The Simpsons (video game)

Short description: 1991 video game

The Simpsons

The Simpsons arcade cabinet

Developer(s)| Konami (Arcade)
Novotrade (C64, MS-DOS)
Backbone Entertainment (XBLA, PSN)
Publisher(s)| Konami
Director(s)| Kengo Nakamura
Producer(s)| S. Kido
Programmer(s)| Akira Suzuki
Hirotaka Ishikawa
NWK
Artist(s)| Kengo Nakamura
Yasushi Takano
K. Nakajima
Noriyuki Yokoki
Hiroshi Iuchi
Composer(s)| Norio Hanzawa
Platform(s)| Arcade, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Release| Arcade

* NA: March 4, 1991
* JP: August 11, 1991
* WW: 1991

Commodore 64

* NA: 1991

MS-DOS

* NA: 1991

Xbox Live Arcade

* WW: February 3, 2012

PlayStation Network

* NA: February 7, 2012
* EU: February 8, 2012

Genre(s)| Beat 'em up
Mode(s)| Single-player, multiplayer

The Simpsons is an arcade beat 'em up developed and published by Konami released in 1991. It was the first video game based on the Simpsons franchise to be released in North America. The game allows up to four players to control members of the Simpson family as they fight various enemies to rescue the kidnapped Maggie.[1] It was a commercial success in the United States, where it was one of the top three best-selling arcade video game machines of 1991, The game also features the television shows's voice actors; Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith reprising their respective roles as the Simpsons family.

The game was ported to the Commodore 64 and MS-DOS soon after its launch in the arcades, and was released as The Simpsons Arcade Game on those platforms. It was also released under that title on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 in February 2012; however, it was removed from both services on December 20, 2013.[2][3] In 2021, Arcade1Up released a 30th anniversary edition home arcade cabinet.[4]

## Contents

* 1 Plot
* 2 Gameplay
* 3 Legacy
* 4 Reception
* 5 References
* 6 External links
* 7 Features
* 8 History
* 9 See also
* 10 References
* 11 External links

## Plot

While walking through downtown Springfield, the Simpsons collide with Smithers, who has just stolen a large diamond from a jewelry shop for Mr. Burns. The diamond goes flying and lands in Maggie's mouth, and she begins sucking on it like a pacifier as Smithers kidnaps her. The rest of the Simpsons give chase across the city, fighting off hordes of enemies (hired by Mr. Burns) to reach the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. The pursuit covers eight stages, each of which ends with a fight against a strong boss character. In the final stage, the Simpsons must defeat first Smithers and then Mr. Burns, who uses a mobile battle suit equipped with a variety of weapons. Once Mr. Burns is defeated, Maggie puts her pacifier in his mouth and the Simpsons take her home, with Homer throwing the diamond away.

## Gameplay

Screenshot from Stage 7 of the game, where Marge battles two "Royd" and one "Rupert" enemies.

The Simpsons is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that allows players to join in at any time. Two different cabinet models were produced: one allowing up to two simultaneous players, each able to choose a character, and another allowing four players with a dedicated position for each character. Controls consist of an eight-way joystick and two buttons to jump and attack.

The characters have distinctive attack styles; Homer punches and kicks, Marge swings a vacuum cleaner, Bart wields a skateboard, and Lisa attacks with a jump rope. Two characters standing close to each other can mount a combined attack, such as Homer and Marge holding each other's ankles to roll around the screen and mow down enemies, or Homer placing Lisa on his shoulders so they can strike at two different heights. Each player has a health meter, which decreases upon being hit by enemies; food items can be picked up to replenish it. Players can also pick up and throw/swing items such as hammers, bowling balls, and mailboxes as melee weapons. One life is lost whenever a player's health meter runs out; if all lives are lost, the player may continue the game by adding credits within a time limit. Two minigames played between stages require players to hit their buttons as quickly as possible, with computer-controlled enemies replacing any characters not in play.[1]

The Japanese version of the game includes many differences from the North American release.[5][1][6] These changes include throwable small scale nuclear bombs that clear all on-screen enemies. A life bar that, unlike in the North American version, can accumulate three levels by eating food beyond the first full level. The player's life is turned into bonus points after they complete a level and is restored when the next level begins. In this version there are hidden items (food and weapons) which appear when the player hits specific points of the screen. Also, in the Japanese version the score system is different: each enemy character defeated gives the player a certain number of points, while at the North American version the player only earns a single point by defeating them. This is similar to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game score system.

## Legacy

Soon after the Simpsons' arcade release, Novotrade released ports for Commodore 64 and MS-DOS computers. A listing on the Australian Classification Board website, posted on November 9, 2011, hinted at a port of the game being developed by Backbone Entertainment for multiple platforms.[7] In January 2012, a high-definition port of The Simpsons Arcade Game was announced for PlayStation Network for release in February, with a release on Xbox Live Arcade also revealed.[8] The port features online multiplayer, the ability to unlock the rare Japanese 4-player version of the game, and promotional content from the game's arcade launch.[8] The game was initially made available exclusively to PlayStation Plus users at no charge.[9] In December 2013, the game was removed from the PlayStation Network store, although at the time it was still available through the Xbox Live Marketplace; no reason for the removal was given by either Sony or Konami.[10]

A completely different title inspired by the arcade game, The Simpsons Arcade, was released by Electronic Arts for iOS on December 19, 2009. Unlike the arcade game, the title is a single player game where players control Homer, assisted by the other family members via power-ups. The plot is also slightly altered, as it revolves around a thumb drive containing plans for Burns' "Project: Operation Mission" hidden inside a donut that Homer attempted to eat after bumping into Smithers, who had been tasked with securing the plans, allegedly containing the town's secret data. With Burns' associates retrieving the donut and taking turns keeping it safe while Homer remains ignorant of the drive inside, his objective is simply to take back the donut. But first, he must defeating Chief Wiggum before advanced to next level, before taking final showdown with Burns in his mansion.[11]

In June 2021, Arcade1Up announced its intent to release a 30th anniversary edition home arcade cabinet in late fall the same year.[4]

## Reception

Reception

| Review scores

Publication| Score
AllGame|  (Arcade)[12]
Dragon|  (MS-DOS)[13]
GameSpot| 3/10 (XBLA)[14]
Sinclair User| 86% (Arcade)[15]

In the United States, thousands of arcade cabinets were ordered upon its debut at the American Coin Machine Exposition (ACME) in March 1991.[16] The Simpsons went on to win a Platinum award from the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) for sales achievement in 1991, making it one of the top three best-selling arcade video game machines of 1991 (with the Neo Geo MVS which won Platinum and below Street Fighter II which won Diamond).[17][18] In Japan, Game Machine listed The Simpsons on their October 1, 1991 issue as being the eleventh most-popular arcade game for the previous two weeks.[19]

The arcade game received positive reviews from critics. Sinclair User gave it a positive review, saying “It’s the great looking graphics, good sampled sound and clever animations that makes the Simpsons such fun to play“[15] ScrewAttack ranked the arcade game as the best cartoon-based game.[20]

The PC/MS-DOS version of the game was reviewed in 1992 in Dragon #180 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.[13]

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hopper, Steven (2012-02-03). "The Simpsons Arcade Review" (in en-US). http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/03/the-simpsons-arcade-review.
2. ↑ "X-Men and The Simpsons Arcade Game disappear from PSN, still on XBLA". 2013-12-20. https://www.polygon.com/2013/12/20/5231152/x-men-and-the-simpsons-arcade-game-disappear-from-psn-still-on-xbla.
3. ↑ "The Simpsons Arcade takes us back to the bowling alley (review)". 2012-02-07. https://venturebeat.com/2012/02/07/review-the-simpsons-arcade-takes-us-back-to-the-bowling-alley/.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Peters, Jay (June 9, 2021). "The Classic Simpsons Arcade Cabinet Is Getting rereleased Thanks To Arcade1Up". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/9/22525100/the-simpsons-arcade-game-machine-cabinet-arcade1up.
5. ↑ "Hardcore Gaming 101: Konami Beat-em-ups". http://hardcoregaming101.net/konamibeatemups/konamibeatemups1.htm.
6. ↑ "The Simpsons (Arcade) - The Cutting Room Floor" (in en). The Cutting Room Floor. https://tcrf.net/The_Simpsons_(Arcade)#Version_Differences.
7. ↑ Sterling, Jim (9 November 2011). "The Simpsons Arcade likely coming to consoles". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/the-simpsons-arcade-likely-coming-to-consoles-215526.phtml.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Makuch, Eddie (February 1, 2012). "Simspons Arcade Game hits XBL Friday". GameSpot.com. CNet. http://www.gamespot.com/news/simspons-arcade-game-hits-xbl-friday-6349566.
9. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (January 31, 2012). "Simpsons Arcade Game arriving next week for PlayStation Plus subscribers". GameSpot.com. CNet. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6349484.html.
10. ↑ Tracey Lien (December 20, 2013). "X-Men and The Simpsons Arcade Game Disappear From PSN, Still On XBLA". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/20/5231152/x-men-and-the-simpsons-arcade-game-disappear-from-psn-still-on-xbla.
11. ↑ "The Simpsons Arcade on the App Store on iTunes". 21 December 2009. https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/the-simpsons-arcade/id344217468.
12. ↑ Weiss, Brett Alan. "The Simpsons -Review". Allgame. http://allgame.com/game.php?id=11035&tab=review.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (April 1992). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (180): 57–61. https://archive.org/stream/DragonMagazine260_201801/DragonMagazine180#page/n57/mode/2up.
14. ↑ McShea, Tom. "The Simpsons Arcade Game Review". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-simpsons-arcade-game-review/1900-6349795/.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 The Simpsons Review. EMAP. July 1991. pp. 38. https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-113/page/n37/mode/2up.
16. ↑ "Cover Story: It's Arrived! Konami Ships Simpsons Video". RePlay 16 (8): 103–4. May 1991. https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-16-issue-no.-8-may-1991-600dpi/RePlay - Volume 16, Issue No. 8 - May 1991/page/103.
17. ↑ "ACME '92: Play Meter and AAMA present annual awards". Play Meter 18 (5): 66, 68. April 1992. https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-18-number-5-april-1992-600DPI/Play Meter - Volume 18, Number 5 - April 1992/page/n129.
18. ↑ "Coin Machine - Seven Manufacturers Receive AAMA Awards". Cashbox: 25. April 18, 1992. ISSN 0008-7289. https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-04-18.pdf#page=27. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
19. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (412): 31. 1 October 1991.
20. ↑ "Top 10 Cartoon Games". 17 July 2009. http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/svc479/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-10-cartoon-games.

## External links

* MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

## Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

## History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

## See also

* IGDB - game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/.
2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/.
3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1.
4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521.
8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media.
9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned.
10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner.
11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames.
12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games.
13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/.
14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/.
15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/.
16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/.
17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames.
18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628.

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