If you've been playing video games for a while, then it stands to reason that you have probably stumbled across one or two games based on The Simpsons in your time. A whole bunch of these have been made available to Nintendo systems throughout the years (19 to be exact) and they range in quality from yeah, really rather good to I hate video games and I hate The Simpsons.
While it may have seemed like a done deal from the get-go, we set out to find which of these games is the best and who better to ask than you, our lovely readers? We roped in you fine folks to rate every Simpsons game that you have played out of ten, and below you'll find the results.
One obvious omission, but something we have to talk about, is The Simpsons Arcade. This arcade brawler has been ported to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, but never to a Nintendo console. Come on, Konami — you're aware of your arcade back catalogue, and you gave us The Cowabunga Collection! Or perhaps DotEmu could give us a Shredder's Revenge-style sequel? Mmmm, nostalgia...
Of course, the magic of this list is that it is by no means definitive! The current order is all based on the games' overall User Ratings and it is updated in real-time. This means that if you didn't have the chance to rate your favourite game and still want to get involved, then you can click on any of the Star Ratings below and rate the game out of ten. And you'll see the list change right before your eyes.
So, without further ado, let's head over to Springfield and see which game came out on top...
19. The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man (NES)
Making Bartman the main character of a video game is a no-brainer, and Imagineer seemingly understood that. With the potential to create something goofy, full of the show's trademark humour, and with extra creativity, The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man should've been a hit.
Things start off well, at least. From some good-looking cutscenes to a decent opening level full of tricky platforming, we got a good sense of what was to come. However, the NES-style difficulty really ramps up. Remember all of those jumps in Ninja Gaiden and Castlevania, where you can't see what's ahead of you? Yep, those are here. Plus, there's no password system, meaning if we die, that's it. While it starts off well, it falls short of our high expectations, and of yours too, readers.
18. Virtual Bart (SNES)
A Simpsons game full of different playstyles sounds good on paper, but Virtual Bart has a pretty big obstacle in the way that stops it from being fun — poor controls.
It's a funny game, we'll give it that. Bart as the lead is a perfect choice, and the amusing set-up of each of the games, along with his trademark quips and jokes, gave us a chuckle. But when riding a dinosaur across a landscape or escaping a factory as a pig feels like travelling through molasses, then patience will be tested. Especially when the game is as finicky and difficult as it is — there's no real reward aside from the novelty or the humour. And that's a darn shame.
17. The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror (GBC)
![The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror (GBC)](https://static.nintendolife.com/blank.gif)
The Simpsons: Night of the Living Treehouse of Horror is a good-looking late Game Boy Color title for sure, but if you've played any other 2D side-scrolling Simpsons game, then you already know what you're getting with this one. This is a real shame because the Treehouse of Horror theming deserves more.
We'll start with the good first. The levels. Each character gets their own unique level with a different style or horror feel. So Marge will get to tackle zombies, while one of Homer's turns our donut lover into a vampire hunter. But, despite the lick of paint, there are very few differences in the levels. Stages reuse assets and stick to similar level layouts, so you might be charmed by the theme, but you'll soon be bored to death. It doesn't help that this game Boy Color title gets pretty frustrating, too. What could've been a perfect Halloween game just turns into a bit of a handheld horrorshow.
16. Bart Simpson's Escape from Camp Deadly (GB)
Attempting to join in with the many other cracking platformers that were coming to the Game Boy in the early 1990s, Bart Simpson's Escape From Camp Deadly appears to be much like its Super Mario Land-esque compatriots on a surface level, though it is let down by frustratingly arbitrary difficulty and lack of originality.
Sent to a summer camp run by Ironfist Burns and filled with bullies, Bart and Lisa attempt to escape unharmed and make it to safety. The game has some good platforming ideas with a range of Simpsons-inspired weapons that Bart can wield against the enemies, though, when compared to other platformers around at the time, it's somewhat uninspired. It doesn't help that the game actually bears very little resemblance to the TV show. Yes, Bart, Lisa and a handful of other Springfield residents pop up here and there, though the links to the prior seasons of television are few and far between.
15. The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World (NES)
Released almost immediately after The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants, this title was a much more standard platformer. And while it doesn't reinvent the wheel with its level design, The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World does come with improved controls, which is a big bonus if you've played any early Simpsons games. This, plus the simplicity of the game, made it an all-around more enjoyable experience.
Bart vs. the World gets one other crucial thing right — the globe-trotting level structure introduces far more references to The Simpsons TV show than ever before. You also get to face off against a number of Mr Burns' extended family members. The game may not be a classic by any means, but it at least felt like a part of The Simpsons universe, unlike a few other games bearing the show's name.
14. The Itchy & Scratchy Game (SNES)
Not to be confused with The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness, The Itchy & Scratchy Game is billed as being the definitive starring title for The Simpsons' in-universe TV characters. Except, of course, it isn't.
Unlike its golf-themed counterpart, The Itchy & Scratchy Game is much closer to a platformer. You play as Itchy and have to hold off hoards of oncoming Scratchys by disposing of them in classically gruesome ways with axes, throwing stars, swords and a whole host of similarly OTT options. After dispatching a pre-determined number of the cat antagonist, you have to take on a boss-version to complete the level before doing something very similar in the next location. It's ridiculously repetitive, but somewhat captures the mind-numbing violence-without-reason of the popular Springfield skit.
13. The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk (GB)
Less to do with The Simpsons and more to do with (you guessed it) Jack and the Beanstalk, The Simpsons: Bart & the Beanstalk uses the popular TV series to retell the classic fairytale with some annoyingly precise platforming to boot. You play out all of the cow-selling, beanstalk-climbing, giant-escaping plot beats that everyone knows so well here, only this time, it's got some Simpsons characters in it! That's a cool addition... right?
Perhaps it would be if this didn't return to the frustrating and fiddly formula Simpsons fans have had to put up with in earlier games. But the setting and the visuals give this a rather lovely and unique aesthetic compared to other Simpsons games. The chance to see Springfield's finest in a world outside of their own is always a good time, after all.
12. The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Juggernauts (GB)
Something of a strange crossover between The Simpsons and the knockout game show American Gladiators, The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Juggernauts is based around a series of minigames where Bart competes in a Gladiators-style competition. The minigames range in challenge level and requirements, from a shoving contest in Moe's Tavern to a game similar to basketball but with electrified floor tiles. Ouch.
As a collection of smaller games, Bart vs. The Juggernauts holds together pretty well. Some of the minigames are more enjoyable than others, but each offers a good level of easy entertainment across the game's relatively short playtime. There are four different levels and with every challenge based on a different Simpsons character, there are plenty of fun references to enjoy in this above-average Simpsons game.
11. The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness (GB)
The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness dares ask the question, "What if Simpsons platformer, but golf?"
The result is a game which is part-side-scroller, part-golf sim, and it is overall a pretty good time. You play as Scratchy who is moving away from the mouse torment of his sketch show appearances in The Simpsons for a few rounds of mini golf. Except, of course, life is rarely that simple. Between putts, you will have to dodge incoming mouse attacks and dispose of Itchy in some appropriately gruesome ways. It can be frustrating, but the fact that it takes a swing for the hills makes this a notable Simpsons game.
10. The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants (NES)
The Simpsons: Bart vs the Space Mutants was the first proper attempt at making a platformer set within the world of The Simpsons rather than simply a standard side-scroller which just so happens to have Simpsons characters in it. As Bart, you get to take on a wave of aliens who have taken over Springfield.
To foil their plans, you must complete an objective in each level (removing purple items, popping balloons — you know, good old anti-alien stuff). The result is a reasonably competent platformer, although one which has controls so fiddly that very few people managed to get past the preliminary levels when the game was first released in 1991.
Comments 34
Technically not its own game, but I'd recommend the Simpsons DLC for Lego Dimensions (if you can find it). Short but fun, and you can explore Springfield. I played it on Xbox, but it was on Wii U too.
hit & run is overrated, it’s ok for a car game but bart vs the space mutants is the first simpsons games for nintendo on nes and although difficult it’s a memorable fun game, the streets of springfield, the mall, the fair with sideshow bob, the museum stage and finally the power plant that i never made it too, I love that game, so many memories of playing it
That’s a lot of average games for one franchise tbh. I’m sure the arcade would be top of this list maybe the makers of streets of rage 4 could make a simpsons arcade 2?
How is the GBC Treehouse of Horror game so low on the list? That's one of the better handheld titles, which isn't saying a whole lot, to be fair, but still... and just what were they snorting when they threw Bart and the Beanstalk together?
I really enjoyed Road Rage on GBA, but probably because I had the benefit of playing it "via other means" and didn't have to deal with the cheapskate publisher's choice to include an archaic password system in the 2000s rather than include the ability to save the damn game.
I played the GameCube edition of Road Rage earlier this year and really enjoyed it. The sound bites are horribly repetitive though, but the feedback on the GameCube controller was awesome (I wish I could grab another three at a reasonable price so I could effectively use my laptop as a portable GameCube).
The Simpsons Game on DS is arguably better than the Wii instalment, which had awful, awful controls (and GameSpot wasn't exaggerating in their review back in the day). Just absolutely shocking. I only just tolerated it due to my love for the classic years, but had it been any other game, and I wouldn't have made it past the first level. Terrible.
For all of the general suckiness of The Simpsons games in the 90s, I would be all over a compilation of classic Simpsons games with save states, borders, and such.
I'm also reluctant to see any re-releases of The Simpsons Game, Road Rage, or Hit & Run, especially if they retrospectively re-record the dialogue for certain characters.
We need a Simpsons collection like the Turtles one! Does anyone remember The Simpsons Cartoon Studio (1996) on PC? That was a lot of fun too, you could make your own mini Simpsons episodes.
I played The Simpsons Game on the Wii only because we got it as a present. It was actually decent. I have never heard of a lot of the other Simpsons games mentioned here to be honest bar the GCN games.
@Clyde_Radcliffe That would depend on Disney as they now own the rights to Simpsons.
Bart's Nightmare is an overall fun time ? This game is one of the most awful from the Creation.
Both game from the SNES are unplayable. I even can't understand how some of the NES ones (which are not good too) can be less rated than Virtual Bart.
Or... people just not played them. We should have a number of votes per game.
Every simsons game ranges from awful to average at best... tho i did sink many hours into roadrage just because i love the show seasons 3-8 maybe 2-11
The Wii version of The Simpsons Game is perhaps the closest a video game has come to replicating an episode of the TV show it's based on.
Um... I'm afraid (even though later) South Park did it!
Y'all forgot Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge
@Silly_G what's wrong with the controls? The ps3 version's fine.
The fact you have to get inside the top five before any of the Simpsons' virtual output crests the 70-plus percent review score threshold says it all, really. I liked Bart vs the Juggernauts back in the day, mind. Couldn't get anywhere in it, but it was suitably daft to my eight year old sensibilities.
Worst... list... ever.
I had a feeling Hit & Run would be #1 on this list. It's usually considered one of the best, if not THE best, Simpsons game in existence. My brother owns the game, but neither of us has beaten it yet. The last part of the game always stumps us. We run out of time every single time.
Maybe I'll go back and play it properly, especially since we skipped a lot of missions because we couldn't beat them. Plus, now that I've played GTA (especially GTA V), I have a better grasp of the controls, so I might have an easier time of it.
I hope one day the publishers and Disney allow for re-release collection type game.
Going down the list, it’s amusing to see how many entries it takes to squeak above a score of 6.
It’s almost criminal that we haven’t gotten a Simpsons console game in 15 years considering how many Simpsons games we got on the NES and the SNES.
@Pj1 The publisher rights are probably a mess since both Acclaim and THQ are both bankrupt.
Lol how can Bart's Nightmare be 5th place? The lived up to it's name. however, I never played any other Simpson game, but how bad can they be if Bart's Nightmare hits 5th place?
could it be, that the votes are not balanced by how many people voted for one game?
@NF6429 : I specifically commented on the Wii version. You can check any number of reviews from back in the day that criticise its awful controls.
@mazzel
This is exactly what I wrote earlier. Both Snes games are awful. And this is not by comparing with what is doing now : even when the games were published, everybody could see it !
Space mutants is bad too, but it was frustrating, not unplayable. This is how I experienced the game as a kit for the Nes one, and as a young teenager for the second.
I love Bart Vs. The Space Mutants.
I purchased the computer version in the early 1990s and was able to finish the game, never found it too hard (not compared to some other games from around that same time).
I have since then also played the NES version. I did have a NES (back in the day) but saw no point in buying the same game twice - so did not play the NES version until many years later.
My favourite level in the game would be Krustyland.
So, when can we expect a Hit and Run remaster? Hmm?
@Silly_G Seconded. Wiichuck is the suck for this otherwise fun time
I didn't know most of the games on the list existed, but I have very fond memories of Bart vs the World and Space Mutants. SM was really hard to play because of controls, which made me lose lives often. Jumping was not precise at all but the objectives in each stage were really cool thirty years ago
I remember really enjoying Bart's Nightmare when I was a kid. But I haven't played it in almost two decades, so I can't really remember much about it. Other than getting really mad at the Itchy & Scratchy level.
remaster the arcade game and/or a sequel would be (Burns voice)excellent.
The Simpsons Game for DS was one of my favorite games as a kid. I played the heck out of it, it was a pretty solid platformer.
Also, and I’m surprised this didn’t get a mention, but the “Pet Homer” minigame is hilarious. It’s basically a Nintendogs parody where you can use the stylus to feed Homer, but it’s surprisingly fun. Oh, and sometimes Homer will get a heart attack from all the junk food so you need to use a defibrillator lol. Good times.
Ah, I remember wanting to get The Simpson’s Hit and Run on the GameCube with the money I saved up back in grade school and my parents wouldn’t let me due to the age rating. I’ll order a copy online sometime lol.
I also remember playing The Simpson’s Game on the XBOX 360 a lot at my neighbor’s house when that came out. It was actually a lot of fun in co-op, although I was 10 years old playing it.
@NKR I used to have "Bart's Nightmare" on Genesis, and some of the games were pretty fun. The two big problems are:
1) The hub world is absolutely no fun to play and is very difficult. I could never manage to play more than 2 or 3 games before being forced to wake up into a game over.
2) Neither the manual nor the game itself provide proper instructions nor game mechanic details on how to play the various side games.
They didn't even provide a list of which color door leads to which game, so I always just picked a random door, and if I would up on the collapsing pillar game, I'd die almost immediately due to having no idea what I was supposed to do beyond the basic objective of jumping between pillars without collapsing them.
In the modern age of GameFAQs, I would probably enjoy it more if I hadn't sold the game many years ago, though.
I tried renting the Wii version of "The Simpsons Game" once, but I gave up a few levels in after struggling with the absolutely horrible camera. Maybe I'd enjoy the DS version?
Man I would love to get a Simpsons collection or some rerelease of old games, especially on the switch. It’s such a pitty Disney own so many great franchises now, their just sitting on a lot of these great old games, old Disney, marvel, Simpsons games.. they should all be evergreen.. so many great titles locked away.
Played Bart vs space mutants, barts nightmares and hit and run, all fantastic games. Would love to get these games… but sadly Disney is more into politics then making money… it is encouraging to see some IPs being given new life. Fingers crossed.. Disney afternoon collection for switch, Simpsons, marvel vs capcom, castle of illusion, quack shot, Simpsons arcade, captain America and the avengers, X-men arcade, aliens vs predator, so many gems.
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