellent game."<ref name="gi11">{{cite journal | last = Siggins |first = Mike | title =Computer Games | journal = [[Games International]] | issue = 11 | pages =48–49 |date=December 1989}}</ref> ''[[Macworld]]'' called ''SimCity'' "an intricate and intriguing game".<ref name="macworld">{{cite magazine |last1=McCandless |first1=Janet |title=Reviews - Simcity |journal=[[Macworld]] |date=November 1989 |page=231 |publisher=[[International Data Group]]}}</ref>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the game a B+.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url = https://ew.com/article/1991/09/27/latest-video-games/|title = The latest video games|magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date = September 9, 2018|archive-date = June 5, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160605192824/http://www.ew.com/article/1991/09/27/latest-video-games|url-status = live}}</ref>

Johnny L. Wilson reviewed the game for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', and stated that "Dynamic is exactly the right word for this product. There is constant strategy involved in the placement of zones, road building, political decision-making, and damage control."<ref name="CGW59"/>

In 1991, ''[[PC Format]]'' named ''SimCity'' one of the 50 best computer games ever. The editors called it "a town planner's dream".<ref name=pcformat50>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[PC Format]] | title=The 50 best games EVER! |date=October 1991 | issue=1 | pages=109–111}}</ref>

The [[University of Southern California]] and [[University of Arizona]] used ''SimCity'' in urban planning and political science classes. [[Chuck Moss]] of ''[[The Detroit News]]'' found that Godzilla attacking the city in the 1972 Detroit scenario caused less destruction than the mayoralty of [[Coleman Young]].<ref name="rivenburg19921002"/> In 1990 ''[[The Providence Journal]]'' invited five candidates for [[Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island]] to manage a ''SimCity'' town resembling the city. [[Victoria Lederberg]] blamed her close loss in the Democratic primary on the newspaper's description of her poor performance in the game; former mayor [[Buddy Cianci]], the most successful player, won the election that year.<ref name="koebler20150508">{{Cite web |title=The Real Mayors of 'SimCity' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-real-mayors-of-simcity/ |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=May 8, 2015 |website=Vice |access-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520122153/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ezv7wp/the-real-mayors-of-simcity |url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''SimCity Terrain Editor'' was reviewed in 1989 in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' No. 147 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the expansion 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon147">{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers
|author=Lesser, Hartley|author2=Lesser, Patricia|author3=Lesser, Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=147 |date=July 1989 |pages=76–83}}</ref>

The ZX Spectrum version was voted number 4 in the ''[[Your Sinclair]] Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time''.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time|journal=Your Sinclair|date=September 1993}}</ref>

In 2004, ''SimCity'' was inducted into [[GameSpot]]'s list of the greatest games of all time.<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-32.html|title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''SimCity''|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002234527/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-32.html | archive-date=October 2, 2007}}</ref>

On March 12, 2007, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that ''SimCity'' was named to a list of the ten most important video games of all time, the so-called [[game canon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/arts/design/12vide.html?ex=1331352000&en=380fc9bb18694da5&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Is That Just Some Game? No, It's a Cultural Artifact |newspaper=[[nytimes.com]] |first=HEATHER |last=CHAPLIN |date=March 12, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004173158/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/arts/design/12vide.html?ex=1331352000&en=380fc9bb18694da5&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref> The [[Library of Congress]] took up a video game preservation proposal and began with the games from this list, including ''SimCity''.<ref name="Joystiq">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/ |title=10 most important video games of all time, as judged by 2 designers, 2 academics, and 1 lowly blogger |last=Ransom-Wiley |first=James |publisher=[[Joystiq]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422035847/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/12/10-most-important-video-games-of-all-time-as-judged-by-2-design/ |archive-date=April 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.loc.gov/digitalpreservation/2012/09/yes-the-library-of-congress-has-video-games-an-interview-with-david-gibson/ |title=Yes, The Library of Congress Has Video Games: An Interview with David Gibson |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=January 18, 2013 |publisher=blogs.loc.gov |first=Trevor |last=Owens |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331234239/http://blogs.loc.gov/digitalpreservation/2012/09/yes-the-library-of-congress-has-video-games-an-interview-with-david-gibson/ |archive-date=March 31, 2014}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{Main|SimCity|List of Sim video games}}

''SimCity'' yielded several sequels. "Sim" games of many types were developed{{spaced ndash}}with Will Wright and Maxis developing myriad titles including ''[[SimEarth]]'', ''[[SimFarm]]'', ''[[SimTown]]'', ''[[Streets of SimCity]]'', ''[[SimCopter]]'', ''[[SimAnt]]'', ''[[SimLife]]'', ''[[SimIsle: Missions in the Rainforest|SimIsle]]'', ''[[SimTower]]'', ''[[SimPark]]'', ''[[SimSafari]]'', and ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]'', which spawned [[The Sims|its own series]], as well as the unreleased ''[[SimsVille]]'' and ''[[SimMars]].'' They also obtained licenses for some titles developed in Japan, such as ''[[SimTower]]'' and ''Let's Take The A-Train'' (released as ''[[A-Train]]'' outside Japan). ''[[Spore (2008 video game)|Spore]]'', released in 2008, was originally going to be titled "''SimEverything''"{{spaced ndash}}a name that [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] thought might accurately describe what he was trying to achieve.

''SimCity'' inspired a new genre of video games. "[[Software toy]]s" that were open-ended with no set objective were developed trying to duplicate ''SimCity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s success. The most successful was Wright's own ''[[The Sims]]'', which went on to be the best selling computer game of all time. The ideas pioneered in ''SimCity'' have been incorporated into real-world applications as well, as urban developers have recognized that the game's design was "gamification" of city planning by integrating numerous real-world systems for a city or region interacted to project growth or change. For example, [[VisitorVille]] simulates a city based on website statistics. Several real-world city improvement projects started with models inspired by ''SimCity'' prior to implementation, particularly with the onset of more connected [[smart city|smart cities]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/13/simcity-legacy-smarter-cities-when-urban-planners-play-for-keeps | title = SimCity legacy: smarter cities when urban planners play for keeps | first = Tony | last = Yoo | date = July 12, 2016 | access-date = May 12, 2020 | work = [[The Guardian]] | archive-date = June 2, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200602194936/https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/13/simcity-legacy-smarter-cities-when-urban-planners-play-for-keeps | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-simcity-inspired-urban-planners-20190305-story.html | title = Must Reads: From video game to day job: How 'SimCity' inspired a generation of city planners | first = Jessica | last = Roy | date = March 5, 2019 | access-date = May 12, 2020 | work = [[The Los Angeles Times]] | archive-date = May 13, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200513061721/https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-simcity-inspired-urban-planners-20190305-story.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

The series also spawned a ''[[Sim City: The Card Game|SimCity]]'' [[collectible card game]], produced by [[Mayfair Games]]. [[Rick Swan]] reviewed ''SimCity: The Card Game'' for ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' magazine No. 221 (September 1995).<ref name="Dragon #221">{{cite journal| last = Swan| first = Rick| author-link = Rick Swan| title = Role-playing Reviews| journal = [[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]| issue = #221| page = 46| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]]| location = [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]]| date=September 1995}}</ref> Swan says that "While the card game doesn't scale the heights of the computer game, it comes close."<ref name="Dragon #221"/>

Dr. Wright from the Super NES version has made appearances in several video games. He is a [[non-player character]] in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening]]'', and an assist trophy in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games|Free and open-source software|Linux}}
* [[Government simulation]]
* [[Municipality|Municipal government]], the basis for ''SimCity''
* [[Urban planning]]
* [[Regional planning]]
* [[List of open source games]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.simcity.com/en_US/product/simcity-classic}}
* [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/sc/index.html Official website for the Super Famicom version]
* {{Internet Archive game|msdos_SimCity_1989|SimCity}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/simcity|name=''SimCity''}}

{{Sim series|all=yes}}

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