The Simpsons: Hit & Run (PS2)

Like many of the more recent Simpsons games Hit & Run is primarily a racing game--a racing game that's very obviously using Grand Theft Auto as its primary inspiration. There's less swearing and gore but just as much running people over and driving lots of different vehicles. You can't steal them off the street, admittedly, and the missions are presented in a much more linear fashion, but otherwise this is GTA: Springfield through and through.

Somewhat embarrassingly for GTA, the on-the-foot sections are actually handled rather better than Rockstar's game, with a fairly non-rubbish camera and a decent control system that actually makes the occasional platform sections rather fun.

Most of the game is about driving, though, whether it be racing Principle Skinner to school in order to give Lisa her homework or helping Bart buy some illegal fireworks from around town. It's only when controlling underage characters such as Bart that the game's concept really starts to seem peculiar (he only drives unmotorised vehicles) but otherwise the addition of all the proper voice actors from the TV show make this the first Simpsons game ever that is in any way worthy of a purchase. --David Jenkins

Graphics: The graphics are really good and I can't make any complaints about them. 5/5

Gameplay: You take the part of one the Simpsons or Apu (the character changes each level). You have to work through 7 missions, 1 bonus mission, 3 street races and a couple of extra things on each level. Most of the missions involve collecting, destroying or avoiding. Some missions involve a mix. The gameplay is quite fun and will entertain you for quite a while. However, it is a bit repetative. 4/5

Story: The storyline is pretty good and as you would expect, quite funny. You will enjoy unravelling it as you play through the missions. It lacks detail though. 4/5

Unlockables: The game has lots of unlockables; movies, cars, areas, etc. I like my games to have unlockables in, because it gives you something to work towards. 5/5

Play Time/Replayability: It doesn't take that long to complete the missions, but there is plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied, such as collector cards or gags. It isn't a great game for playing again. 3/5

Sound(s):The sound is good and the voices and phrases are just like in the show. 5/5

Multiplayer: The game has a multiplayer mode in which you can race with up to four players. You have to unlock this mode and each of the tracks. It is quite fun to play this, as you can also play it by yourself against the 'bots', as you may call them. 4/5

Buy Or Rent: I would suggest buying it. However some of the more serious gamers may want to rent it for a week.

Overall: 88% - I highly recommend this to anyone, especially Simpsons fans.


da' bomb   October 29, 2003
20 out of 40 found this review helpful

this game is great i have played it in America. this has great graphics and free-roaming worlds. however dont expect hardcore action for that get Grand theft auto.This is basically Grand theft auto for kids.im not gonna bore you so i recommend you buy this if your a diehard fan a but if not give it a miss and buy something that will tax your brain.


Good, But when will "game mimmicking" end?!   February 22, 2004
18 out of 21 found this review helpful

The Simpsons games have been a huge dissapointment up to now, with "The Simpsons Road Rage" and "The simpsons Skateboarding" being dubbed copy's of pervious games. This game has also been based loosley around the "Grand Theft Auto" series, taking out weapons and such like.

Something never lacked in the simpsons games however has been the graphics quality, always constant the clean-cut simpsons characters have been displayed in the best possible format, 3D.

Much like the newly released "Futurama" game this game allows for freedom of movement, not restricting user to mindless following of the screen. Unlike "Futurama" though, this game has a great depth and attention to detail that was sadly lacked in the previous simpsons games. Great detail is taken so user is able to enjoy Springfield in all of its glory with every possible character cared for.

Along your journey through the simpsons universe you encounter endless characters from the much loved tv show, all giving you you're money's worth in terms of comedical value. Sadly though missions are greatly restricted to car-chases, collecting items, and such like, giving very little to look forward to.

At first you will be fixated on this little universe unable to remove yourself from its grasp, but given a day at most you're pleasure from this game will be reduced dramatically.

Overall I believe this to be a good game, detail, length and graphics of the game are most deffinatly not missing, but when it comes down to it, there just isn't enough variation.


An extremely early opinion on the forthcoming simpsons game   August 13, 2003
16 out of 54 found this review helpful

Now we all know past simpsons game having exactly been a big success. And the main appeal for these games is the novelty of the world of springfield. And sure enough it will most probaly work for this game aswell. But for this 'GTA' style outing for the simpson family it appears that the game developers radical entertainment have returned to produce another simpson game. You may remember they developed, in my opinion, the most successful game to date, simpsons road rage. And also a change of publisher could be an improvement, with vivendi universal taking over from EA. So far I have viewed afew screens of the game on the website ps2.ign.com, and from what I can see it looks o.k. Pretty much same old road rage style. As for the storyline I cannot say, as I do not believe that has been fully revealed yet. We can only take clues from the title of the game 'hit and run', as to a GTA style game. But not too much violence etc. as the rating is only and 11+. But lets please hope that finally we may see a decent simpsons game, but I would not fear my friends as anything will be an improvement from simpsons skateboarding.