The Game Boy Advance version was originally intended to be a straight port of the original Sims game for PC, however this wasn't possible as the simulation gameplay of the Sims didn't translate well to the hardware. Instead, inspired by the first console version of The Sims where players could follow their Sim's story in a more personal way, the game's producer J.C. Connors pitched to EA what would become Bustin' Out on the Game Boy Advance.