The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants

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The Simpsons: Bart v. the Space Mutants (1992) 108 CLR 22

Developer(s)	Imagineering/Arc Developments
Publisher(s)	Acclaim Entertainment/Ocean Software
Designer(s)	Garry Kitchen
Release date(s)	1991 - 1992
Genre(s)	Action/Adventure
Mode(s)	Single player
Platform(s)	NES, Atari ST, IBM PC, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Mega Drive/Genesis

The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants was the title of a video game based on the cartoon series The Simpsons.

1 Game platforms
2 Plot and game objectives
3 Criticism
4 External links

[edit] Game platforms

Initially released for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga and Atari ST by Ocean Software and for the NES by Acclaim Entertainment, the game was later released for the Sega Master System and Mega Drive/Genesis by Acclaim under its "Flying Edge" label. Versions also appeared for the handheld Game Boy and Game Gear consoles and several home computer systems.

Each version of the game was essentially the same, although the 16-bit Sega version had slightly better graphics and sound. It was also unusual in that the B button on the controller served as the 'Jump' button when most games used the C button.

Acclaim would produce two official sequels to the game: The Simpsons: Bart vs. The World and The Simpsons: Bartman Meets Radioactive Man for the NES. Several more video games would be released featuring The Simpsons characters.

[edit] Plot and game objectives

In the single player game, Bart Simpson is the only one who knows of the aliens' secret plan and he has to stop them from collecting the items they need to build their weapons to take over the world. In each level, Bart must collect a certain number of a specific item, i.e. purple objects, hats, balloons, exit signs or nuclear rods, before he meets up with a boss at the end of the level.

The bosses, like the levels, are familiar to fans of the Simpsons animated series and some of the television humor does appear in the game: in the first level Bart can make a prank call to Moe in order for him to run outside so that the player can spraypaint his purple shirt.

Bart is only able to withstand two direct hits, and after three lives it is Game Over (if there are no continues or passwords available). Collecting Krusty icons can provide an extra life, and there are a variety of juvenile weapons to collect and use (Spraypaint in Level 1, Slingshot in Level 3, Dart Gun in Level 4). Bart can also collect coins to purchase weapons or to gain an extra life.

The major defensive weapons are x-ray glasses that reveal which of the Springfield citizens are human and which are aliens in disguise (similar to the film They Live). Jumping on the aliens will force them to flee the human body and leave behind an icon that begins to spell one of the Simpson's family names (i.e. Homer, Maggie, Marge or Lisa). If Bart manages to jump on enough aliens to spell out the family member's name, that family member will appear to assist him in defeating the boss. However, if Bart jumps on a human being, he will take damage.

[edit] Criticism

This game was not especially well received and met with limited financial success. Its nonsensical plot and deviation from the Simpsons franchise did not help it garner fans in the long run. Others felt that the game was too hard, with its harsh deaths (sometimes jumping at an alien inhabited body from the wrong angle could kill you) and lack of extra lives. But the game was not considered as being a disaster by all reviewers, and got decent reviews in some magazines.