SimTown

The game structure of SimTown is similar to SimCity, but on a generally smaller and simplified scale, in which players are instead tasked with crafting a small town. Players are allocated a blank and flat tract of land, where they will be required to place homes, workplaces, and civic buildings. In addition, other elements such as roads and flora can be placed, although they have no practical use beyond beautification, and consume water resources.

The primary objective of SimTown is to keep the town's citizens happy. This can be achieved by ensuring that water supply, trees, farm crops, and the recycling/air quality program remain well maintained and well funded, with the allocation of "credits" given at each stint. The amount of these resources required for the town and the credits awarded will depend on how much has been built in the town. Trees and ponds, for example, may consume a certain amount of water, while most businesses and homes will generate garbage that must be dealt with using the recycling program.

SimTown was one of several Sim spin-off titles developed by Maxis made to capitalise on the success of the SimCity series, and was developed as one of two titles in a new lineup of educational software targeted to children, alongside Widget Workshop. It followed the studio taking over distribution of its titles after having previously used Broderbund and Davidson to publish and market its products. Design was led by Claire Curtin, who had previously been hired by Broderbund to tailor the design of SimCity, SimEarth and SimAnt for the education market. The game was announced and showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1994.

In its Form 10-K annual report for the fiscal year to March 1996, Maxis stated SimTown was the best-selling product in its learning products line, a category that grew from 11 to 18 per cent over the previous year.

SimTown received generally positive reviews from critics. The game was considered as accessible and educational for children, with some critics also describing it as educational and an introduction to resource management and city building game mechanics. PC Gamer viewed the game as easy to learn, featuring houses and attractions that were appealing to children and would help them express their creativity. PC Games UK found the game's interface was designed in a helpful and easy way for children to understand. However, some critics viewed elements of gameplay as cumbersome, with CD-ROM Today describing placing paths as "frustrating" and removing rubble as "tedious".