Editing SimCity 2000 (section)

==Reception==
In the United States, ''SimCity 2000'' was the ninth best-selling computer game between 1993 and 1999, selling 1.4 million units.<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> During 1996 alone, it achieved sales of 500,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/095/e3_coverage_part2.html |title=E3 Feature |website=www.cdmag.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227081329/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/095/e3_coverage_part2.html |archive-date=27 December 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to [[PC Data]], ''SimCity 2000 SE'' was the United States' 20th-best-selling computer game during the January–November 1998 period.<ref name="jannov">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901031920/http://pc.ign.com:80/news/6269.html | url=http://pc.ign.com:80/news/6269.html | title=Best Selling Games of 1998 | date=January 4, 1999 | work=[[IGN]] | author=IGN Staff | archive-date=September 1, 2000 | url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Maxis's [[Lucy Bradshaw (game developer)|Lucy Bradshaw]], ''SimCity 2000'' achieved global sales of 3.4 million units across all platforms by January 2002.<ref name="2001nyu">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | title=Markle Forum on Children and Media | author=Bradshaw, Lucy | author-link=Lucy Bradshaw (game developer) | date=January 31, 2002 | publisher=[[New York University]] | archive-date=June 19, 2004 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
| rev4 = ''[[MacUser]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=macuser>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000122070956/http://macuser.zdnet.com/mu_1295/personal/gameroom.html | url=http://macuser.zdnet.com:80/mu_1295/personal/gameroom.html | title=The Game Room | author=LeVitus, Bob | date=December 1995 | archive-date=January 22, 2000 | work=[[MacUser]] | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Allgame = {{rating|4.5|5}} (PC)<ref>{{Cite web |last=James W. Brumbaugh |title=SimCity 2000: Special Edition (PC) Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11771&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005407/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11771&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Allgame}}</ref><br />{{rating|3.5|5}} (MAC)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lisa Karen Savignano |title=SimCity 2000 (Macintosh) Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=640&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005400/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=640&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Allgame}}</ref>
}}

Comparing its improvement over the first ''SimCity'' to "watching the part in ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' where [[Technicolor|the color]] kicks in", ''[[InfoWorld]]'' in 1993 praised ''SimCity 2000'' for Macintosh as "basically the same game, but now it's the way you always wish it was when you played the first version".<ref name="corcoran19931220">{{Cite magazine |last=Corcoran |first=Cate |date=1993-12-20 |title=SimCity 2000 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 |access-date=2024-09-21 |magazine=InfoWorld |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. |page=85 |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s reviewer, an author of a book on its predecessor, wrote in 1994 that ''SimCity 2000'' for Macintosh offered "plenty of new challenges", fixed "virtually every criticism I leveled at the game" in the book, and "is without question a superior program". He concluded that it was "more fun than the original ''SimCity'' ... It's Sim-ply irresistible".<ref name="wilson199402">{{Cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Johnny L. |date=February 1994 |title=Sim-ply Irresistible: SimCity 2000 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=28–29}}</ref> The magazine said that the CD version's "multimedia enhancements make for a more accessible and enjoyable product".<ref name="cgw199407">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1994 |title=These Just In |department=Now Playing |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=120 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=154–160}}</ref>

''SimCity 2000'' was named Best Simulation at the 1994 [[Software and Information Industry Association#CODiE Awards|Codie award]]s, the fifth win in a row for Maxis.<ref name="cgw199405">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1994 |title=Software Publishing Association Picks Codie Winners |department=Read.Me |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=12}}</ref> It was a runner-up for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Strategy Game of the Year award in June 1994, losing to ''[[Master of Orion]]''. The editors wrote, "This advanced city simulator adds many of the features and considerations that were previously lacking in the original ''SimCity''."<ref name="cgw199406">{{cite magazine |title=Announcing the New Premier Awards |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=119 | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=119 |date=June 1994 |pages=51–54, 56–58 }}</ref> It was also a finalist for ''[[GamePro#PC Games|Electronic Entertainment]]''{{'}}s 1993 "Best Game" award, which ultimately went to ''[[X-Wing (video game)|X-Wing]]''.<ref name="e21993">{{cite journal | title=The First ''Electronic Entertainment'' Editors' Choice Awards | author=Staff | journal=[[GamePro#PC Games|Electronic Entertainment]] | date=March 1994 | volume=1 | number=3 | pages=61–65 }}</ref>

In 1994 ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' named ''SimCity 2000'' the 7th best computer game ever,<ref name="pcgamerustop40">{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | title=''PC Gamer'' Top 40: The Best Games of All Time |date=August 1994 | issue=3 | pages=32–42 }}</ref> and ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named it the best computer game of all time, writing, "Near perfect in conception and execution, ''SimCity 2000'' does what most games never even dream of."<ref name="pcgameruktop50">{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref> In 1996, ''Next Generation'' listed the personal computer versions as number 33 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time", calling it "easily one of the most enthralling games playable."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=Next Generation|issue=21  |date=September 1996|pages=59}}</ref> In August 2016, ''SimCity 2000'' placed 13th on [[Time (magazine)|Time]]'s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=September 19, 2016|date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]] ranked Sim City 2000 70th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=76}}</ref> In the same issue, GamesMaster rated the Sega Saturn version 10th in its "The GamesMaster Saturn Top 10".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=The GamesMaster Saturn Top 10 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=76}}</ref>

In 1995, ''SimCity 2000'' won "Best Military or Strategy Computer Game of 1994" [[Origins Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/1994 |title=Origins Award Winners (1994) |access-date=2007-09-18 |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830114223/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/1994 |archive-date=2007-08-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1998, ''[[PC Gamer]]'' declared it the 35th-best computer game ever released, and the editors called it "''lots'' of fun".<ref name="pcgtop50">{{cite journal | author=The ''PC Gamer'' Editors | title=The 50 Best Games Ever | date=October 1998 | volume=5 | number=10 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | pages=86, 87, 89, 90, 92, 98, 101, 102, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118, 125, 126, 129, 130 }}</ref>

===Console ports===
{{Video game reviews
| IGN = 7/10 (PS1)<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|title=Sim City 2000 review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/26/simcity-2000-3 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=28 October 2016 |date=November 25, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008114601/http://www.ign.com/articles/1996/11/26/simcity-2000-3 |archive-date=8 October 2016 }}</ref>
| EGM = 6.125/10 (PS1)<ref name="EGM85">{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: SimCity 2000 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=85|publisher=Ziff Davis |date=August 1996 |page=24}}</ref>
| Fam = 6/10 (SNES)<ref name="Fam358"/>
| rev1 = ''Maximum''
| rev1Score = {{rating|3|5}} (SAT)<ref name="Max2"/>
| NGen = {{rating|3|5}} (SAT, PS1)<ref name=NGen12>{{cite magazine|title=SimCity 2000 |magazine=Next Generation|issue=12|date=December 1995|pages=178, 181}}</ref><ref name="NGen23">{{cite magazine|title=SimCity 2000 |magazine=Next Generation|issue=23|date=November 1996|page=271}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev3Score = 86% (SAT)<ref name="SatMag1"/>
| Allgame = {{rating|3.5|5}} (SAT)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sutyak |first=Jonathan |title=SimCity 2000 (Sega Saturn) Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1948&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115005415/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1948&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Allgame}}</ref>
}}

''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine's Reader Cross Review gave the Super Famicom version of the game a 6 out of 10.<ref name="Fam358">読者 クロスレビュー: シムシティ2000. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.358. Pg.32. 27 October 1995.</ref> Andromeda of ''[[GamePro]]'' commented that it suffers from an awkward control interface and repetitive music, but offers more than the Super NES version of the original and is an overall worthwhile purchase for simulation fans.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Super NES ProReview: Sim City 2000|magazine=[[GamePro]] |issue=100|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=January 1997 |page=122}}</ref>

Ed Lomas of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' criticized the slow scrolling in the Saturn port but applauded the game itself for its depth, realism, and addictiveness, calling it "one of the few games that appeals to just about everyone. It ... has the strange ability to convert full-time [[arcade shooter]] fans into around the clock [[urban planner]]s with a sense of [[Civic engagement|civic duty]]."<ref name="SatMag1">{{cite magazine|last=Lomas|first=Ed|title=Review: Sim City 2000 |magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=1|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=November 1995|pages=62–63}}</ref> A reviewer for ''Maximum'' commented that the Saturn port contains all the considerable content of the PC version and is good fun to play, but has worse graphics and more slowdown than the PC version does, even when running on computers which are much less powerful than the Saturn.<ref name="Max2">{{cite magazine|title=Maximum Reviews: Sim City 2000|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1995|page=145}}</ref>

A reviewer for ''Next Generation'' said that the Saturn version "is a carbon copy of the latest installment of this city-planning simulation game, and, as such, it carries with it the monstrously addictive quality and absorbing challenge of all ''SimCity'' games." He said that the one major problem is the Saturn version's lack of mouse support.<ref name=NGen12/> ''GamePro''{{'}}s brief review said that the expanded menu "bogs {{sic|Sim City}} 2000 down a little" but that the game would still be enjoyable for fans of the series.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Quick Hits: Sim City 2000|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=91 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1996|page=89}}</ref>

The four reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' applauded the PlayStation version for including mouse support, declaring the game the [[killer app]] for the [[PlayStation Mouse]]. They criticized the port's interface and low resolution graphics, which Dan Hsu felt were enough to ruin the game, but were unanimously pleased with the addictive simulation gameplay.<ref name="EGM85"/> A reviewer for ''Next Generation'' said the game is "a true, if uninspired, descendant" of the original ''SimCity''. He praised the addition of the 3D "ride-through" feature in the PlayStation version, but complained of the clunky interface when using the PlayStation joypad.<ref name="NGen23"/> Scary Larry of ''GamePro'' contended that the slow and confusing interface of the PlayStation conversion ruin any enjoyment that might be found in the game.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview PlayStation: Sim City 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=97 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=October 1996 |page=84}}</ref> [[IGN]] staff erroneously criticized the PlayStation version for lacking mouse support, and said the game doesn't compare well to other simulation titles, but nonetheless assessed it as "worth it" for fans of the genre.<ref name="IGN"/>

===Promotion===
In March 1994, Maxis arranged with Compute! Publications to have a contest for ''[[Compute!]]'' magazine readers to design original cities with the game. Compute! handled the judging of entries submitted via posted floppy disks. The contest anticipated a minimum of five winning contestants and a maximum of twenty. The winners were awarded $50, a $50 software package from Maxis and a $15 hint book from Compute!. The contest ended by the beginning of the next month.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stone |first=Robert |title=The Amazon Trail - Compute! Review |url=https://archive.org/stream/1994-03-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_162_1994_Mar#page/n115 |magazine=[[Compute!]] |issue=162 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC Publishing]] |date=March 1994 |pages=114, 116}}</ref>

===Legacy===
In December 2012, the [[Museum of Modern Art]] acquired ''SimCity 2000'' to its [[List of video games in the Museum of Modern Art|permanent collection of video games]]. As one of the more complex and longer games in the exhibition, the game is presented as a specially-designed demo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/mar/01/video-games-art-moma-exhibition |title=Video games level up in the art world with new MoMA exhibition |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Holpuch |first=Amanda |date=2013-03-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908161016/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/mar/01/video-games-art-moma-exhibition |archive-date=2015-09-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/29/video-games-14-in-the-collection-for-starters/ |last1=Anttonelli |first1=Paola |title=Video Games: 14 in the Collection, for Starters |date=2012-11-29 |publisher=[[MoMA]] |access-date=2014-12-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908154513/http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/11/29/video-games-14-in-the-collection-for-starters/ |archive-date=2015-09-08 }}</ref>

Several games were released as spinoffs to ''SimCity 2000''.
*''[[SimHealth]]'' &ndash; Released in 1994, the game simulated [[Bill Clinton|President Bill Clinton]]'s healthcare reform proposals for the [[United States|US]]; designed for a niche audience at best, the simulation never achieved great popularity. It featured a [[user interface]] that resembled a city in ''SimCity 2000''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Clayton |last=Ashley  |title=The ideology hiding in SimCity's black box |url=https://www.polygon.com/videos/2021/4/1/22352583/simcity-hidden-politics-ideology-urban-dynamics |work=Polygon |date=2021-04-01}}</ref>
*''[[SimCopter]]'' &ndash; An arcade helicopter flight simulator based on the cities of ''SimCity 2000'', ''SimCopter'' was published in 1996. It had the capability of importing ''SimCity 2000'' cities and allowing the user to pilot a helicopter around them and accomplish missions such as rescuing people or putting out a fire.
*''[[Streets of SimCity]]'' &ndash; Published in 1997, ''Streets of SimCity'' was a [[racing game]] based on the ''SimCopter'' engine. In addition to racing, it also featured [[courier]] missions and [[Vehicular combat game|vehicular combat]]