The Simpsons hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1991 on the Arcade, this retro classic from Konami is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
The game features archival recordings from the show's first season mixed with brand new recordings by its voice actors, with Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith reprising their respective roles as the Simpsons family. It was the second video game based on The Simpsons to be released in North America.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Insert Coin | V | Select |
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap this game's controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Arcade input |
|---|---|---|
| Move | · · · · | Joystick (8-way) |
| Attack | · | Button 1 |
| Jump | · | Button 2 |
| Start | · | Start |
| Insert Coin | · | Select |
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The Story Behind The Simpsons
It was the second video game based on The Simpsons to be released in North America. In 2021, under license from 20th Century Games, Arcade1Up released a 30th anniversary home arcade cabinet that features this game and The Simpsons Bowling. Burns, who uses a mobile battle suit equipped with a variety of weapons.
The game was a commercial success in the United States, where it was one of the top three best-selling arcade games of 1991. It 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. The game features archival recordings from the show's first season mixed with brand new recordings by its voice actors, with Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith reprising their respective roles as the Simpsons family.
How The Simpsons Plays
However, the Japanese version is exclusively 2-player. In the final stage, the Simpsons must defeat first Smithers and then Mr. The Japanese version of the game includes many differences from the North American release: Binky and Bongo, two characters from Matt Groening's comic strip Life in Hell, make brief appearances during the game.
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. Burns) to reach the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Players can also pick up and throw/swing items such as hammers, bowling balls, and mailboxes as melee weapons, and two players can team up to throw very heavy items such as police cars.
Why Players Still Load It Up
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. 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. In the United States, thousands of arcade cabinets were ordered upon its debut at the American Coin Machine Exposition (ACME) in March 1991.
But first, he must defeating Chief Wiggum before advanced to next level, before taking final showdown with Burns in his mansion. The arcade game received positive reviews from critics. In June 2021, Arcade1Up announced its intent to release a 30th anniversary edition home arcade cabinet in late fall the same year.
The Simpsons — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play The Simpsons online for free?
Absolutely. The full game loads in the player at the top of this page and runs right in your browser — no installs, no plugins, no waiting.
Do I need a controller to play The Simpsons?
No. Keyboard controls work out of the box (see the controls panel), and any USB or Bluetooth gamepad is detected automatically.
Who developed The Simpsons?
Development was handled by Konami, with Konami publishing the release.
Where can I buy the original The Simpsons?
See the "Other Places You Can Get This Game" section below the article for legitimate places to buy real-world versions.