EA has announced that The Sims 3 will be coming to consoles and handheld this autumn. The best-selling franchise is currently in development for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS.

Not surprising that EA has chosen to branch out to greener pastures given that when The Sims 3 launched on the PC last summer it became the biggest PC launch in EA’s history and the number one best-selling PC title in 2009.

The Sims 3 for console and handheld will enable players to create Sims with “unique personalities, fulfil their desires…or not, and control their lives within a living neighborhood.” Normal Sims stuff then.

Players will also be able to unlock “Karma Powers for instant control and unleash them on their Sims,” a new feature making it easy to mess with their lives. Now this sounds interesting.

You’ll be able to help your Sim get lucky, bless them with instant beauty or curse them with an epic fail. Don’t be too rash in using Karma though, because it can come back with unexpected results.

The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions promise to deliver “rich, immersive gamplay” along with a “seamlessly integrated exchange system.” Players will be able to design, build and share their creations as well as download creations from around the world. Trophies and achievements will also be included of course.

The Wii version will include an exclusive new beach town with unique residents, traits, careers and lifetime wishes as well as several adventure quests. It will also feature a new Life Moments where players can go head to head to earn rewards.

The DS version meanwhile will see players making use of the stylus to build Sims’ home with tools, drawing walls and floors and customizing to your heart’s content. Bring your Sims to life, sculpting their facial features, hair styles, clothing and even personalities. The game will also include a Story Mode where players will control a family of Sims.

“We’re bringing players the best console and handheld game for The Sims franchise to date and are excited to offer a unique experience for all types of gamers on their platform of choice,” explained Sam Player, Executive Producer at EA.

“Building on the unique traits system, living open neighborhood, lifetime wishes, and endless customization options, we’ve tailored each platform of The Sims 3 with exclusive features to allow for even more control, creativity, and connectivity.”

Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio commented: “The Sims series continues to be one of the most successful videogames of all time by providing universally appealing content and focusing on the player’s imagination, emergent gameplay mechanics, and the innate humor evident in the virtual world of The Sims.”

“We’re building on this foundation and applying new features that will make for a robust, deep and rewarding gameplay experience. I’m extremely proud of the game that the team is making and can’t wait to bring these exciting new features like “Karma Powers” to life and get them into players’ hands.”