The Simpsons: Hit & Run

 Xbox
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
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  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Hit & Run is so good at capturing the show's spirit and copying a great game ["GTA"] that it turns out to be real, honest-to-God fun for anyone who digs the show. [Oct 2003, p.140]
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  2. TotalGames.net
    70
    Grumbling aside, Hit & Run is a decent stab at doing something different with a The Simpsons game, but it still can't help being very, very unoriginal and dragging everything down to the lowest common denominator - collect stuff!
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  3. games(TM)
    50
    There's just not enough to do besides the main tasks to justify stealing the GTA concept ... the distinct lack of content reduces the amount of enjoyment you'll get out of it. Better than you'd think, but still very basic. [Nov 2003, p.118]
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Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best Xbox Game of 2003
16
#16 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
28
#28 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 53
  3. Negative: 2 out of 53
  1. Desdicado
    Feb 7, 2012
    10
    This is probably one of the best games I've played in terms of bang for your buck. I loved it when it came out as I'm a big Simpsons fan andThis is probably one of the best games I've played in terms of bang for your buck. I loved it when it came out as I'm a big Simpsons fan and completed it on the Xbox. Since then i've had children, they love it too, to the extent that I have 2 copies, one for the 360 and one for the old xbox. It's gameplay is such fun, so many areas you recognise, so much unlockable stuff, all the character you like with most of the playable. It has varied driving missions, collectable cards and unlockable jokes. It just has so much replay value. Brilliant for age 4 to 44. A must for Simpsons fans.… Full Review »
  2. Kevin-Blueberry
    Nov 16, 2011
    9
    The Simpson's Hit and Run (which thankfully is backwards compatible on any Xbox 360 console that isn't an arcade) came out shortly after GrandThe Simpson's Hit and Run (which thankfully is backwards compatible on any Xbox 360 console that isn't an arcade) came out shortly after Grand Theft Auto III and clearly takes some queues from it. It's open world action (with no killing or any of that snaz), but still features usable vehicles, simple combat if you'd even call it combat, and a simple, but very fun mission structure. There are SO MANY EASTER EGGS in this game, and references to the show, and the game actually rewards you for finding them. The game also features a currency system, coins, which are all over the maps, typically in shortcuts, or as guides hinting that a certain part of the map is actually accessable. The easiest way to get coins is to destroy the bees flying around and destroy cola crates/machines. You are not rewarded coins for completing missions ore anything like that, they're rewarded for more creative things, like destroying the environment and destroying the flying cameras (bees). The game's also very user friendly, the game features hit and runs, which cause the cops to chase you erratically, and are actually fairly challenging to escape from, but the onyl way you can get a hit and run is by destroying way too much, or running down (not killing) too many pedestrians. The game is about 20-ish hours long if you're just playing the story missions. There's also a side-mission per stage, which unlocks a unique vehicle, as well as street races, which (by completing all 3 in one stage) also unlock a unique vehicle. Then there are the Collector Cards, there's seven hidden in each level, and it can actually be fun running around the city, having no clue where they are. I admit to checking youtube to find a couple of them. Collecting all of them in one level unlocks a track for a top down race mode based on the story's cities, there's not reward for winning them, but they're the only part of the game which allows multiple players to play against eachother, and AI in a race. Speaking of the cities, well, not really cities, it's all Springfield, but there are 3 areas in which the 7 stages are split into. 3 stages take place in Evergreen Terrace, which is the suburban area of Springfield, where you'll find the Simpson's house, cemetary, power plant and school. There's 2 stages in the downtown district which features the city sqaure (with Jebadaiha [I tried my best] Springfield statue), the city hall, police station, monorail (one of the tons of references to the show), the mini-freeway, DMV and more. And there's the bay area which features, Comic Book guy's shop, the docks, Krusty's studio, Frink's labarotory and more. You'll play as five characters; Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Apu (Don't know why they picked Apu of all people). All of which have their unique lines, some of which are taken from the show, some just made for the game, and have unqiue traits, like their attack style, and others. You'll play as Homer and Bart twice, while you'll only play as the other characters once. There are a lot of purchasable vehicles and clothing (all unique to which stage you're playing on, meaning you can't buy the same clothes for Homer in his second stage, than you can in the first stage). There are usually about 10 cars you can get in each level (including a bonus vehicle, all of which reference the show, and are hidden, one unique to each level), and 3 clothing options. And although you'll play in the same districts more than once, each time, it's a different time of day, certain portions of the districy may become available or unreachable the second time around, so it doesn't really get repetitive, and let it be said, the districts are very well done, but so is the rest of the game. If you play the game on PC (Which I did the first time I played it), there are some glitches, which oddly, are not at all present in the console versions. These glitches include the ground disappearing, hitting random invisible walls that will cause you to fail missions (and are clearly not there intentionally) and the game crashes more often on the PC variant than consoles, but that's the same with a lot of games, right? Speaking of references to the show, let me say that one portion of the game is clearly based on the Treehouse of Horror episodes, and no, the setting isn't just there, it ties into the story. The game's story is surprisingly good, and actually, in many ways, better than a lot of the Simpsons you see on TV. Is this game with buying? YES! You'll probably find it for $5 or less now, and even true, if you don't watch the Simpsons, you probably won't like it as it shares the same comedy and makes TONS of references to the show, but even so, it's recognizable that this game isn't good just because it's based on the Simpson's. Not to mention, nothing beats childhood.… Full Review »
  3. JeriP.
    Jul 30, 2005
    10
    I love this game I usually always watch the Simpsons but now I can play it!!! I love this game you HAVE to try it!!!
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