True to the original The Sims games, Game Boy Advance players will create a Sim with a unique appearance and personality to control through out the game. Players will also have to satisfy the traditional eight core Sim motives including bladder, comfort, hygiene, and of course hunger.
Players begin living in a Barn and earn their way through locations in SimValley to eventually live in the coolest cribs, such as a swanky Mansion on the hill. Players will be able to unlock over 20 locations such as the Biker Juice Bar and the Ultimate Dance Club on their way to success. There are eight new career paths for players to pursue including Cliff Diving Instructor to Iron Pizza Chef. If players want to get through adventures with speed, they will be able to unlock a scooter to race around SimValley. Players will meet and play with a wild cast of over 30 new characters exclusive to the Game Boy Advance such as Salty Sam and Bucky the Bull Rider. Players also can go to the pet shelter and adopt a dog or cat to keep them company. New to the Sims is a close-up social interaction screen that will allow players to have conversations with other Sims and establish friendships that will help them advance through levels and complete goals.
Unlike previous The Sims games, players will not purchase items from a catalog. Players will now collect over 150 Game Boy Advance exclusive objects such as a Punching Bag, Fishing Rod, and Boom Box. Players obtain objects by attending once-a-day auctions, going directly to stores, or by trading with other characters. Players may trade rare objects with other players by joining in each other's once-a-day auctions if connected to another Game Boy Advance with The Sims Bustin' Out.
The Sims Bustin' Out Game Boy Advance version will support connectivity with The Sims Bustin' Out Nintendo GameCube version. When connected, Game Boy Advance players will unlock a special hidden level for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube players will unlock a hidden game cabinet that will give their Sims access to mini-games that they can play on their Game Boy Advance to earn extra Simoleons. Players will also be able to download and play their Nintendo GameCube Sim in the Game Boy Advance world and obtain Simoleons, motives, and skills to bring back with them to the Nintendo GameCube version, enabling players to take their Nintendo GameCube Sim with them anywhere.