Definately different which doesn't always mean better.
You can't get rid of the forsaken doggy from hell that keeps piddling all over the floor. Once it's unlocked it's yours, you don't get a choice to buy him. At least I noticed he didn't follow me when I moved into a new place so maybe that's the only way to get rid of unwanted pets.
The music is all right and the graphics seem alright too for the age of the game. I noticed you also can't free-walk any where you have to select where you want to go before you go anywhere and if you don't do it fast, your sim is wandering around. Maybe they're bored too?
It's a bit annoying to have to always change clothes to get into an area of the game, and even then you'll have the bouncer telling you to get more rep if you don't already have enough.
With the jobs however at least you don't get fired from not having a regular job.
The load time is horrible. You have enough time to use the bathroom and make yourself a sandwich and it'll still be loading. The GBA version is far more entertaining than the GC version. If you haven't bought it, I suggest you rent it first. If you have the game and want to zip through it, use the cheats or AR codes for it.