[1] The concept of the game is to simulate an ecosystem; players may modify the genetics of the plants and animals that inhabit the virtual world.

SimLife was re-released in 1993 as part of the SimClassics Volume 1 compilation, alongside SimCity Classic and SimAnt for PC, Mac and Amiga.

Users can manipulate the genetics of both plants and animals to determine whether these new species could survive in the Earth's various environments.

SimLife gives players the power to: Computer Gaming World in 1993 praised SimLife, stating that "By neatly bridging the gap between entertainment and education, SL brings the engrossing science of genetics within reach of any interested person".

[4] In 1993, SimLife received a Codie award from the Software Publishers Association for Best Simulation.