The Sims 2 Pets find a home on consoles and PC

EA has announced The Sims 2 Pets for current-gen consoles, handhelds and as a PC expansion.

Lonely Sims can now turn their attention to a new best friend thanks to the all-new Pets game coming to PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PC (expansion pack to The Sims 2). A PSP version will arrive a little later.

Players have the ability to choose from a huge variety of animals to take into their care, such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds - even customise the look of your new pet with the Create-A-Pet feature. Here players will be able to choose the pet's unique body shape, markings, and even personality traits.

Teach your pet new tricks and be sure to provide your new friend with the attention it deserves to build up a good relationship. Neglect your pet and it might not like you all that much, and don't be surprised to come home to find it's made a mess out of your home.

"The Sims 2 Pets captures the magic between pets and their owners," said Executive Producer Rod Humble. "A dog gnawing at his chew toy, a cat jumping at a dangled feather, a toddler stroking the chest of a big dog who sits by patiently - even a frisky dog getting caught rolling around in the trash. These special moments all come to life through the lifelike animations and artwork of The Sims 2 Pets. There is something delightful about your Sim, a little pet person, having a pet of their own. Pets allows players to tell more stories with their Sims and helps create more emergent anecdotes within the game."

Each version of The Sims 2 Pets will contain features unique to the platform. In the PC game, skilled pets can earn a living from three career tracks - Show Business, Security, and Service - with five job levels to progress through. In the DS game players can take control of a pet store and a pet care centre, and in the GBA game your Sim can become a veterinarian and take care of all the pets in the town.

EA hasn't announced a release date for The Sims 2 Pets, but it's probably a safe bet to assume it will be in stores this year.