I've played a number of games based on "The Simpsons" TV series as a child, but 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” title 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 housed it in our youth, and we were both very surprised when, in 2012, it was re-released on digital storefronts as “The Simpsons Arcade Game.” Recently, I decided to finally try and beat it…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 than on a console, 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 not only for being arcade perfect, but for adding a few rather interesting features that spice it up rather nicely: there's 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 original that have nice, nostalgic memories with it.
I won’t say “The Simpsons Arcade Game” hasn’t shown its age, though, 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. Thus, it's the type of title where your appreciation of and attachment to it are intrinsically linked to the nostalgia and memories that you had with it before. As a result, 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 it provides a ton of replay value.
Yet, despite some clear flaws…I still enjoyed myself. Maybe this is a case of my own nostalgia for it, but “The Simpsons Arcade Game” actually fits into a category of mine where it has clear flaws - and I do acknowledge the flaws - but I can honestly look past them a bit. Despite the 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"