The Simpsons Arcade Game

It’s hard to view a 20 year old game on its current relevance. The Simpsons Arcade Game is one of those glorious bouts of nostalgia that walks the hair-thin edge between retro marvel and horrifically dated product. The modern adaptation to consoles does try to throw a bunch of elements in order to make it more current, but if that is enough to save the core product from failure is a tough one to decide.

Let’s be honest, if the presentation were in any case relevant, this game would score poorly. The pixelated, crudely drawn Simpsons gang and their generic rivals are animated in their most basic form. Additionally, sound effects are equally coarse and repetitive to boot. The charm here stands from the use of source material, by offering a bunch of cameos like Krusty or Mr. Burns, along with the backdrops of some noticeable locales. The story bears no consequence. No one remembers the episode where a lone Lisa walks into Moe’s Tavern that annexed a casino, only to be greeted by hordes of G-men wanting to recreate a scene from The Accused. Don’t look up that reference; you’ll be grossly offended.

So, is the game still as thigh-slapping hilarious as it once was? In part, yes. It’s the same game as in the arcades. The Simpsons give their tribute to games like Double Dragon in a generic brawler for up to 4 players. The 8 levels offer the standard side-scrolling events, such as a city stage, an elevator or a cemetery. One button is used for punching and the other one for jumping. Lo, both can even be combined. Objects can be picked up and thrown and garbage can food still heals all wounds apparently. The slight alteration comes from multiple players combining strengths and perhaps the clever Dreamland level.

Perhaps, because once the veneer of nostalgia fades away, it’s blatantly apparent just how generic and foremost short and cheap this game is. The 8 levels can be done within the timespan of an hour and the only replay value comes from playing with friends or trying to overcome the cheap boss fights.

In order to broaden the replay factor a little, the updated version offers different play modes. It even gives a choice between the US or Japan version of the game, though this difference is very minor. Perhaps the biggest challenge comes from Survival mode, where players need to make their virtual quarter last. In any other game mode, the concept of quarters is irrelevant to today’s gaming experience. Particularly since the quarters given are exceedingly generous, it’s not at all the same feeling as having to pony up the precious coin in the old arcade halls.

The Simpsons still attempt a Hail Mary pass, by cleverly implementing online play. What will probably be the redeeming factor for most people however gets blemished by fraction delays when inputting commands. Luckily, it isn’t game breaking at all, but it will be a nuisance nonetheless. Other than that, this is the sure fire way to be playing this game, if friends and couches are unavailable.

The Simpsons Arcade Game is a short, generic romp. Yes, it’s still fun, but it lasts about as long as the standard episode does. Fans and hopeless nostalgic people will probably still get a kick out of the crudely presented family from yore. There’s even a way to enjoy the times past with people from all over the globe. Other than that, if you really want to enjoy the game, just go outside and find yourself an arcade. That adventure might last you longer and you might even spend less money in order to finish it. But this port does have a few clever tidbits that can’t be found anywhere else. If that’s an incentive, please proceed.

Screenshots

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)