I watch the demo of Sim City during the E3 EA press event and it looks very tasty. However, since it isn't out for a while and my little laptop isn't up to much, where should a new-comer to the series start of? Go in deep or try one of the more easier iterations?

Rollercoaster Tycoon

If you think your laptop can handle it, Simcity 4 or Cities XL is probably your best place to start if you're new to city development sims. Cities XL 2012 is probably the closest thing to what the new Simcity is going for (it's a resource hog once your city starts to grow, be warned).

If your laptop is on the low end, or you just want a cheap game to get introduced to simcity with that teaches you the basics of how residential / industrial / commercial zoning works, Simcity 2000 or Simcity 3000 should do just fine.

@MjHealy said:

I watch the demo of Sim City during the E3 EA press event and it looks very tasty. However, since it isn't out for a while and my little laptop isn't up to much, where should a new-comer to the series start of? Go in deep or try one of the more easier iterations?

You never played a SimCity game? SimCity 4, is the best.

Sim City 2000 or bust!

3000 is the best starting point.

simcity 4 is the best but it is also not very silly.

There are no people telling you that you can't cut back on funding! YOU'LL REGRET THIS!

I fucking suck at SimCity games.

If you're looking for a challenge and a more complex game, start with SimCity 4. If you want something more laid back and with that Maxis humor, go with either 2000 or 3000.

SimCity 4 also has a huge modding community.

Anything but Societies is a good place to start. They are all such fantastic games. 3000 Unlimited is still my favorite though.

Also if you have a DS the sim city game on there is fantastic. If I recall correctly it's an updated version of 3000.

SimCIty 4 is the best entry point.  The games are practically the same every time, but 4 looks the best, with the easiest to use interface.

I feel like a minority for saying 3000 is the best one, but hey. That's my suggestion. It's an easy game to get into as well.

@devilzrule27 said:

Anything but Societies is a good place to start. They are all such fantastic games. 3000 Unlimited is still my favorite though.

Yeah, okay! Good to know people have taste.

@TheDudeOfGaming said:

I fucking suck at SimCity games.

The game is actually a sort of social commentary on how every country is inherently flawed and how they will eventually, without fail, all collapse in on themselves. Either that or I fucking suck too.

Sim city 4 is great but a little complicated for beginners, I would try out sim city 2000 that is on GOG and go from there onto 4.

Go hard or go home! Start with SimCity4

SimCity 4. It will run on pretty much anything and it's the best out of them all.

SimCity 4, for the mods when you get bored.

SimTown. Easiest start you can make.