Back in the 1990’s the term Simpsomania had been coined to describe the explosion of popularity The Simpsons gained. The Simpsons merchandise was flying off the shelf. There were every type of toy and knock off toy imaginable. Then came the world’s first Simpsons Arcade Game, simply called “The Simpsons Arcade” it was the first of its kind and was truly revolutionary. Fans could not wait to get their hands on the Simpsons, and being as this was the first Simpsons Arcade game around, it blew up.
The Simpsons has always been one of my favorite cartoons. Ever since I was young I remember stopping every time “The Simpsons” flashed on my TV guide. While I never was a true die-hard fan of the series, it was always in the back of my mind.
Now, twenty years later, Konami has brought The Simpsons Arcade back to the spotlight, with a release on Xbox Live and Playstation Network.
Story:
The Simpsons Arcade’s story is quite an odd one. In an apparent plot to rob a jewelry store, Waylon Smithers ends up bumping into, and then kidnapping, Maggie Simpson. It then becomes the job of Homer, Marge, Bart, and Lisa to save her and put an end to Mr. Burns and Mr. Smither’s reign of terror. Although it is quite unclear why the richest man in Springfield would want to steal a diamond, he does, apparently.
Gameplay:
The single player campaign in the Simpsons Arcade leaves nothing to be desired. You pick from one of the four Simpsons and traverse through Springfield, Krustyland, the Springfield Discount Graveyard, Moe’s Tavern, Springfield Butte, a dream world, the Channel 6 studio, and the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Each character has a different attack and speed, but all handle somewhat the same. You’ll fight zombies, ninjas, fat cowboys, and plenty of other crazy things as you traverse the wild Springfield chasing down Smithers. Sounds like a blast, doesn’t it? It is. But co-op is where the game really shines. Up to four players play as the family to blast and smash through all of the levels together. There are a large variant of modes you can play, including a Japanese ROM, multitudes of ways you can share lives, as well as unlock sounds and art from the game. Each round takes between thirty to forty minutes to complete, although there are only so many times one can play through the game before becoming bored with it.
Visuals:
Konami did an excellent job with with the revamped visuals on The Simpsons Arcade. Every bit and byte could be beautifully seen in high definition 1080p, and the colors pop exceptionally well. The game also manages to maintain the wonderfully fun charm you’ve come to expect from anything Simpson’s related.
Closing thoughts:
While the Simpsons Arcade is a wonderfully crafted game, keep in mind it does still feel like a game from the 1990’s. Co-op and single player are fun, but become dull and repetitive after a multitude of playthroughs. There are only so many times you can play the short game before becoming burnt out on it. If you played the original or are a fan of the series, pick it up for sure, but if you weren’t around for the original arcade game and aren’t particularly fond of the show, wait till gathering up a few friends to play with you before taking the 800 Microsoft Points/$10 Dive.
