Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
UK EditionUK US EditionUS CA EditionCanada AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Starsand Island
Simulation Games My biggest problem with Stardew Valley is fixed in the hottest new life sim RPG on Steam
A screenshot of the player in Starsand Island at the ranch shop looking at a chicken
Simulation Games I've played Starsand Island for 25 hours, and this is the most invested I've been in a cozy game for years
Upcoming PC games for 2026 showing Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem, marines in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4, Coen in The Blood of Dawnwalker, and a woman's face in Control Resonant
PC Gaming Upcoming PC games: New PC games for 2026 and beyond
Screenshot from Pokemon Pokopia shows a Ditto protagonist, Leafeon, and Sylveon in a field of flowers.
Pokemon 90 minutes with Pokemon Pokopia convinced me this could be the biggest cozy game since Animal Crossing
The Sims 2
The Sims How The Sims 2 inspired the first generation of YouTubers: "The 2000s were a simpler time"
The Sims 4 screenshot of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack which shows a fairy in a yellow outfit and other mythical creatures standing underneath trees
The Sims The best Sims 4 expansion packs to buy right now in 2026
A woman in a underwater machine waving during the cinematic teaser for Subnautica 2.
Survival Games Subnautica 2: Everything we know about the new underwater survival game
Scarlet Hollow
Horror Games Scarlet Hollow's fifth chapter is full of terrifying revelations, but I'm too busy chasing a hot mom to notice
A player in the hub of Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters "I think Speranza is heavily underutilized": Arc Raiders boss wants to see more social elements, eyes the main city
A bustling town market beneath a looming castle in Fable
RPGs Fable promises a Bethesda-like reactive fantasy world, and I think it will be enough to cover for The Elder Scrolls 6
Screenshot from Pokopia. A ditto is in the centre of the frame sat in a cave
Pokemon Pokopia "doesn't force you to wait" like Animal Crossing – the Pokemon life sim lets you knock stuff out as you wish
The Sims 5 Project Rene: a purple screenshot of the the upcoming game.
Simulation Games Project Rene: Everything we know about the future of The Sims
Starsand Island girl on a train looking downcast
Simulation Games Accused of forging Steam reviews to boost their hit anime life sim, devs claim they're innocent and confused
Two Point Museum - a dinosaur bone display
Simulation Games The 15 best simulator games to play in 2026
The Sims 4 screenshot showing a young woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and an academic green coat, her expression surprised
The Sims The Sims 4 legend behind piracy tool rendering nearly $1,500 of DLC totally free quits town and takes his loot with 'em, players pay tribute as copycats immediately try to charge for alternatives
Trending
  • Fallout season 2 ending explained
  • New Games for 2026
  • Big in 2026
  • The Forge codes
  1. Games
  2. Simulation
  3. The Sims
  4. The Sims 3 Island Paradise

You can fist-fight a shark in The Sims 3: Island Paradise

Features
By Hollander Cooper published 30 May 2013

Come sail away, come sail away

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Seriously, like Jaws

Seriously, like Jaws

Earlier today, if we told you that you'd be reading a preview of a Sims expansion, we bet you'd have thought we were crazy. But guess what? That was before you knew that the next expansion was The Sims 3: Island Paradise, wherein you're allowed to become the manager of an island resort, build a houseboat, have sex in an all-in-one bathroom, and beat the hell out of a shark. Well, you can do all of those things and more, so maybe it's about time you locked away your Sims 3 prejudice and prepared to embrace the island life.

Island Paradise is a massive departure from past Sims expansions. In it, you're sent off to the world of Isla Paradiso, a set of tropical islands covered with secrets to find and vacations to be had. After building your house boat you can sail around the different islands, choosing to dock and explore or simply wander around in any one of the ocean-ready vehicles in the game. If you're feeling entrepreneurial you can even start your own resort, building it from the ground up to create the perfect getaway.

And if you're feeling so bold you can cruise out to the sea with your boat, drop anchor, and dive into the deeps. There's coral to find, fish to capture, and... sharks to fight. We watched as a Sim tried to avoid a shark, but was thrust into a vicious fight with the predator. After a few ferocious seconds of slashing and clawing the Sim remained. The shark? Not so lucky. Looking forward to battling some sharks of your own? Well, then you should swing back this summer for our full review of Island Paradise.

Check out the following slides for additional images and more information.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Build and improve your resort in any way you see fit.

Build and improve your resort in any way you see fit.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
You can even customize your employee's outfits.

You can even customize your employee's outfits.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
The Limited Edition comes with some cool items, in case fighting sharks isn't enough incentive.

The Limited Edition comes with some cool items, in case fighting sharks isn't enough incentive.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Bored? Pick up some shells!

Bored? Pick up some shells!

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Changing the chlorination of your pool is allowed, proving how deep this simulation goes.

Changing the chlorination of your pool is allowed, proving how deep this simulation goes.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Customize your pool with waterslides to get more visitors.

Customize your pool with waterslides to get more visitors.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Good luck not belting out "Come Sail Away" while you ride around in your boat.

Good luck not belting out "Come Sail Away" while you ride around in your boat.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Look out for sharks! Or, rather, look for sharks!

Look out for sharks! Or, rather, look for sharks!

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
You can own multiple houses on Isla Paradisa

You can own multiple houses on Isla Paradisa

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Waterskiing is a skill, and the more you do it, the better you are.

Waterskiing is a skill, and the more you do it, the better you are.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation
Former Features Editor at GamesRadar+

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Whatsapp
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
GamesRadar+
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Read more
An anime-style character with their shibe in sunglasses, fishing on a dock in Starsand Island
Starsand Island let me be a skateboarding rabbit farmer, so you better believe it's at the top of my wishlist
 
 
The Sims 5 Project Rene: a purple screenshot of the the upcoming game.
Project Rene: Everything we know about the future of The Sims
 
 
The Sims 4 screenshot of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack which shows a fairy in a yellow outfit and other mythical creatures standing underneath trees
The best Sims 4 expansion packs to buy right now in 2026
 
 
Paralives
After telling fans not to "expect hundreds of hours of gameplay" and delaying their indie life sim, Paralives devs unveil new footage that leaves the community worried: "Oh boy"
 
 
inZOI Character Studio trailer screenshot showing a young woman with ginger-y hair and a light baseball cap smiling to the side
inZOI tells The Sims 4 wait, I've got this – actual schools are coming to the life sim for free, in a move fans of EA's own game have waited 11 years for: "We aim to create a real school – not a rabbit hole"
 
 
Animal Crossing: New Horizon On the Radar special
I love Animal Crossing: New Horizons Slumber Islands, but it could’ve been so much better if they added these features
 
 
Latest in The Sims
The Sims 2
How The Sims 2 inspired the first generation of YouTubers: "The 2000s were a simpler time"
 
 
The Sims 4 Lovestruck reveal trailer screenshot showing an adult woman with short black hair and a dark lace mask dancing, her hands crossed behind her head
The Sims 4's biggest sex mod, WickedWhims, is launched 400,000 times a day according to its creator
 
 
The Sims
"The Sims has always been more than a game": Maxis says its values aren't changing as it works on "the next evolution"
 
 
The Sims 4 screenshot showing a young woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair and an academic green coat, her expression surprised
The Sims 4 legend behind piracy tool rendering nearly $1,500 of DLC totally free quits town and takes his loot with 'em, players pay tribute as copycats immediately try to charge for alternatives
 
 
The Sims 4 Realm of Magic
The Sims 4 fans left baffled as rumors suggest EA's latest life sim entry could be getting a remaster, despite ongoing support: "What will they be remastering exactly?"
 
 
The Sims 2
OG Sims dev says it's "critical" the series embrace diversity during today's "reactionary cycle" echoing '00s censorship efforts: "We will always go through this"
 
 
Latest in Features
Keanu Reeves in John Wick
From the new John Wick game to 007 First Light, the age of PS2-style film adaptations is upon us once more
 
 
Ocarina of Time
Forget another Ocarina of Time remake – Nintendo needs to get weird with Zelda's 40th anniversary
 
 
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse gameplay showing the protagonist running through 15th century Paris
Fans have waited 12 years for a new Castlevania game, but Belmont's Curse is an even greater gift for uncultured swine like me
 
 
Fallout 4
I'm convinced Fallout season 2 has set the board for Fallout 5
 
 
Forza Horizon 4
Creating a new studio with former Forza and Codemasters devs is like "taking the best singers from the best boy bands"
 
 
Scarlet Hollow
Scarlet Hollow's fifth chapter is full of terrifying revelations, but I'm too busy chasing a hot mom to notice
 
 
  1. A close-up of Styx looking up from under his hood in darkness, one eye glowing amber, and the other light blue
    1
    Styx: Blades of Greed review: "What if Metal Gear Solid 5 went goblin mode? This dark fantasy open-world stealth 'em up is devilishly creative"
  2. 2
    High on Life 2 review: "I smiled, I laughed, I sorely wished the combat was a lot better"
  3. 3
    God of War Sons of Sparta review: "Retro-style Metroidvania Kratos struggles to stand out, making for an overly tame adventure"
  4. 4
    Reanimal review: "A feast of twisted weirdness conjuring up unpleasant imagery and dark world building"
  5. 5
    Crisol: Theater of Idols review: "This blood-powered shooter intrigues me, but never manages to live up to its dark folklore promises"
  1. Return to Silent Hill protagonist James Sunderland
    1
    Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
  2. 2
    28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
  3. 3
    Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
  4. 4
    Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
  5. 5
    Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
  1. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man.
    1
    Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
  2. 2
    Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
  3. 3
    A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
  4. 4
    Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
  5. 5
    Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...