Remember The Simpsons: Hit & Run?

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

For a really long time, it seemed that everyone and their mother was playing this thing... and for good reason!

The very idea of playing "GTA" with Simpsons characters (and around Springfield!) seemed downright genius, like a match made in heaven.

And, by being so good, this thing also provided a much-needed breath of fresh air in the stinking hole that was Simpsons games up to that point (maybe since?).

As expected, my friend and I were definitely part of it, raiding the local internet café every Friday after school just to play it a little more.

This game had done the seemingly impossible: making us forget about Counter-Strike for five minutes.

But it's been decades since I last heard anyone mention it, so let me ask you: do YOU remember it?

It was a tad too difficult for my liking, but I still enjoyed it overall and tend to boot it up every couple of months just to experience it once more.

 

[CraigJarrett]

I love it. The kids love it. GTA for kids, great fun. I also love Road Rage.

 

[gastd]

It was an interesting game cruising around the area with Homer. I liked it.

 

[FarJyyUir]

Yeah, still have it.

Plus this youtuber's been remastering the cut scenes for fun

 

[Rocket2049]

it's literally better than any GTA game and one of the most fun freeworld driving games.
all other simpsons games were meh otherwise

 

[Tsukishima]

I had this game when I was about 8 or so, i remember getting pretty far to about the final 'hub section / level'? i don't really know what to call them in this game. Sections where you take control of another character.

I remember finding the secret cars in the level, such as the racing shuttle, the witch's broom and then of course, endlessly kicking some random NPC into submission because the animations for doing so never stopped entertaining me.

I remember the music being pretty good too in some sections too. I wasn't a GTA kid, and still not a GTA adult, but this one really clicked for me back then.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

endlessly kicking some random NPC into submission because the animations for doing so never stopped entertaining me.

That. That right there is what keeps me engaged with this one decades later.

That and driving your wrecked car two pixels at a time because you are too broke to replace it.

 

[Johnson81]

Just picked up the Vita again after a good 6 months and I installed the port of this on it. Plays pretty well but only ever got past the first map. Got about 6 games on the go at the minute but can always add a seventh :)

 

[CheesyExplosive]

The Duffspring: featuring homer simpson
homer: doh,doh,doh,doh,DOH!

 

[ThunderBoy]

Yeah, really fun game

 

[El Pollo Loco]

It's not forgotten. After that ton of garbage games from the NES and SNES era, this game and Road Rage proved that licenses can be used brilliantly. Right now, a fan is programming a mod with the Futurama series.

 

[zombie100379]

i only played it for the first time around 8 years ago - its good , but the amount of missions that had time limits is unnecessary.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

i only played it for the first time around 8 years ago - its good , but the amount of missions that had time limits is unnecessary.

I have to agree — some are so punishing that the only way to complete them is to make the computer's car explode or just plain get lucky.

And the scaling is weird, too — some of the toughest, most unforgiving ones hit you really early on.

 

[Boo Man]

i watched my friend Spider🕸(thats his nickname) playing Simpsons Hit & Run a few weeks ago.
He said he hadn't played it since he was a kid and it was obvious he was good at the game. like freakishly good, he didn't crash at all and knew the whole map off by heart, he almost speed ran the whole game in front of me perfectly i was flabbergasted
didn't even want a turn after that

 

[Velocista]

I started playing Simpson: Hit & Run, and yes, it's fun.

 

[ThunderBoy]

 

[JiruleanSkies]

There's actually still a whole modding community for Simpsons Hit and Run, but obviously it's not the most talked about thing. Not sure if I should post a link to the site?

My wife hadn't ever seen the final "level", I guess, but we played through a few months ago. I don't like GTA at all (she does, the weirdo), but I always have a softspot for Hit and Run.

Could I guess that you're a pretty big Simpsons nerd?

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

Could I guess that you're a pretty big Simpsons nerd?

For life *gang gestures* :D!

 

[Diadu]

Played it when it came out on Gamecube and it was surprisingly fun. This thread reminded me that there was an UWP port, so I'm downloading that right now to see how it runs on the series x

 

[iamthemilkman]

It's a shame Radical closed down. The Simpsons: Hit & Run, Scarface: The World Is Yours, and both of the Prototype games were great open world games. I also enjoyed Dark Summit.

 

[SamanthaSamantha's icon]

One thing I definitely didn't remember was just how... Slow the gameplay is on PS2.

It's not unplayable or anything, but it really makes you wish for just a little more speed when walking around and driving.

 

[NobodyHere]

Played it with my dad ( by passing the controller between us, or me just trying to guide him) a while ago, we both sucked ass but it was a good time.

 

[BrawlMan]

I played it a few times at a friend's, but was never heavily invested in the game. Plus, this was around the time I was watching The Simpsons left.

 

[FlyingToaster]

How could i forget one of the greatest licensed games of all time.

 

[BrawlMan]

I played it a few times at a friend's, but was never heavily invested in the game. Plus, this was around the time I was watching The Simpsons less.

I don't know how google speak messed that up.