The Simpsons Arcade Game

 PlayStation 3
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 26
  3. Negative: 8 out of 26

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. namDa65
    Feb 25, 2012
    5
    The game has not aged well at all. Being a fan of old school beat em ups like turtles in time or streets of rage, this can't even compare. Bland repetitive enemies, uninteresting locations, and one button no combo combat make this arcade game a pass.
  2. GrumpyReviewer
    Feb 8, 2012
    8
    Say whatever you want. I really don't understand why critics are considering this hd port is a failure. Why would it be, really? It's the same old game which we spent hours and quarters playing. THE SAME. Better, actually; since it offers improved graphics and a couple of extra features. It's a great, classic game that filled me with nostalgia today. I'm in my 30s right now and I used toSay whatever you want. I really don't understand why critics are considering this hd port is a failure. Why would it be, really? It's the same old game which we spent hours and quarters playing. THE SAME. Better, actually; since it offers improved graphics and a couple of extra features. It's a great, classic game that filled me with nostalgia today. I'm in my 30s right now and I used to play this when I was 12. And I remember that I used to day dream about having this arcade game at home - which was made possible, today, after 20 years. This is something money can't buy, folks. Worth every cent and second. Will be playing this for a long, long time...… Expand
  3. roberto15762
    Apr 3, 2012
    3
    This game is too fun, but actuality he needs a HD graphics, why a port? anyone like a port.
    My 3 points is for the game, not the port, only what the old game was.
  4. Edduk_77
    Mar 6, 2012
    0
    I was very disappointed in this. Its not a port its literally playing the old game on your ps3. theres no up ressing or anything. you could argue that it still has the same sense of gameplay as the original one we all remember fondly from the arcades. But Allas I dont think it does.
  5. Soy
    Jun 28, 2012
    7
    It should just be considered a minor miracle they got the licensing issues ironed out to get this out after so many years. Sure the replay value is almost nil, but it's a fun blast to the past for those of us who sunk quarter after quarter in this sucker back in the day. $5 would've been a better price point, but it was still worth it for the nostalgia. HD-upgrade? Remember Turtles inIt should just be considered a minor miracle they got the licensing issues ironed out to get this out after so many years. Sure the replay value is almost nil, but it's a fun blast to the past for those of us who sunk quarter after quarter in this sucker back in the day. $5 would've been a better price point, but it was still worth it for the nostalgia. HD-upgrade? Remember Turtles in Time: Re-Shelled? Yeah, let things be.… Expand
  6. wesker2012
    May 28, 2012
    7
    Awesome game back in the day.
  7. FreedomFighters
    Jun 2, 2020
    7
    I always think that my time playing video games based on “The Simpsons” is over, but then something happens to pop up and catch my attention (though, looking at the rest of the series’ games I haven’t played…I can safely say this is probably a good stopping point). I played a number of games based on the TV series as a child, but as of late, growing up has shown me that those games haveI always think that my time playing video games based on “The Simpsons” is over, but then something happens to pop up and catch my attention (though, looking at the rest of the series’ games I haven’t played…I can safely say this is probably a good stopping point). I played a number of games based on the TV series as a child, but as of late, growing up has shown me that those games have aged poorly, and are nothing more than “decent” today. For all the love they receive, I personally haven’t been able to love “The Simpsons: Hit and Run” and “The Simpsons Game” as much as everyone else, as the removal of my rose-colored nostalgia lenses shows me some of the more aged elements of these games. That said, there was one other “Simpsons” game I played throughout my childhood: the classic arcade game. My older brother and I wasted many quarters playing the game when we went to arcades that had the game, and we were both very surprised when, in 2012, the game was re-released on digital storefronts as “The Simpsons Arcade Game.” Recently, I decided to finally try and beat the game…and to my surprise, I still enjoy it!
“The Simpsons Arcade Game” is no masterpiece, but I still think there’s fun to be had with it. Yes, the graphics look dated, but much of the game still feels rather faithful to “The Simpsons.” From a gameplay perspective, it is simplistic, and I’m sure many would prefer the novelty of playing a game like this on an arcade cabinet, but it’s still a very accessible title and one that you could have some quick, lighthearted fun and laughs with. Even today, “The Simpsons Arcade Game” is a fascinating trip down memory lane to see what games of yesteryear were like, and for as base-level as the gameplay is, there’s something oddly charming about a simple game like this. Even if it’s sort of an “empty calories” kind of game, it’s still a nice title with enough ridiculousness in its aesthetics and storytelling to make it pretty memorable, especially when you have multiple people to play it with. I also appreciate this port of the game, not only for being arcade perfect, but for adding a few rather interesting features that spice it up rather nicely: there are a set of difficulty levels, a few options as to how many “credits” you want to have (the console version can simulate that feeling of putting a bunch of quarters in a machine), and even the ability to play the USA and Japanese releases of the game. If nothing else, I can appreciate how much care went into making this the ultimate package for fans of the game that have nice, nostalgic memories with it.
    I won’t say “The Simpsons Arcade Game” hasn’t shown its age, because it has: playing through it, I see how it’s an extremely simplistic, mindless beat-em-up with some uninspired boss fights that’s very much a “press this button to win” kind of game, and the type of title where your appreciation of and attachment to the game are intrinsically linked to the nostalgia and memories that you had with it before. Thus, if you’re one of the uninitiated that never experienced it in the arcades, you might have a tough time with the game, and you might find it to be too repetitive to stand out. Not only that, but $10 might be a bit steep of an asking price for a game that can be beaten in just over half an hour, and while some of the new extras and bonuses are cool, I don’t think the game provides a ton of replay value.
    And yet, despite some clear flaws…I still enjoyed myself. Maybe this is a case of my own nostalgia with the game, but “The Simpsons Arcade Game” actually fits into a category that I previously created for games like “Star Fox Zero” and “Sonic Forces,” where the games have clear flaws, and I do acknowledge the flaws, but I can honestly look past them. “The Simpsons Arcade Game” fits into that category, as despite its simplistic gameplay, I still had some fun button-mashing my way to victory, reliving some of the memories I had as a child, and finally getting to see the game in its entirety. Again, it might be hard to recommend for someone who isn’t initiated already, but for its short duration, it’s an interesting look into an old era of gaming. Good luck finding it now, given that it’s been de-listed from the digital stores, but if you have the chance to play it, give it a quick try. It’s no masterpiece, but as far as 1990s gaming relics go, “The Simpsons Arcade Game” is a solid blast from the past.
    Final rating: 7 out of 10 “Good”    … Expand
  8. Zilcell
    Apr 15, 2012
    5
    I remember playing this game at the arcades, It is a very simple game, with little attack options. This version is more of the same, and yes, it has not aged as well as I initially thought. However, it has a few fun moments.
  9. Archvile-UT
    Aug 23, 2023
    1
    Скучнейший бетэмап. Лучше поиграть TMNT arcade game.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Apr 11, 2012
    70
    At its core this is Konami's Ninja Turtles beat 'em up re-skinned for Matt Groening's cash. But whereas everybody gets a rad turtle in TMNT, one poor bastard in every four player posse gets stuck with Marge and a vacuum. [April 2012, p80]
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Mar 28, 2012
    60
    Ten quid is a steep asking price. [Apr 2012, p.97]
  3. Play UK
    Mar 28, 2012
    54
    It's boring, the AI cheats and it's too expensive for something that can be finished in half an hour. [Issue#216, p.85]
See all critic reviews »