The upcoming Simpsons movie has nothing on The Simpsons Hit and Run

✓ Videogamer Summary

• The Simpsons first appeared on The Tracy Ullman Show, a US talk show, as five-minute shorts in 1987.
• This spawned a series in 1989, with The Simpsons becoming part of public culture thanks to its incisive humor and massive worldwide success.
• The Simpsons Hit and Run debuted in 2003 for PS2, GameCube, Xbox, and PC to wide acclaim.
• Since its release, fans have been clamouring for a sequel or a remaster.
• After years of speculation, a sequel to 2007’s The Simpsons Movie has been confirmed and will be out in 2027.

What do you get when you combine Grand Theft Auto and The Simpsons? One of the best games ever made. The Simpsons Hit and Run was released in 2003 for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC. Developer Radical Entertainment was pondering what a follow-up to The Simpsons Road Rage would entail. Instead, they took inspiration from Grand Theft Auto III.

Around this time, movie and TV tie-ins to games simply didn’t work well. The Simpsons didn’t avoid this either, with duds like The Simpsons Wrestling and The Simpsons Skateboarding being poorly received. However, The Simpsons Hit and Run upended this trend. Over 20 years since its release, and with news of a new Simpsons movie for 2027, we make the case for why Hit and Run is still one of the greats.

Grand Theft Auto: Springfield

Few games can catch your attention in the first few minutes, but Hit and Run manages just that. Across the seven levels, split across three maps covering the whole of Springfield, you’ll find yourself racing characters, performing tricks, and even finding hidden vehicles like the Speed Rocket or Monorail Car.

But what allowed Hit and Run to stand apart from the pack? Having played Hit and Run around its release, as well as being given GTA: Vice City for Christmas in 2002, there are several factors at play.

First, Hit and Run passionately harnesses the source material. I grew up watching The Simpsons in the UK. Every Friday, there’d be a double bill on the terrestrial channel, usually followed by The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Simpsons quotes are laser-seared into my brain to the extent that they’re almost a shorthand for me. By lovingly leaning into the irreverent and memorable humor that made The Simpsons stand out on television, Hit and Run was able to offer something with real cultural weight.

It’s this strength of the game, knowing how certain characters work, speak, and act, that makes you feel like you’re in Springfield.

Other factors include how fun the game is to play and control. From the side missions to the hidden cars, everything feels slick and joyful. A game with driving mechanics can succeed or fail based on its controls, and The Simpsons Hit and Run does a home run with its own. 

With Fox confirming that a follow-up to the 2007 Simpsons Movie is in development for a 2027 release, we’d love to see Disney look into something similar for Hit and Run.

What could have been

Curiously, a sequel and a Sony PlayStation Portable port of Hit and Run were both on the cards at one point. As Liam Robertson revealed via Did You Know Gaming on YouTube, there were plans for a more detailed Springfield, as well as plans for characters like Bart being able to be able to fit into smaller spaces on certain missions.

However, publisher Vivendi scrapped plans for the sequel due to licensing costs and lack of faith in the series. It’s a shame, but now that The Simpsons is under the Disney umbrella, there’s a perfect opportunity for Hit and Run to be remastered for modern platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2. 

To see a Simpsons Hit and Run Remaster in native widescreen with reworked 4K textures and a Springfield that’s not split into three sections would go a long way to appeal to fans of the title, myself included. The game is the pinnacle of the series, and it feels like a perfect way to build up hype for The Simpsons Movie 2 in 2027.

Disney holds all the cards. However, a return to Hit and Run would be a great way of introducing new players to a game that faithfully recreated Springfield and its characters in a Grand Theft Auto world. For now, though, if you want to relive part of your childhood, you’re best off finding a PS2, Xbox, or GameCube console. Do so, however, and you’ll discover (or rediscover) why The Simpsons Hit and Run is one of the best TV-to-game adaptations ever made.

FAQs

References

1. Liam Robertson (Patreon)
2. The Simpsons Hit & Run’s Lost Sequel + Fun Facts – Game History Secrets (YouTube)
3. Lucas’ Simpsons Hit & Run Mod Launcher (Mod Bakery)