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Simpsons: Hit & Run, The

EMAIL PRINT pc

6.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 23 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Vivendi Universal

Developer: Radical Entertainment

Genre(s): Racing, Driving, Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: November 11, 2003

Summary

The Simpsons Hit & Run is a mission-based driving game featuring out-of-the-car platform action, the interactive world of Springfield,and the signature humor of the Simpsons. New story and dialogue crafted by writers from The Simpsons television show. All character voices supplied by the cast of The Simpsons television show. Over 56 missions in 7 huge levels. Explore Springfield on foot as Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge,and Apu. Hidden pick-ups containing trivia material from 300-plus episodes of The Simpsons. [Vivendi Universal]

Cheat Codes & Hints: IGN Insider Guide

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

GameNow

Laugh-out-loud comic quips ("I blame society!" Homer yells when he runs someone over) and endless sight gags round out this very pretty—and ever-so-animated—picture.

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GameSpy

Unlike many console-to-PC ports, it's clear that the developers loaded up the PC version with as much high-res art as possible, which looks even better than the Xbox version.

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Computer Games Magazine

This "Grand Theft Springfield" perfectly captures everything that makes the show great: the writing, the setting, the humor, and most importantly, the characters. [Mar 2004, p.72]

Computer Gaming World

Relentlessly funny, constantly entertaining, and a total joy to play. For Simpsons fans (and is there anyone who isn't one?), it's nothing less than a must-have game. [Feb 2004, p.64]

Da Gameboyz

It's been a while since I caught myself laughing out loud while playing a game. The game play is simple and really is an escape from some of the mind numbing titles out there.

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GameZone

The Simpsons’ universe is so well conceived in Hit & Run that you can’t help but feel charmed by the atmosphere.

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Gamer's Hell

Having been a fan of The Simpsons for many years the gags and references alone were enough to keep me happy, and the main game itself was great fun.

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Game Over Online

It feels like S:HAR is more of a Simpson’s comedy experience than just a driving game...It’s really all the extras that make this game enjoyable, and they’re all Simpson’s extras, so if you’re not a Simpson’s person, you’re probably not going to care for it.

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IGN

Though it's undeniably the perfect game for Simpsons fans, it's not the perfect game. A few shortcuts have been taken in terms of polish and veterans of "Grand Theft Auto" won't find that the title holds much surprise beyond the use of the license.

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FiringSquad

Random hilarious run-ins occur frequently, many times when they aren't even scripted. And for a show that has virtually nothing to do with driving, it's impressive to see a Springfield with seamlessly integrated wacky vehicles, destructive driving (Canyonero! - it's in the game, baby), and unexpected donut theft.

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Game Chronicles

While some gamers may be turned off by the game’s simplicity, Simpsons fans should be encouraged to enjoy this highly polished, eminently charming and enjoyable Simpsons driving adventure.

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Gamer.tv

A very polished and enjoyable product, and anyone with a passable interest in The Simpsons will appreciate the attention lavished on Hit & Run's details.

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GameSpot

It creates the most accurate representation of the world of Springfield ever put into a game, and it manages to make the gameplay surrounding it quite a lot of fun.

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Worth Playing

The camera and controls can be a little flakey at times and some of the missions can go from being repetitive to just about impossible. However, there is just too much that has been done right to capture the characters and the town of Springfield to hold this game back from a good recommendation.

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GMR Magazine

Hit & Run's gameplay is entertaining without the license, but the license considerably enhances the fun, and you can't for ask for anything more from a tie-in.

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PC Gamer

Any repetition is mollified by the fact that you really do have the run of Springfield. [Jan 2004, p.105]

GameShark

With a healthy mission-based storyline and tons of collectables, this is a game with a good lifespan, and one that is easy to introduce non-gamers to.

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1UP

A must purchase for a child interested in but forbidden to play GTA 3, Hit and Run also appeals to the avid or casual viewer of the show who might be looking for something entertaining that retains actual gameplay.

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GamerFeed

The levels are all extremely repetitive, and the graphics are sub par. But if you love Simpson's trivia, this is definitely chalk full of it.

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Armchair Empire

Overall, I really like this game, but the difficulty really puts me in a tight spot - no matter how fun the game is to begin with, it loses appeal quickly as the game becomes insane.

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Gamer's Pulse

Tries to avoid the woes of its predecessors by injecting some modern, albeit derivative, gameplay, but fails to really explore the platform it is built upon.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.7 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Dude Richman gave it a3:
This game blows for several reasons. Jokes are funny first, maybe twice, but then become REALLY repetitive. Trust me, after you hear the same joke 25 times it is really boring. You always do the same style missions. Driving is really horrible in this game and all missions are about driving. So, horrible driving engine and doing it all the time leads to really crap core gaming. Collecting items is pointless, utterly pointless. You only get money for cars which might be somehow useful, but you do this by default. The extra cartoon clip is not worth going for, I bet you can watch it on some clip site such as YouTube instead. Most missions have a tough learning curve, you must learn short-cuts. It gets really frustrating and annoying. As Prof. would say: "Oh Dear, Oh My". Driving into ANYTHING damages your car and most explode very quickly. Destroying things increases a police meter and they will hunt you. Is there any point to this? You pay them a find and lose some time if you are on the clock. This can harm you, but really fails to deliver some kind of feature. Either have no police, or make it easier not to drive into anything. Speaking of that, the other drivers on the road make Sunday drivers look like F1 heroes. They just cannot drive and often block your path because of their stupidity. Avoid this game, even thought most reviews say it's good. I am shocked they give such high review scores because they must be playing it for 10 minutes, laugh at the jokes and then put it away. Even if you are a Simpsons fan you will not enjoy this.

Sotamarsu gave it a4:
It's like another GTA copy, but only Simpsons make it fun. And those phrases are annoing to hear another thousand times. Played it through in 2004 and can't remember anything else from this than ZOMBIES in the end.

Goober gave it a3:
This game sucks. i only like it for the characters and the jokes and cars but it has bad gameplay.

Uni corn gave it a6:
pros: Easy gameplay, cool car selection, its fun to just drive around without doing missions cons: Insanely hard last mission, cartoony graphics, phrases pis you off after you've herad them over and over again, script writers of the new seasons have proved themselves crappy once again, comes no where near the quality of grand theft auto overview: Well, what could i say... just buy Grand Theft Auto (if you could) and get the same game with the exception of the onnoying phrases, ugly graphics, stupid story, and level after level of easyness til the last mission where it took me 5 trillion time to do the mission! Just do not buy this game...promise?

Charlie W. gave it a9:
Truly, a gaming masterpiece! The only complaint I can muster is that the multiplayer race courses are rather disappointing.

Chris P. gave it a 10:
IT ROCKS!

Tony Y. gave it an 8:
Best.Simpsons game.Ever?? YES! FINALLY! A GOOD SIMPSONS GAME. To summerize the game for you,there are weird black vans and wasps and buzz cola crap all around Springfield.Something's weird in springfield so your favourite family are up to stop with the what the hell is going on? You have to complete missions.Its either destroying a car,looking for objects,or racing someone.Since they're are 50 missions,they are pretty much all the same but gets even moere frustating as you progress through the game.The game is REALLY repetitive.You do the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over AGAIN.It's still really fun.Funny one-liners,great graphics,and its the best simpsons game out there.A non-simpsons fan might not like it because the gameplay is lacking variety but simpsons lovers (as myself) will love this.Its a must-buy for any simpsons fan and can be a great rental for non-simpsons fan.

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Simpsons: Hit & Run, The

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