Key Takeaways
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- Matt Groening has hinted that The Simpsons: Hit & Run might eventually return to fans, though showrunner Matt Selman offered a more cautious take.
- While the game received no official PC release in 2003 and remains off Xbox backward compatibility lists, its soundtrack is now available on streaming platforms like Spotify.
- Recent appearances in Fortnite, including new character skins and maps set in Springfield, demonstrate the shows continued active presence within gaming.
- Despite corporate hurdles that previously blocked a remaster from happening back in 2021, fan enthusiasm suggests this beloved noughties title could soon be playable again on modern systems.
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The Simpsons
Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, has hinted at a potential comeback for the beloved 2003 game, The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Originally released for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Xbox, The Simpsons: Hit & Run was developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. The game, which blended The Simpsons’ signature humor with gameplay reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto III, remains a fan favorite. During a D23 presentation about The Simpsons, Matt Groening responded to a fan’s question about a potential sequel, stating, “I don’t know if I’m talking too much, but I think the original game will return somehow.” Showrunner Matt Selman then interjected with a more cautious, “or… not.” Selman further commented on the enduring popularity of Hit & Run, noting that fans still hold it in high regard. The game is praised for its sharp humor, numerous Simpsons references, and accessible gameplay. In 2022, Andy Brown described the title as a “brilliant window into the noughties.” Selman himself expressed a desire for a remastered version back in 2021, though he indicated that complex corporate issues complicated such an endeavor at the time.
A Return to Springfield Might Be Just Around the Corner for Hit & Run Fans
While a new Simpsons game did not materialize for PC in 2003, the franchise recently made a significant return to gaming in late 2025 through Fortnite. This collaboration included character skins, show-inspired weapons, and Springfield as a Battle Royale map. Despite the lack of official remasters, the soundtrack for The Simpsons: Hit & Run was eventually released on Spotify and Apple Music. However, the game is not currently part of Xbox’s backward compatibility list, preventing owners of physical copies from playing it on current-generation consoles. PlayStation Plus Premium offers a catalog of PS1, PS2, and PSP titles monthly, including Disney-related games like Disney’s Atlantis: The Empire. Microsoft has also begun an initiative to bring several original Xbox games to PC. Fans have also taken matters into their own hands, attempting to recreate The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Groening’s comments have led to speculation that a remaster may be in the works, though he later shifted the conversation to The Simpsons video games more broadly. The potential return of The Simpsons: Hit & Run would undoubtedly be a treat for fans who continue to cherish the game over two decades after its initial release.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | The Simpsons: Hit & Run |
| Brief Summary | Strange wasp-shaped spy cameras, shady black vans lingering about, and a brand new flavor of Buzz Cola that everyone seems a bit too excited about. What could it all mean?
Find out as you take to the streets as America's most beloved dysfunctional animated family: The Simpsons! In this timeless action-adventure game, you can work to uncover the conspiracy taking place in Springfield while playing as these beloved characters. As you progress through the game, you'll explore 3 unique areas of Springfield made up of many locations from the show. You can ride around in style with a memorable array of vehicles from the show or take a walk around on foot. You'll stumble into adrenaline-pumping story missions, take part in some fast paced street races and help out some of the townsfolk in bonus missions. Around every corner there's pesky wasps to be destroyed, collector cards to find and secret gags to uncover. |
| Platforms | PlayStation 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox, Nintendo GameCube |
| Released | September 16, 2003 |
| Genre | Platform, Racing, Adventure |
| Play Modes | Single player, Multiplayer, Split screen |
| Content Rating | T |
| Languages | English |
| Genre | Radical Entertainment |
| Genre | Sierra Entertainment, Vivendi Universal Games |
| Ratings | 75/100 (331 reviews) |