 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Simpsons: Hit & Run
- PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Price: $44.95
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
A tamer, sillier alternative to Grand Theft Auto.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the humor and language are right in line with the show's salty style, and while the game's animation is, obviously, very cartoonish, players can run people over with their cars, and beat and kick them. On the other hand, the plot includes both parental protesting over a controversial video game, and a soda with mind-controlling properties, both of which might encourage conversations about marketing to children.
What's it about?
In this newest Simpsons driving game, players become various characters from the animated show and complete silly missions (as Homer, you might deliver Lisa's digestive tract model to school, eating the gall bladder along the way; as Lisa you might save a school of fish from graduating to the dish of the day). As players advance through various levels -- and characters -- racing and chasing, collecting and delivering items, the storylines link to reveal that something sinister is going on in Springfield.
Is it any good?
The missions get a bit repetitive, but the well-animated town, complete with Kwik-E-Mart and Squid Port, gives players plenty to explore, and there are side missions, wardrobe changes -- and secrets to unlock. The Simpsons writers and cast collaborated on THE SIMPSONS: HIT & RUN and there are loads of jokes and insider-references for the show's loyal viewers (favorite characters such as Mr. Burns and Ralph Wiggum appear, and players can drive Homer's Mr. Plow or dress in Lisa's lumpy Florida costume). There's not a lot of educational value here, but this racing game could provide a tamer -- and sillier -- alternative to Grand Theft Auto.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about marketing to children. Do you think the parents in the game have valid concerns about the game they're protesting? Should game developers be held responsible for promoting controversial games to children, or is the responsibility of families to exercise good judgment?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
November 30, 2009
AGE
Nice, but some language "not for public".
I used to like this game. It is easy to play and is like the child friendly version of the adult game Grand Theft Auto. The game did have a few words not for public, but nothing very profane like something Grand Theft Auto would contain. When you run over people, they say a phrase, roll their arm and kick their legs, get back up again and run away! I recommend it to any Simpsons fan.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 8 years old
July 16, 2011
AGE
dtr5
u can kick and run over everything even the phone box and the trash cans
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Kid, 9 years old
January 4, 2011
AGE
THE SIMPSONS HIT AND RUN
its fun and if you get in to much trouble then the cops will chase you. play as bart homer lisa marge and apu.
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Kid, 9 years old
November 19, 2009
AGE
game is fun if you are 9 or older.
this game is so awesome.It contains mild language. no uses of f*ck or bi**h.the worst is the occasional use of dum*ss.other than that there is words like stupid,fat,i*iot and jerk.Violence is mostly from driving where you can:hit people, run over people and ocasionally cause explosions.You can also kick people.
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Teen, 13 years old
December 18, 2011
AGE
Hit and Run
Funny, just like the show, but some (non-bloody) violence that might concern some parents, and semi-frequent a** or d**n. Bart purchases illegal fireworks and you can beat up random people. But if you crash into too many things, or kick too many people, police will come and take 50 of your coins.
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Parent of 12 year old
December 8, 2009
AGE
very fun
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Teen, 13 years old
January 2, 2010
AGE
GTA Jr.
Very fun, child style GTA. Great storyline, good graphics, and the ability to free roam. Perfect. Got the gamecube version, definitely getting the xbox version...
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Teen, 13 years old
March 23, 2011
AGE
load of fun, you got it
This is my favorite game and I own it on GameCube. Gameplay is good anywhere around age 10. The game's plot is creative. Enjoy seven detailed levels with loads of fun missions and other activities and loot. The only thing to be concerned about is language. Only Homer mildly swears.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Great game for me - questionable for pre-teens
If you love the Simpsons, you'll love Hit and Run. If you think the Simpsons is appropriate for your kids to watch, you'll probably be okay with Hit and Run.H&R is task driven (drive here, pick this up, drive there, talk to this character), with the missions being fairly amusing and simple for the most part. Players can also examine the various areas of Springfield when not on missions.Be aware that the characters can do things that may not be appropriate (run over characters, kick characters, destroy property). I thought these were hilarious, but might not be the best thing for pre-teens. The good part is that nobody gets hurt -characters that get knocked over get up and make a comment - it's definately Bugs Bunny type violence. Some of the language can be salty - the worst is Homer uses "jerkass" quite a bit.
So YMMV.
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| Platforms: | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Radical Entertainment |
| Release date: | October 27, 2003 |
| Price: | $44.95 |
| ESRB rating: | T for (PlayStation 2, Xbox) |
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