If you grew up watching The Simpsons, and as it’s been on air since 1989 I’m assuming you did, then there is a chance that you have also played The Simpsons Arcade Game. If you have, then you will be pleased to know that it will once again be returning to your life, and if you haven’t, well, here’s an opportunity for you to become just a little bit cooler.
In 1991, The Simpsons Arcade Game made an appearance in the lives of The Simpsons fans. It was always the most popular game at the arcades and bowling alleys, and for good reason; its game play was similar to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game, but players got to hear “eat my shorts” repeatedly while beating people up.
I’d like to think that Bart, my favorite character to play as, contributed to the plethora of insults and snarky behavior that I carry with me to this day.
The game begins with an intro of Smithers trying to steal a diamond for Mr. Burns. After some comedic fumbling, Maggie ends up using the diamond as her pacifier, and Smithers steals not just the diamond, but also the baby, as any rational adult would do. As a player, it is your job to give chase and try to save Maggie from Smithers and his decrepit old boss, Mr. Burns, while hundreds of goons stand in your way. You get to choose between the remaining four family members and their bizarre weapon of choice: Marge has a vacuum cleaner, Homer punches and kicks in a doughnut filled rage, Bart uses his skateboard, and Lisa becomes a crazy dominatrix and starts using her jump rope as a whip.
So what does this have to do with you now? Well, Xbox Live and the Playstation Network have re-released the game, no quarters required.
Game play is similar to the original, the graphics are as pixilated as they were in 1991, and for 800 Microsoft Points, you can play as long as you want. The newly released version allows you to choose between arcade style (you choose which player you want to be and pretty much go at it alone) or as a united group. Go forth and relive your childhood, or someone else’s childhood, even if it’s for the epic music alone.
