I thought that was so that people can come back in five years when The Sims 5 is released and not complain that the people don't look like people. The Sims 2's sims don't exactly look like people, either, and it's made worse since they tried to look realistic. With a moderately realistic art...
I don't get the deal with "boxed". "Boxed condoms!" Oh, wow, look at that! Those must be very important! Honestly, what I look for is disc condition. There's no point in having a box with no software.
I thought Unleashed and MM were the best in temrs of getting new content. If I were able to only get two EPs, these would be my picks.
And for the worst, anything before Hot Date, for the lack of pretty much anything big or new.