Everyone Wants a New Simpsons: Hit and Run, But What About This Other Game?

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With the long-running success of The Simpsons as a pop culture icon, it’s no surprise many video games have been based on the show. Developers have tried various approaches to recreating Springfield, from the classic side-scrolling action of the arcade game to the open-world adventure of The Simpsons: Hit and Run. While those two titles are often considered the best, other Simpsons games also offer enjoyable takes on the show’s universe.

Released on November 19, 2001, The Simpsons: Road Rage was created by Radical Entertainment. The game was heavily inspired by Sega’s Crazy Taxi series – so much so that Sega actually sued over the similarities in gameplay. Despite this, Road Rage proved successful and helped shape the future of the Simpsons game franchise, leading to titles like Hit and Run. While fans would love a modern version of Hit and Run, a new Road Rage game could be even more appealing.

Road Rage Was Crazy Taxi Meets The Simpsons

I loved The Simpsons: Road Rage! It was basically Crazy Taxi but set in Springfield, which was awesome. You drive around town picking up different characters and taking them where they need to go. The story is that Mr. Burns has ruined the bus system, making everything radioactive, so everyone has to rely on each other for rides. The goal is to earn enough money to take back the transit system from Burns before he completely messes up Springfield!

The game’s bright and vibrant colors were a perfect match for its fast-paced, Crazy Taxi-like gameplay, helping players stay oriented despite the tricky handling and unpredictable obstacles. In fact, it borrowed so much from the Crazy Taxi engine that Sega actually filed a lawsuit against Radical Entertainment, Fox Interactive, and Electronic Arts for patent infringement. Despite the legal issues, Road Rage proved to be a commercial success, earning over $41 million in just five years thanks to its availability on multiple gaming platforms.

While The Simpsons: Road Rage isn’t perfect – reviews were mixed when it first came out – it really captures the wild, cartoonish energy of the show. The slightly clumsy driving actually adds to the fun, and racing around hitting other cars feels like the Burnout series, but isn’t quite as difficult as Crazy Taxi.

The game builds on its chaotic energy by frequently adding new challenges, like smashing through Springfield or evading Mr. Burns and Smithers’ fancy car. Although the arcade mode was enjoyable for unlocking areas and competing for high scores, the campaign mode really stood out. It featured original missions and brought the Simpsons’ voice actors together for a story that surprisingly feels relevant to current events.

A New Simpsons: Road Rage Would Be Great

Man, for ages everyone’s been begging for a new Simpsons: Hit and Run game. I loved that game – taking The Simpsons characters and putting them in a Grand Theft Autostyle world was just awesome. But honestly, I’ve always secretly hoped they’d bring back Road Rage too. Seeing how good open-world driving games like Crew Motorfest, Mario Kart World, and the next Forza Horizon look really makes me dream about what a Simpsonsthemed version of that could be like – imagine exploring Springfield like that!

A modern remake of The Simpsons: Road Rage could offer a much larger and more detailed Springfield to explore, free from the technical constraints of the original PlayStation 2 game. Developers could add locations featured in later episodes of The Simpsons and create new challenges for players. Since the game’s initial release, the show has introduced many new characters, settings, and running gags, all of which could be incorporated into a reimagined Road Rage.

As a huge Simpsons fan, I always thought Road Rage had so much potential! It’s amazing to think about how cool it would be to have that game widely available today. Modern developers could really build on that fun, basic gameplay – imagine a version with destructible environments, different race types, and seriously slick driving challenges. And honestly, an expanded version with a proper story campaign, maybe even involving some of the people who work on the actual Simpsons show, could feel like playing a brand new Simpsons movie! It was a great start, a bit like Crazy Taxi set in Springfield, but with a fantastic world that’s just begging to be expanded upon. After 25 years, it’s time to take Road Rage to the next level!

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2026-01-18 20:13