The Simpsons: Hit & Run (2003 Video Game) User Reviews

Best Simpsons game ever

[PlayerSS · 8/10 · 11 December 2003]

This game shamelessly rips off the Grand Theft Auto game engine. It works for this game though. Hit and Run has almost every simpsons character. You can only drive with a select few. The game takes around different parts of Springfield doing missions for certain people with different characters.

Marge, Homer, Lisa, Bart, and for some reason Apu are the main characters you can drive as. You can get out of your original car and get into some else's just like in Grand Theft Auto. You can't drive other people's car. They drive you around.

All around Springfield you can find little tie-ins to some of the episodes. As for design Springfield is designed just like I would have imagined it. The story is written by the simpsons writers. Its almost as if you were playing an actual episode.

While your driving around your character will say different things. Just like in Road Rage. While the lines that the character say can get a little repetitive, but they are still funny. Hit and Run is the best simpsons game to date. A sure buy for any fan of the simpsons

best. Simpson's game. ever.

[tim-o-t112 · 9/10 · 14 April 2007]

this game has by far got to be the best Simpson's game available. that may not sound like an accomplishment seeing as the previous Simpson's titles have been terrible but in the process of making a good game for the yellow family they have given us a good game overall. I realise that the game is fairly old at the time I'm writing this but i thought it deserves my review. 1st of all it has got to be the most interactive game i have ever played. the scenery is fully interactive and as a matter of fact there is so much interaction it is actually part of the game in which you have to find each 'gag' around each level. The storyline is a fairly good one in which aliens kang and kodos have started a space reality show called 'foolish earthlings' and are recording the citizens of Springfield with cameras in robotic bees and later poison the water supply to wake the dead, hence the Halloween theme for level 7. each level starts with a spinning newspaper explaining each level and what is happening. level 1 starts off with the newspaper reading: 'study shows 90% of video games start off with an easy tutorial level'-yet another in game joke as the majority of the 1st level has nothing to do with the games storyline (only the last two missions). many people believe that this game is the Simpson's with a gta (grand theft auto) twist, this is simply because the style of the games are similar but in truth these people are wrong, I'm sure some of my fellow reviewers will agree. the gameplay of this game is, on a whole, good but leaves room for improvement and the handling of the cars is really good. The graphics are definitely a step up from previous Simpson's titles but could stand to have them more solid. for me and a few other gamers it is too easy the only challenge in the whole game is the last mission on the final level (7) in which homer and grandpa have to deliver the nuclear waste to the alien space ship. On a whole this is a very entertaining game and i read a very good request from a fellow reviewer...they should make a sequel to this game and improve on the game to make it a classic, we'll have to wait and see but for now i would recommend this game to any one, but the hardcore gamer will find this a walk in the park.

A cool Simpsons game!

[Dr_Death666 · 8/10 · 8 May 2009]

The Simpsons: Hit And Run was made 2 years after Crazy Taxi spoofing Road Rage way back in 2001. This one is more fun and challenging. I'll tell you the main gist of it now.

Characters- Pretty much every character from the show Plot- Play through missions on foot or on wheels as many Simpsons characters.

Animation- Blocky and aging, but still cute, colorful, and fun looking.

Sound- Psychedelic.

Buy this game. Definitely. It is great unless you don't like too much challenge in a car game, but otherwise play this good game.

8.5/10 or: B+

Comic Book Guy wouldn't say Worst Game Ever to this one

[Darth_Homer · 3 February 2004]

It's the genre we love to hate, licensed video games. This genre often produces some of the crappiest games ever made, one such victim has been the Simpsons, in which many a crappy game has been made about the show.

Now, the waters have parted, at last, A great Simpsons game since Konamis smash aracde game has graced us, it's name, The Simpsons: Hit and Run.

To put the game a little simpiler, it's Simpsons meets GTA, minus all the violence which made the latter a smash hit. But even without the violence, this is still a great game.

The best part about the game is the script and sound. The script is great, being penned by the shows writers and voiced by the shows actors, getting an authentic feel to the game, and the script is one of the funniest ever written, probably funnier than the Futurama script.

The games only fault is with the camera, it just happens to get in your way so much it's really annoying and destroys the game.

In short, if u love the Simpsons or love car-madness, get this game!

Oh Yeah!

[smcgann14 · 10/10 · 3 May 2011]

This is probably one of my favorite video games. The best part is the dialog. There are so many great lines, like Homer with "I am evil Homer!", Marge with "I shouldn't be laughing at that", Bart with "My skull..my beautiful skull", Lisa with "Watch where you're going!", and Comic Book Guy with "I have spilled my Squishee." But the Holy Donut of Dialogue goes to Apu. I love his quotes like "I hope my store is robbed only three times while I'm driving around," "Move your clumsy vehicle," and "That is a four-wheeled disgrace." But my favorite Apu line is, "Who put this here? It makes no sense!" I also love the graphics, action, humor, and the fact that the vehicle can actually be damaged, and realistically.

Best Food with Title: Donuts

HIDDEN GEM!

[Analog_Devotee · 10/10 · 3 August 2021]

When I bought this game in 2005, I was honestly only following through because, at the very least, maybe it could be a fun novelty game. I had no idea what to expect -- I only conjured another Road Rage esque experience.

But what this is is a Simpsons reskin of GTA, and holy cow is it fun. I come back and beat this game again every couple years or so, and it never fails to provide a great time.

A true hidden gem!

As a 7 year old a soften up open world gta hell to the yeah

[keptabolbe · 10/10 · 5 November 2019]

I can't remember who gifted me a copy but the dvd is still on my shelf can't play it no dvd player.

This game dumb

[crust-61974 · 10/10 · 6 October 2021]

This game is beutfull but it has no reason for the last mission being that difficult.

may b my favorite game ever < 3

[shibesncattos · 9/10 · 7 June 2022]

I'm so lucky 2 have grown up with this game in my childhood < 3. I miss it so much. - & it still holds up so fkn good... it just amazes me, i adore it.

Kid friendly my ass

[slouchypaul · 10/10 · 31 May 2013]

I have read that The Simpson's Hit and Run is a kid friendly version of GTA but I disagree. In level one Marge informs Homer he is late for his work inspection. Homer goes out and tries to murder Mr. Smithers so that his scorpion farm doesn't get discovered. In level 2, Professor Frink says that there are too many people using cell phones. Bart murders 4 people just because they happen to be using cellphones. In level three, Bart's lucky hat falls out of a black sedan. Lisa then goes on to murder three people driving black sedans. After that the sea captain tells Lisa that Bart was in a limo. Lisa then murders the limo driver risking Bart's life in the process. She didn't know that Bart wasn't in the limo. In level 4, Marge murders 3 truck drivers because they are driving trucks delivering the evil colas. Who knows if the drivers knew that the colas was evil? In level 5 Apu and Snake murders a driver of an armored car. Also Apu and Bart murder the museum curator just to get the key to the museum. In level 6 Bart murders Principal Skinner to get the laser gun back. Also Snake has Bart murder Chief Wiggum and a driver of a milk van. In level 7 Professor Frink, Snake, and Grandpa Simpson all die. In conclusion I want to say that this game is very violent.

Intensely fustrating at times but captures the Simpsons perfectly

[Severinplates853 · 7/10 · 17 February 2022]

7.5/10, B tier. It is really hard for me to hate this game as it is such a staple of my PS2 childhood. Whilst I prefer road rage for it's huge levels and crazy taxi like gameplay this is a game that will always remember and like on a personal level.

It is a racing game but you can explore the world on foot, almost like a GTA game with the ammount of things you can do. The world itelf is a perfect example of that from the show. All the locations feel natural and realisically laid out. The iconic places such as the house, school, power plant, Moe's, to name a few, are all really well realised.

The story is pretty cool as well, you don't really know we're it will go next and every Simpsons character is involved. I won't talk about it as it is just so crazy and interesting to see where it goes. You get to play as everyone except Maggie of course because she can't drive. Lisa easily has the best cars and Bart has the best area of Springfield, downtown.

The game is a great interpretation of the Simpsons that is very accurate to the show. The game is always interesting and has so much that fans of the show will love. That being said, there is one major flaw to this game, it is surprisingly one of the most fustrating games I have ever played. I have seen Jerma's stream (The first Jerma stream I watched) but even then I didn't realize it would be as bad as that, and didn't remember it being that difficult at all. It is honestly that bad and whist not struggling as much as Jerma it was a nightmare to get through.

The game is difficult in the unfair way, with timed races ( one of my most hated gaming tropes) having really limited times. You have do do races using nearly every shortcut otherwise you will simply not make it in time. As most of the game revolves around these type of missions it really does make it allot worse.

The other types of missions are not so bad, doing damage to and enemy car, collecting things on foot, but having to avoid a target is awful. The last mission of the game is almost unbearable. It combines all the fustrating parts of the game with having to race, avoid attackers, collect and item (that destroys when you hit something!), all in the space of a minute.

The only reason I got through the game was through advice online. You have to change vehicles for certain missions which makes the game much easier. Still the fact you have to do that is awful, especially as some missions don't allow you to, the last mission included!

Whilst having so many good qualities and was a game I definitely found interesting, it is a game I can't recommend purely because the game is so fustrating. It is still a good game but you have to go through allot of fustration and objectively bad gameplay to apriciate it.

After all these years, they get it right.

[Littlebitsofgaming · 6/10 · 11 January 2007]

This is an "old" game in the gaming world as I write this...but I just re-installed it on my PC and was reintroduced to how good the game was and still is. There have been several Simps based games over the years and every single one of them has been TERRIBLE. This is the only one that get's the right balance between the Simps universe and actual decent gameplay. Many call this The Simpsons meet GTA...not quite. This game bares no relation to GTA other than you can get in and out of cars and run around on foot. Vastly different gameplay styles in this and GTA. What you do get is Springfield split into various sections, so you can't explore the WHOLE of the great city in 1 go. You get 7 levels and each level is based on a separate part of Springfield...some repeated more than once. The basics of the game have you running or driving around completing various tasks for the residents of Springfield (driving, racing, collecting, etc), all of you faves are here in one form or another, and voiced by the original actors too. The story is unimportant, but it involves aliens and cameras hidden in robot bees...who cares? There is plenty to see and do, many references to past Simpsons shows to keep even the biggest Simps fan happy. Hidden missions and side quests aplenty.

My main gripe was, it was too easy. First time I ever played this game I finished each mission first time around, no real challenge for the hardened gamer. Even the side quests and finding "hidden" items/cards was easy as the levels are pretty small really. You can explore, but it won't take long to learn each level inside out due to the lack of size each level is. But it was still fun to play. I had a smile on my face all the way through due to the in jokes and references.

It's not a GREAT game, it just seems great as all the past Simps based games have been so bad. It's just good. The gameplay is nothing really new or revolutionary, but it works just fine. The side quests will give you something to do even if you finish the game and didn't cover them first time around.

But my main query is this...why no sequel after all these years, the only good Simpsons based game and they don't want to follow it up? They were on to something with this game, they could take this idea and improve it vastly now.

For die-hard Simpsons fans *only*... and it helps to be uncritical

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 5/10 · 7 December 2006]

In an attempt to make money off of two popular franchises... those being the GTA and The Simpsons series... this game was (poorly) made. Now, I've been a fan of The Simpsons for the better part of my life. And I liked the original GTA, as well as Vice City. But this is just awful on so many levels. The game, with all factors taken into consideration, is mediocre at best. The control sucks; every time you're not in a car, you have to run around with bad control over your character, who seems to change directions every time the camera changes, which it does almost constantly; furthermore, you can only run in the same direction all the time, you can't change direction while running; you have to stop running, walk in the new direction, and then run again, which is all the more irritating when the camera changes, as you have to change directions again. The car control is also bad; most of the cars seem to instantly stop every time you hit something, which is nearly impossible not to do, as the cars all turn either too fast or too slowly; either in a quick flash, which is way too fast, or unbelievably slow, which will cost you precious time, and will often cause you to lose the mostly time-based missions. The missions consist of mainly time-based driving, either racing another car, or racing to a certain point in the level, with usually only just enough time, which means that you can't make one single mistake(the game actually simply throws more meaningless challenges at you later on, to heighten the difficulty), or slow down or anything, and still win the mission. The camera angles are horrible; most of the time, they're all wrong for what you are trying to do, whether it's trying to walk over some straight line, where falling down will force you to start over again(which most of the walking portions of the game consist of... along with the irritating jumping puzzles). The camera is only good when driving, and, as I mentioned before, the driving portion is very bad(and that's the majority of the game-play). On the plus side, there are plenty of cars in the game, if you have the patience to get them, which mostly consist of either buying them at increasingly large prices(getting to be ludicrously high at the very last levels), winning them in extra races or obtaining them after completing "bonus" missions. The cars are quite diverse, and there is pretty much a car for every liking(and just about every single car in the history of the show is there). There are also a huge number of in-jokes, for the hardcore fans of The Simpsons who've been watching the show since it started. The creators also did a fair job of making Springfield, and most of the well-known landmarks are there. You can go to the Kvik-E-Mart... in the Lil' Bandit, the Canyonero or even the Stutz Bearcat. Levels can be interesting. There are also a number of jokes in the game, but it's mostly the "new" humor, which means it's humiliating, extremely stereotypical or just plain gross, mostly. Nearly no sign of the comedic genius of the earlier episodes. I suppose fans of the new episodes will like it, though. The voices of all of the characters in the game are the actual actors from the show, which is good, I guess, but it's more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. Now, are there comical catchphrases and such, said by the very characters? Yes. And does it get annoying after five minutes of playing? Again, yes... and this time, in italics, with bold letters and yes, even an underlining. Some get annoying after hearing them a few times, but most of them were never funny to begin with. Also, many of them(along with all of the cars) are apparently from the last attempt at a Simpsons-themed car game... Road Rage. Furthermore, several of them contradict what's going on when they are spoken and they're not randomized very well. The police get all over you if you destroy enough property... which is the only way to gain money for the items(required to gain the 100% rating, which is the only thing keeping you playing past the story missions, which don't take very long to complete), past the coins that you can pick up(which there aren't enough of). They're both too difficult and too easy to avoid(getting caught costs you 50 coins, setting you back). The pedestrians seem to intentionally getting in the way, and the cars intentionally driving into you... making it seem as if everyone in the game is against you(*not* a good thing to make pre-teens and teenagers, the main group playing this game, think). Also, you can't die; now, I can understand and appreciate the attempt at not including that in a game meant for the two aforementioned groups, but this just rids the game of a sense of danger. And before anyone says that not all games need to contain that, play five minutes of Heart of Darkness, then five of this game, *then* tell me that I'm in the wrong here. The writing contains little sense, limited creativity and several times, actions which contradict the characters that take them. Rather often, it felt like the writers and level designers weren't on speaking terms. I could spend many more words describing the low points of this game, but I've reached the word-limit on this site. Overall, the game has some good stuff for Simpsons fans, as well as for car/racing/GTA gaming fans, but the repetitive and at times frustratingly difficult game-play makes it barely worth playing at all. For huge Simpsons fans only. I recommend this to fans of The Simpsons who *really* wants to see more of them, and who are totally in love with the idea of being able to play them and drive around in Springfield. Everyone else should skip it. 5/10

The Simpsons Hit & Run (2003)

[simpsonssite9999 · 15 October 2005]

The Simpsons Hit & Run is the best Simpsons game ever, it is much better than The Simpsons Road Rage. In Road Rage There is not much to do you just drive people around Springfield and try to beat 10 missions. In The Simpsons Hit & Run there are over 50 missions they don't make them easy like Road Rage they make them fun and challenging. You can step out of your car and go on foot you can go inside the Kwik-E-Mart, Springfield Elementary, Barts bedroom, the DMV, the Comic Book Shop, and the Observeotory. there are 3 land forms the Suburb, City, and the Seaside area, each land form are packed with buildings and famous land marks like Mr. Burn's Mansion, or the Stonecutturs lodge of tunnel.

It's fun to smash things!

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 6/10 · 29 January 2005]

Grand Theft Simpsons is a great idea. But the execution is not in regards to this game. It may look wonderful but the graphics are not without their annoying flaws and while the voice cast may be great the initial hilarity quickly gives way to tedium.

Simpsons: Hit and Run is an average game. It has a lot of coolness to it but also a lot of crappiness that severely cripples enjoyment.

Pros:

-Zillions of in jokes

-It's incredibly cute

-Some nice moments in the music

-Some of the levels look simply gorgeous

-The levels are big enough without being too big and there's lots to explore.

-The cut-scenes are brilliant!

-It's got a better plot than the lame, tired TV show has had in years.

Cons:

-Not enough ways to make money

-Money is all too easily taken from you

-Many cool things are available to buy but there isn't enough money in the level to buy them

-All missions are timed and involve collecting things

-Traffic jams occur faaaar too easily and they are very, very hard to get out of

-Wherever you want to go, a hundred cars will be blocking your way

-Many kinds of car are available, but they're all crap

-Certain cars are required for certain missions but for no real reason

-When the Police are after you it's almost impossible to get away

-The police will come after you too quickly and easily

-Whenever you desperately need a car there won't be one for miles

-Many, MANY opportunities for amazing stunts are ignored, most of the time the game will simple fade out and then back in rather than show a cool crash

-There's not really that much interaction with the environment

-There is no proper mapping system

-The camera often gets stuck

-Since when was Springfield a vast metropolis?

I'll admit that I simply gave up on this game, it's just absolutely IN-FUR-I-ATING. I wanted to crush the controls with my hand and smash in my TV screen in uncontrollable, blind, ugly rage. THAT is what this game will do to you. The poor programming and unfair disadvantages will drive you crazy. If this is the kind of game you like (and why?) then go ahead. For the rest of us who rely on skill and strategy (and not just luck) in order to get through video games, we'll calmly put this game aside and move onto something else.

Guess What? Your Childhood Lied !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[michael-892-52682 · 5/10 · 6 February 2012]

If you are a younger fan of The Simpsons I'm sorry to tell you this but The Simpsons: Hit and Run isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'll admit when I was younger about 6,7,8 I enjoyed this game now I'm 16 and I know how games work now and I have recently played this game again and to be honest... it sucks. OK before I start a landslide of hate I'll get the good things out the way first. The story is quite good and well put together it's stupid but enjoyable and just like an episode of the show. The voice acting is passable the main characters Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Apu all sound great but others aren't to good to say the least. Characters like Burns, Snake and Skinner sound awful and the actors who voice them are the ones who voice them in the show and to me it's not acceptable. Now to the bad. The driving is the main crux of the game but it is so inconsistent it is painful, however it is never spot on it's either to loose or too stiff and the last few missions of the game require pin-point accuracy when it comes to your driving. The graphics can range from bad to horrible and that was by the standards then. Overall it's a hard game to recommend if you are a die hard Simpsons fan go pick it up, as for everyone else stick to other games of it's type such a GTA, Saints Row, Just Cause 2 you are bound to have more fun and a less painful experience.

Awsome Simpsons Game.

[Ashki · 30 December 2003]

I've played this game for both the Playstation II, and the Gamecube, and its got to easily be the best Simpsons game thats ever been made. The voice acting and the graphics are perfect.

IF your into the Simpsons, then this is a must get game.

Finally! GTA for The Simpsons fanatic! (or at least something like it)

[YourMomInAGorillaSuit · 19 February 2006]

It has been almost 2 years since I got this game. What I really like about it is that the missions are really fun and some of the cars are really cool (my favorites are the Ferreni and the Homer) But the game gets wicked hard after level 3.And the traffic is ridiculous, you hit one car and they don't move. And the police just magically appear out of someone's driveway when you hit something.

I think that they should have had more than 7 levels because that way you could enjoy the game some more. I also think that Grampa,not Apu should have been on level 5. After all he is a part of The Simpson family.

What really ticked me off is that they had no girl testers. (before you put the game on the market you test it) Being a girl myself I loved this game and many other video games and if they make another Hit and run, they should consider having girl testers Overall it was a fun game

wow!!!

[Gunner1234106573 · 12 September 2004]

This game is one of the best games in my collection of games. I had it for Christmas and it was excellent, after a while it wears a bit thin but still is excellent.

If you have not got this game yet (which you should have by now!!!!) then get it quick. I can safely say this game is way better the Simpsons: road rage. I mean, the graphics are better, you can go on foot as well as in a car and you go in any old car not just the one you start of with. You can also change your clothes, kick mechanical wasps and chase black vans. what more would you want in a video game and its all about the Simpsons.

Homer won't be Dohing over this game!

[Robbie14 · 31 December 2003]

(Slight Spoilers) I just got this game for Christmas, and I have to say it's one of the coolest games ever!

In Springfield, weird things have been going on. Black vans, giant robotic wasps, and video cameras have been seen throughout town! Who is doing this?! Only the Simpsons can find out! Oh, and Apu as well.

In the last Simpsons game, ''Road Rage'', you could only stay in the car. But now you can travel on-foot! Not only that, you can let the players go in other vehicles than their defaults! You must do certain missions to go to the next level. There are bonus missions in where you can unlock stuff like cars. You'll also see trading cards, where if you collect all of them in a level, you get a bonus track to race in. If you collect all the cards in all the levels, you get to unlock an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon!

If you're a fan of Simpsons or action/adventure games, this'll be one you won't afford to miss.

One of the best

[dimitriskats · 9 February 2004]

OK, ok, the bonus game is not worth the effort of collecting cards. My angle is this: Try 1600 x 1200. Now, glorious animation oozes out of your monitor. I give it a solid 9. Just remember, it's only a game. TIP: Don't use mouse look, use arrow keys and space for handbrake. Git aout of the vay!!

Playing Hit & Run is like watching a new episode of the Simpsons...

[SSJAniFan · 13 January 2004]

(possible spoilers) ......in other words, you could wind up hating them for it. How can I say anything else? This game is AWFUL. It's made by the people who made Road Rage. That, while not perfect, was a nice little detour for Simpsons fans. This, however, takes RR and spits over it.

The graphics are the EXACT same. The vehicles are the EXACT time. And the lines of dialogue used when the characters say some humorous line are the EXACT same. Yes, nearly everything from Road Rage is reused over here. I can honestly say that at times I forgot which game I was playing. The plot? Not a single bit funny. I didn't laugh a bit during the game, unlike Road Rage or the Futurama title. The story of an alien invasion tied in with a soda conspiracy is as lame as it sounds.

And the gameplay is less than up to par. The missions are horrible, either consisting of fetch quests, races or "destroy-the-car," missions(and good luck trying to complete that), and believe me, they are not fun to play at all. And with the horrid AI, it feels like every computer character in the game is against you. No joke, they will constantly swerve into you on purpose, and constantly set you back. And after you fail at these unfun missions, usually thanks to the AI I might add, for about the 10th time, you will be ready to scream.

I remember hating Star Wars: Episode 1: Racer like there was no tomorrow, but then this came out........ and I must say it is one of the biggest pieces of trash in existence. Don't believe me? I was looking forward to this game, and eagerly bought it my first day of college. The next day, I sold it off, disgusted at how bad it had been.

I usually don't say this, as I usually respect what the others say, even if I don't agree with it, but concerning a game this bad, I will make an exception: Don't listen to what the other reviewers have said. This game is the worst in existence.

AVOID THIS GAME AT ALL COSTS.

My score: -10 out of 10.

BIG SPOILERS! *the game story*

[ptanderson1987 · 28 September 2007]

This game rocks! And I'm here to tell you the game story. Here we go! SPOILER: Homer discovers Buzz Cola, the latest craze and gets addicted; as well as that, Homer notices strange wasp cameras and black sedans which seem to lead to Mr. Burns which is a coincidence and a worse embarrassment than the time Homer was disqualified from the hot dog eating contest. So now we're onto level 2 with Bart, notice the card on top of Jebadiah's head. Bart's after Bonestorm II, the latest and most violent game out. Which leads him to escape from Skinner, collect illegal fireworks and help Frink to create a death fire-breathing dinosaur killing machine! Which leads up to Bart getting abducted by aliens and Lisa stopping at nothing to find him. (In L3, watch out for the mission where Milhouse stalks Lisa!) Lisa helps Comic Book Guy, Milhouse, Apu, and even Captain McCallister. When she does find him, he is knocked up (not the drunk knocked up the crazy knocked up) and Marge goes through strange crop circles to find out the truth. And that's just the first half of the game! :-)