Virtual Bart

Virtual Bart
Developer(s)	Sculptured Software
Publisher(s)	NA Acclaim PAL Acclaim JP Acclaim Japan
Platform(s)	Super NES, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Release date(s)	Super Nintendo JP September 30, 1994 NA September 26, 1994 Sega Genesis JP December 31, 1995 NA 1994 PAL 1994
Mode(s)	Single-player
Distribution	16-megabit cartridge

Virtual Bart is one of the many The Simpsons licensed games. It was released for the Super NES and Genesis/Mega Drive in 1994 by Acclaim. The official guide to the game (Virtual Bart: Official Game Secrets) was written by Steve Schwartz (Prima Publishing, 1995). A Virtual Boy port of this game was planned, however it was never released because of the failure of the console.

Gameplay

Bart motors through the ruins of Springfield in the "Post-Apocalypse" level of the Sega Genesis version.

At a science fair, Bart wanders into a virtual reality exhibit and must pass all the "virtual worlds" (levels) to escape the machine. Passing a set of virtual worlds grants an ending sequence, and completing all the levels without losing all lives remaining wins the game. The format is similar to the previously released Bart's Nightmare, save for the lack of a hub world from which the levels are accessed. Gameplay for most of the levels consists of standard platforming elements. If the player runs out of lives, game over occurs.

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the SNES version a 4.8 out of 10, commenting that "The control is awful (like on the dinosaur stage), the stages unappealing, and the whole thing seems rushed."^[1]

Reviewing the Genesis port, GamePro praised it as being "virtual identical" to the SNES original. They commented of the game itself that "The humorous variations on Bart, different game play (including behind-the-Bart racing and a shooter level), and cameos of Simpsons nitwits all combine to keep the action intriguing and funny."^[2]

References