What are the Best Simpsons Games of All Time?

Hi-diddly-ho, playerinos. Okay, that’s the only quote that’ll be butchered in this article. Promise. From the late 80s to the present decade, The Simpsons have become a world-renowned icon in the media, the sitcom about a yellow family in the fictional town of Springfield, and the insane shenanigans they get into.

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Besides being one of the longest-running shows on television, the Simpsons family has been just about everywhere, from comic books to a movie, and, of course, even video games. It’s worth noting that over the years, the Simpsons license has been passed around to notable game publishers, including Fox Interactive, Konami, and EA, among others. The only question now is which ones stand out as the best after all these years?

7

The Simpsons: Cartoon Studio

Make Your Own Episode

Ever want to create a Simpsons cartoon of your very own? Without the painstaking effort of learning animation and editing? Well, back in 1996, you could, thanks to The Simpsons: Cartoon Studio. Similar to Mario Paint, the game was a PC program that allowed players to put together their own Simpsons skits.

Just the idea that you had access to backgrounds, characters, props, and sound effects based on the show was mind-blowing. However, the software had its limitations, and even after you were finished, the result was a choppy animation that only you could enjoy. This was 1996, so you couldn’t share your creations online except through email, and this was the dial-up era of the internet, which means it probably took around a day to load and send a single animation.

6

The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield

An Interactive Tour

Despite having virtual in the title, Virtual Springfield isn’t a VR game–although that would be an awesome idea. Instead, this is a 3D interactive simulation where players can explore Springfield. From the Kwik-E-Mart to the Simpsons’ home, you’re free to go where you please, and each location is populated with characters from the show.

Sure, it’s primitive by modern standards, but for a kid in the 90s, this was a fun time-waster. Each area is littered with clickable objects to cause something funny to happen. It really felt like you were in the show, and there were even various minigames scattered throughout the town to enjoy. There’s no real objective besides collecting hidden cards–it was about making your own fun.

5

The Simpsons: Tapped Out

An Addictive City-Builder

It’s inevitable for every best-selling franchise to wind up with a mobile game or two. However, where some become forgettable cash grabs that fizzle out, The Simpsons: Tapped Out lasted a whole 13 years and managed to reach a player count of over 80 million. The game functions as a city builder where players can build Springfield in their own image.

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It starts with a fully animated intro of Homer Simpson ignoring his job and playing a tablet game, which causes a nuclear explosion. Now it’s up to the player to rebuild the town and repopulate it with characters from the show. Using the in-game currency, you purchase homes and decorations while completing quests for characters. You can even send them out on tasks, some of which come with their own unique animation and humorous text box. Even the events were fun as the game added new content for special holidays.

4

The Simpsons: Road Rage

Taxi-Style Insanity

Mr. Burns has taken over public transportation, and now, all the buses are powered by radioactive material. So, the characters of Springfield have started their own driving business to counteract Mr. Burns’ hazardous transportation. If you’ve played Crazy Taxi, you’re familiar with Road Rage’s style of gameplay. You pick up familiar Simpsons characters and drive them to a specific location under a time limit, avoiding obstacles like Mr. Burns and his radioactive buses.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Road Rage was mindless fun. It was a joy at the time to just cruise through Springfield, causing havoc as you listened to the corny lines your characters say. On another positive note, much of what made Road Rage great was carried over in its follow-up: Hit & Run.

3

The Simpsons (Arcade)

Classic Cartoon Violence

Whether you were playing it in the arcade or a console port at home, Simpsons fans and fighting game fans can agree that The Simpsons (Arcade) remains one of Konami’s most iconic arcade creations and one of the greatest beat ‘em up games of all time. The diabolical Mr. Burns and his hired goons have kidnapped Maggie, and it’s up to the Simpsons family to get her back.

Between Homer, Bart, Lisa, and Marge, up to four players could join in on the fun as you fight and bash your way through Springfield. Each character had their own fighting style that felt in line with the show, and even the enemies you fought did as well. If you grew up hanging around in the arcade, chances are you played this gem more than once.

2

The Simpsons Game (2007)

Huge & Hilarious

The Simpsons Game (2007) feels like a whole episode that was made in dedication to video games. The story not only has parody levels based on other games–Grand Theft Auto, Pokémon, and Medal of Honor–but the plot revolves around the Simpsons realizing their characters in a game and having to use their new powers to save Springfield. It’s ludicrous, it’s silly, and it’s one big fun and wacky adventure.

Homer can turn into a massive ball, Bart gains ziplines and acrobatic skills as Bartman, Lisa can fight using her saxophone, and Marge can summon and control mobs using her megaphone. You beat up enemies, leap platforms, solve puzzles, and get an entire hub level modeled after Springfield, where you can explore while seeking out missions and secrets. This is the only Simpsons game where they meet their creator, before beating him up. Yes, there’s a boss fight with Matt Groening, and it’s hilarious.

1

The Simpsons: Hit & Run

Best. Simpsons Game. Ever.

If there’s any Simpsons game fans have been begging to be remastered, or at the very least rereleased, it’s Hit & Run. The Simpsons investigate mysterious events happening around town, from strange bee-like robots spying on everyone to the rise in a new drink called Buzz Cola. The gameplay is often compared to GTA–you drive around in different vehicles, handling missions while platforming and exploring areas on foot.

It wasn’t a fully open world, as each location in Springfield was confined to a separate map, but just the fact that players could drive around in vehicles lifted from the show was amazing. There are loads of collectibles too: coins, cards, cars, and costumes. Hit & Run also earned a reputation as one of the hardest Simpsons games, with missions that ranged from challenging to unforgivable. Despite that, Hit & Run has an everlasting charm that fans will never forget.

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