Quick Note
I am using The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection from the Origin/EA App, and I am running it on Windows 10. If you are using disk or via other methods (Check the Sims 2 Reddit) your experiences may vary. Files should be in similar locations, though. I cannot guarantee these methods will work for you. However, I have been using them for a while and haven't had problems.
Playing The Sims 2 in the Modern Era
So it's the 2020's and you've decided to check out The Sims 2. Maybe it's the first time you've ever played or maybe it's been years since you've touched the game. You go through the (hopefully not very long) installation, run it for the first time and Wow! It doesn't look very good. Luckily there's some things you can do to make it run and look better.
First things first
Run the game to make sure it well... runs. This also creates and updates files we will be editing.
We'll also be editing some important files so it's a good idea to create a folder somewhere to back them up.
No CD Patch
The NoCD patch (or crack) is simply an .exe file that is copied over the regular .exe file used to start the game. It allows the game to run without the disk or starting the EA app. If you do not want or need this skip to the next section. If you are, it is important to install this first as we will be applying the 4GB Patch in the next section to the Sims2EP9.exe file.
Here is a link to the patch I use for my game. It also includes a backup file. Make sure to put this file, or copy and paste the unpatched .exe to your backup folder. This patch will work with version 1.17.0.66 of The Sims 2 aka the Ultimate Collection. If you are using any other version you will need to find a patch that works with that particular version. You can right click the main executable and select 'properties' then 'details' to find the current file version of your game.
Extract the file, copy and then paste it over the .exe located in:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSBin
You can also find the main executable location by right-clicking the desktop shortcut and selecting 'Open File Location'
4GB Patch
This patch is a must have as it will let your game use more RAM which will make it run better, faster and with (hopefully) less crashing. Currently the game uses 2GB, this will upgrade it to 4GB.
Download the 4GB Patch from the NTCore website here
Extract and run the file. It will open a window, you will want to go to:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSBin
Select the 'Sims2EP9.exe' file. Click 'Open' and the patch will be applied to the .exe file.
If your main executable is a different file or in another folder you can find it by right-clicking the desktop shortcut and selecting 'Open File Location'. If that doesn't work your main .exe should be in the '/TSBin' of your most recent expansion pack.
Check to make sure it worked by first running the game to update the game log. To find the config log go to:
C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\EA Games\The Sims™ 2 Ultimate Collection\Logs
Click on the config-log.txt file and the memory should be updated from 2048MB to 4096MB as shown below:
Config log Location
Memory updated
If you're having trouble try copying the .exe file to desktop, apply the patch, then copy the .exe back to /TSBin. Sometimes windows is weird about modifying files in /program folders.
Graphics Rules Maker
This program will modify the game's files for you. It will make it so higher resolutions will be unlocked in the game's settings as well as recognize newer graphics cards. It can also apply other fixes like disabling sim shadows if you have the common black shadow glitch.
Download from the creator's page here
Make sure to read everything!
Download, install and run the program. On first run it will try to auto-detect your installation folder which should be located in:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9
If you're unsure of what to enable just click 'auto-detect' then 'save file' and you should be good to go. Don't mess with anything if you're unsure of what you're doing!
The program will make backups of your 'Graphics Rules.sgr' and 'Video Cards.sgr' files. Both files should be located in:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSData\Res\Config
Config folder
Make sure to save the backups or copy and paste the original files to your backup folder.
There is a chance it might cause an error. I've never had this happen but it is something to keep in mind. Again make sure you're following the instructions on the creator's page carefully!
Resolutions and Windowed Mode
When you increase the resolution over a certain size you'll notice the UI is incredibly small. Unfortunately there's not really any fix for this with the exception of some UI mods that only fix certain aspects of the game. I go over some of the ones I use in the Enhancements page.
Unlocked resolutions
UI at higher resolution
One thing you can do is use a smaller resolution. I have a 16:9 monitor, 2560x1440, and run the game at 1920x1080 at full screen. In full screen at this size the game is a little blurry, however, you can run it in windowed mode to remove the blurriness. To run the game in windowed mode right click on the shortcut, click 'Properties' and add a -w at the very end of the 'Target' field.
You may have to fiddle with screen size and/or windowed mode to get the game to look decent for you.