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1* CreatorBacklash: Will Wright defended the changes in ''Societies'', saying that the series had gotten far too complex, and he personally enjoyed each one less and less. The gamers who actually thought complexity was the whole point weren't satisfied with that answer, moving onto other complex city-building games that [[VindicatedByHistory didn't set the gaming world on fire, mostly due to the complexity getting too out of hand]].
2* ExecutiveMeddling: According to Wright, the publisher refused to release the original ''[=SimCity=]'' as is, because they felt players would feel the need to have a win condition. Wright appeased them by including winnable scenarios - and of course, the scenarios were the ''least'' popular feature of the game.
3* KeepCirculatingTheTapes:
4** The Windows 95 version of ''[=SimCity=] 2000'' is typically considered superior to the DOS version, but GOG and Origin only offer the DOS version for digital download. This is technically because it's much easier to get it running on modern computers (it simply requires bundling the game with UsefulNotes/DOSBox, as opposed to [[https://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SimCity_2000 reverse engineering the entire game code]]), but it's still somewhat annoying.
5** ''VideoGame/SimCity2000 Network Edition'' was a network multiplayer version of ''[=SimCity=] 2000'' that only had a limited run in 1996 due to being a commercial failure. The game has never been rereleased.
6** The Super Nintendo version of the original [=SimCity=] has fallen under this as it was pulled from the Virtual Console due to Nintendo's license contract with EA being expired.
7* KillerApp: [=SimCity=]'s SNES port was this, being a launch title that sold two million units - which is no small feat considering that it also had to contend against ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'' and ''VideoGame/FZero''. What helped it was that it was not only completely different from the original PC version, but that it was also developed and published by Creator/{{Nintendo}} themselves, with series creator Will Wright assisting them.
8* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: The DS version of ''[=SimCity=] Creator'' replaces all the advisors from the first game (excluding a cameo by Servo 3000 in game artwork) with Mr. Maxis the Sim Master, who calls himself a veteran from ''DS''... except he wasn't. Mr. Maxis is from the Japanese version of ''DS'', who made his western debut with the sequel. ''[=SimCity=] DS 2'' was released in the west under the [[MarketBasedTitle renamed title]] of ''[=SimCity=] Creator'' to tie in with the Wii release.
9* NoExportForYou: The rare ''[=SimCity=] 64''. It was released only in Japan due to it being for the Nintendo 64 Disk Drive, a failed module which died within months of being released.
10** There was also a standalone port of VideoGame/SimCity2000 for the Nintendo 64 that was only released in Japan. This was probably due to the fact that the game includes anime cutscenes and a DatingSim which appeal to a Japanese audience.
11** Averted with the SNES ''[=SimCity=]''. The original plan was for it to be Japan-only, with the west getting [[BadExportForYou a version for the NES instead]]. Ultimately, the NES version was cancelled in favor of releasing the SNES version worldwide.
12* PortOverdosed: The original 1989 game is one of the most widespread games of the era, appearing on almost every computer platform available at the time, in addition to later console/handheld and cell phone ports.
13** ''2000'' also counts, though its complexity and relatively high requirements resulted in compromises that's the root of all the issues that got it branded a PortingDisaster- specifically, being ported to systems that had even less memory or processing power than what the base game was written for.
14* RereleasedForFree: The original game has been re-released under an open-source license as ''Micropolis''.
15** Before that, there was a web version of the original [=SimCity=] titled [=SimCity=] Classic Live. It was only compatible with Netscape and Internet Explorer and it was only available on the now defunct [=SimCity=] 4 website.
16* ShoutOut: Two large high-tech industrial buildings are named [[VideoGame/EarthAndBeyond Progen and Jenquai]].
17** There's a small high-tech industry called [[VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSeries Kane Tiberium]].
18* {{Vaporware}}: The ''[=SimCity=] 3000'' CD includes a preview of [=SimMars=]. The ''[=SimCity=] 3000 Unlimited'' CD and ''The Sims: Livin' Large'' CD include a preview of ''[=SimsVille=]''.
19* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
20** The SNES version of ''[=SimCity=]'' was originally intended to be an NES game. [[https://archive.org/details/simcity-nes A near-complete prototype build]] of the NES version was dumped and released on the internet in late 2018.
21** ''[=SimCity=] 3000'' was going to be in [[http://www.gamespot.com/features/maxis/sc3k3d2.html full 3D]].
22** ''[=SimMars=]'' was going to be a game about colonizing Mars. A trailer was included on the ''[=SimCity 3000=]'' CD.
23** ''[=SimsVille=]'' was going to be a game focused on a downtown area, a feature that ended up in ''The Sims: Hot Date''.
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