The Sims 4 continues to be one of the all-time most popular social simulation games, with over 70 million players as of this year. If you’re already one of those many players, you likely already know which version of The Sims 4 is best for you. However, if you’re just getting into the franchise and want to pick up the latest entry, you might wonder whether to pick up the Standard or the Digital Deluxe Edition. Both versions of the game contain the same basic Sims experience fans know and love, but there are some key differences in terms of content. Considering that the base game experience of The Sims 4 is now free-to-play as of October 2022, the Digital Deluxe Edition offers fans a ton of additional content to justify the price.
The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe vs Standard: Side by Side Comparison
The biggest difference between the Standard and Digital Deluxe editions of The Sims 4 is the content included in each. Check out the table below to see what players can expect in each version of the game:
| Content | The Sims 4 Standard | The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | ✅ | ✅ |
| “Life of the Party” pack | ✅ | |
| “Awesome Animal Hats” pack | ✅ | |
| “Up All Night” pack | ✅ | |
| The Sims 4 Soundtrack | ✅ |
Each of the packs that the Digital Deluxe Edition includes each contain their own set of items for players to use with their Sims.
Life of the Party Pack
Create-A-Sim Clothing & Accessories
- Big Hat of Shame
- Glitter and Abs
- Shine On Men’s Suit
- Star-Spangled Glasses
Build/Buy Mode Furniture
- Flaming Tiki Bar
Drinks for Aspiring Bartenders
- Flaming Zesty Salt
- Hot and Smoky
- Sea of Fire
Awesome Animal Hats Pack
Create-A-Sim Accessories
- Angry Lion Hat
- Dazed Bear Hat
- Energized Owl Hat
- Flirty Cow Hat
- Hysterical Tiger Hat
- Inspired Chicken Hat
- Sad Panda Hat
Up All Night Pack
Create-A-Sim Clothing & Accessories
- Cappy the Clown Cap
- Confetti the Clown Costume
- Grim Reaper Hood
- Grim Reaper Costume
- Hot Diggity Dog Hat
- Hot Diggity Dog Costume
- Just Clownin’ Clown Shoes
- Happy Clown Facepaint
- Swallowtail Tux
- Take the Plunge Formal Dress
- Why the Sad Facepaint?
Build/Buy Mode Furniture
- Anti-Balloon Balloons
- Let There Be Light! Laser Show
- Sitting Pretty White Chairs
- Stream Me Up Party Decorations
- White All Night Dining Tables
- Yin and Yang Circular Rug
Food and Drink Items
- Black and White Cookies
- Black and White Cake
- Buffalo Wing Tea
- Hamburger Cake
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp Cocktail
- Taco Casserole
- White and Black Cake
- Zebra Fizz
The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe vs Standard: 5 Things to Know
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing between the Standard and Digital Deluxe editions of the game:
- As of October, 2022, the Standard edition is free-to-play and can be downloaded at no cost to the player.
- The content available as part of the Digital Deluxe edition is primarily for the Create-A-Sim mode and does not affect the general gameplay.
- The Digital Deluxe edition comes with a ton of bonus content, but all of these items can be purchased separately even if downloading the Standard edition.
- Players can always download the Standard edition and purchase the Deluxe upgrade at a later date to get all of the included content in the Digital Deluxe edition.
- Whether purchasing the Standard or Deluxe editions, players will have the same access to all of the new content for The Sims 4, including the recently released Horse Ranch expansion.
The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe vs Standard: Create-A-Sim Differences
One of the more popular modes in The Sims is Create-A-Sim, which allows players to craft their own unique Sims to use in the gameplay. This mode is identical across all versions of The Sims 4, so whether purchasing the Digital Deluxe or downloading the free-to-play Standard edition, you’ll have access to it either way. One important thing to consider is that the Digital Deluxe contains a multitude of clothing and accessories for use in Create-A-Sim mode. If you think you might want to spend some time crafting your ideal virtual inhabitants, the cost of entry for the Digital Deluxe edition might be worth it.
The Sims 4 Digital Deluxe vs Standard: Player Functionality
The bottom line concerning the differences between the different editions of The Sims 4 is that they all contain the same base game. Whether players download the free-to-play Standard edition or spend money on the Digital Deluxe, they’re still playing the same experience. The biggest difference is that of content, meaning there are no gameplay-affecting differences between versions. Still, the free-to-play Standard edition is supported by microtransactions and DLC. Essentially, players can download the Standard edition if they are on the fence about whether they’ll enjoy The Sims 4. After getting some hands-on time with the game, players can download literally thousands of items for Create-A-Sim or Build/Buy modes if they like. The benefit to the Digital Deluxe edition is that several of these items come included as part of the price of entry.