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Episode 237:

Springfield in Pixels

The Simpsons in Gaming

Runtime: 56 minutes

History Topics (At-A Glance):

The Simpsons (1991)

Originally Released on March 1991

Episode Summary:

Today, we’re heading to Springfield to explore the early days of *The Simpsons* in video games, starting with the iconic *Simpsons Arcade Game* released in 1991. We begin by uncovering Matt Groening’s journey from underground cartoonist to television icon, leading to *The Simpsons* becoming a pop culture phenomenon. Then, we’ll dive into the wave of *Simpsons* games throughout the '90s, from arcade hits to home console classics like *Bart vs. the Space Mutants* and *Virtual Springfield*. Finally, we’ll reflect on the legacy of *The Simpsons* in gaming and how the franchise evolved over the decades. So, grab your arcade tokens and join us for some Springfield mayhem on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane!


Video Games and Consoles Discussed in this Episode:

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, August 22). The Simpsons (video game). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_(video_game)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_(video_game)

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 5). The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart_vs._the_Space_Mutants

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart_vs._the_Space_Mutants

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 6). The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart_vs._the_World

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart_vs._the_World

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 7). The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bartman_Meets_Radioactive_Man

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bartman_Meets_Radioactive_Man

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 10). Virtual Springfield. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Springfield

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Springfield

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 12). The Simpsons Cartoon Studio. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_Cartoon_Studio

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_Cartoon_Studio

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 8). Krusty’s Fun House. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty%27s_Fun_House

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty%27s_Fun_House

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 12). The Simpsons: Itchy & Scratchy in Miniature Golf Madness. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Itchy_%26_Scratchy_in_Miniature_Golf_Madness

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Itchy_%26_Scratchy_in_Miniature_Golf_Madness

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, October 15). The Simpsons: Bart's House of Weirdness. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart%27s_House_of_Weirdness

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons:_Bart%27s_House_of_Weirdness
Additional Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 23). The Simpsons (franchise). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_(franchise)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_(franchise)

Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 18). The Simpsons Arcade Game. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_Arcade_Game

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_Arcade_Game

GameSpot Staff. (2003, November 5). The Simpsons Hit & Run review. GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-simpsons-hit-run-review/1900-6077137/

https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-simpsons-hit-run-review/1900-6077137/

IGN Staff. (2001, December 3). The Simpsons: Road Rage Review. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/03/the-simpsons-road-rage

https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/03/the-simpsons-road-rage

Arcade History – Konami’s Simpsons Beat-Em-Up. https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9663

https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9663

IGN Interview with Matt Groening on The Simpsons’ Impact on Video Games. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/15/interview-matt-groening-on-the-simpsons-and-video-games

https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/15/interview-matt-groening-on-the-simpsons-and-video-games

The Rise and Fall of Konami’s Arcade Division. https://retronauts.com/article/1993/the-rise-and-fall-of-konamis-arcade-games

https://retronauts.com/article/1993/the-rise-and-fall-of-konamis-arcade-games

GameSpot Retrospective: The Simpsons Virtual Springfield Development. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-making-of-virtual-springfield

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-making-of-virtual-springfield

Game Developer’s Oral History: The Simpsons Video Games. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/1991/an-oral-history-of-the-simpsons-video-games.php

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/1991/an-oral-history-of-the-simpsons-video-games.php

DF Retro. (2023, April 5). The Simpsons Arcade Game Retrospective. Digital Foundry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9MzmtjLIAw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9MzmtjLIAw
Audio Sources:
Cold Open Music

Bleeping Demo by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Podcast Intro Music

Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod

Link: Free Download

Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license