The Sim 2 parade continues as EA readies not one but two new explorations into the lives of virtual people with The Sims 2 Apartment Life expansion and The Sims 2 Apartment Pets for the Nintendo DS. The PC version takes your Sim from their posh suburban homes and tosses them into apartment buildings, perhaps simulating America's horrific real estate market. You'll meet new archetypes like sports jocks, bohemians, and gadget-loving techies (raises hand) as you explore the drama of apartment living.

Meanwhile on the DS you'll find an apartment-based pet sim, complete with a snake charming mini-game that involves blowing into the DS microphone. Both games are due out in August around the globe.

As a guy who has lived in apartments for the majority of his life, I fail to see the charm here. Will my Sim be able to keep his pets secret from the apartment management? Can my interactions with my Sims neighbors be confined to peeking out the blinds to make sure they aren't breaking into my car again? Now that's apartment living right there.