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The Simpsons Game

(2007, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated T, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Hilarious game with many inside jokes for fans.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–15

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
  • Messages:

    Inappropriate role model behavior, but that's the source of the humor.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Some animated blood in one or two levels (later on in the game).
  • Sex:

    Some sexual references, such as saying Marge's eyes look like "boobs."
  • Language:

    Some words might offend including "hell," "damn," "butt."
  • Consumerism:

    Some references to pop culture and other video games.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A few references to drinking alcohol, smoking, but nothing major.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Simpsons Game

Parents need to know that this game is about as controversial as the television show. It includes Itchy & Scratchy blood and violence (for the uninitiated, that's the show's parody of violent cat-and-mouse cartoons), some minor curse words, a few sexual references, and so on. In other words, if you let your kids watch the show there isn't anything in the game that will raise a red flag.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how The Simpsons animated TV show was considered very offensive back in the early '90s -- Bart's underachieving attitude, Homer's language (which upset his religious neighbor, Ned), and some violence and gore -- but is this as big a deal today? Does the game push the envelope as the show did in its day, or is it now seen as clever, irreverent social satire? Does the game feel like an interactive episode of the show?
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Our Members Say

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See all 26 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models
    • Easy to play

    Fantastic Game That Lives Up to the Television Series!!

    "The Simpsons Game" is as good as a game based on a TV show gets. It's hilarious and fun. The game is just as good as the TV show because it is just one long game mocking video games and other media such as "Batman", "World of Warcraft", "Metel of Honor", and "Pokemon". It is an original story and very creative. The humor in the game will attract older fans more than kids because the jokes are aimed toward them, but not because of adult themes. The jokes appeal to adults and older teens more because of the references to games that kids may have never played nor would they have interest in playing. Things to look out for: References to alcohol and drug use are very mild and just might go over a kid's head. Violence is very cartoony and funny sometimes (ie: Homer eats living chocolate bunnies, the bunnies let out bloodcurtling screams of confusion and horror). Also, there is one scene where Bart and Lisa are inside a factory that makes video games and there is an extended sequence where they are inside the "blood factory" and everything is covered in blood as well as blood shooting out of pipes like waterfalls. Language is a bit stronger than in the series, but just like a TV show the characters do get bleeped (this happenes 2 times in the game) what is not bleeped are words such as "d*mn", "h*ll", "bi*ch" and in an extended sequence making fun of "Grand Theft Auto" the words "h*" and "pimp" can be heard several times. Product placement is obvious, especially in the ending of the game where Matt Groening places his characters from "Futurama" in the game as well as other consoles such as Playstation, Xbox 360, and the Wii. Product placement also occurs in the fact that entire segments of the game are devoted to mocking other games by placing "The Simpsons" characters in the middle of the game being made fun of. I put Messages Aren't Positive for one reason: Religion is mocked. The entire ending level of the game (lasting a good 40 minutes of gameplay) takes place in Heaven and the game is won by defeating God in a game of "Dance Dance Revolution". It is a funny idea because of its absurdity. I doubt that Matt Groening was intentionally trying to offend, it is just supposed to be an abusurd idea to play against the Lord in "Dance Dance Revolution". The game shows good role models in the fact that the Simpson family works together to save each other and also Marge strives to make the world a better place for her kids in a humorous way. Bottom line: Fun to play, original and hilarious. Ages 12+. 5/5 stars. Enjoy.

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0

    amazing

    When I played it with my friend at his house I thoght it might be a little iffy but boy was I wrong. sure there was d**b d****t I didn't get that far but it was halious. The first level you are in Homers dream and it's nothing but sweats and you have to fight evil chocolate bunnies at the end theres a little clip that Homer says not dreaming not dreaming and wakes up and says d****t I was dreaming why can't the world be made of sweats and everything you can eat d**b you reality. I say if you are 9 and up and don't do anything they do your okay.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0

    wow

    It is a lot of fun to play.They say things like "Oh!D**n my choclate nerves!" "Your son is below average!" "Bart hates you!" . I think it has a reasonable rating of T. E 10+ really isn't a reasonable rating.But the common sense rating 12+ is good.

  4. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    I laughed

    And again another review The Simpson’s game is a really funny game. Violence: No blood but you hit people or with special powers. If you hit someone twice in Springfield they run away screaming if you hit them constantly they fall down on the ground (10 secs and they get back up). Language: C**p, Damn, hell, ass light casual swearing bi**h is said although one level Grand Theft Scratchy Marge say’s it a lot but it is talking about DOGS. Drugs Social behaviour and Sex: A bit of smoking and drinking. Nothing that bad. A bit of sex references but no nakedness. Message: Nothing much just save Springfield.

  5. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    To those who say NO

    To all of you out there who say this is a bad game, with profanity, just don't buy it. Some parents really don't care and they watch the show. The kids probably already know what the stuff means if they didn't tell their parents anyway.

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