For over three decades, The Simpsons has been a pop culture juggernaut, and its influence extends far beyond the small screen. Among the many video game adaptations, one title has achieved legendary status among fans: The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Now, it seems the beloved open-world adventure might be gearing up for a comeback.
During a recent panel at D23 Expo titled The Simpsons: Stories from Springfield, creator Matt Groening and the show's team fielded questions from eager fans. When asked about the possibility of a sequel to Hit & Run—especially with The Simpsons Movie returning in 2027—Groening offered a tantalizing hint. He said the "original game is coming back in some form," though showrunner Matt Selman quickly added "or not," leaving the door open for changes. The playful exchange has sparked a wave of speculation across the gaming community.
Released in 2003, The Simpsons: Hit & Run was a critical and commercial success, often described as "The Simpsons meets Grand Theft Auto." Players could step into the shoes of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and even Apu, navigating a fully realized Springfield while completing missions and uncovering a conspiracy. The game's blend of humor, exploration, and familiar characters earned it a solid 78 critic score and an 8.5 user score on Metacritic, and it remains a fan favorite to this day, kept alive through physical copies and dedicated modding communities.
If the game does return, it would join a long line of Simpsons video game adaptations. The franchise's gaming history dates back to 1991 with Bart vs. the Space Mutants, a platformer that had Bart thwarting alien invaders across Springfield. In 2007, The Simpsons Game offered an original story where the family discovers they have superpowers, only to face off against Kang and Kodos. More recently, The Simpsons: Tapped Out became a mobile sensation from 2012 until its shutdown in January 2025, and The Simpsons Arcade hit arcades in 2021.
Groening's tease comes at a time when The Simpsons is enjoying a resurgence in pop culture, thanks to collaborations with games like Fortnite and Monopoly GO. During the panel, the team joked that their Fortnite crossover was what was "keeping Fortnite going," a lighthearted nod to the show's enduring relevance.
While details remain scarce, the prospect of revisiting Springfield in a modern Hit & Run has fans dreaming of updated graphics, new missions, and the same irreverent humor that made the original a classic. Whether it's a remaster, a sequel, or something entirely new, the excitement is palpable.
For those looking to revisit the show itself, The Simpsons is available to stream on Disney+. And if you're curious about the show's more controversial moments, check out our deep dive into why Apu was silenced. For more gaming nostalgia, explore our list of the best Jurassic Park video games.
Stay tuned for updates on this potential return. If Groening's tease is anything to go by, Springfield's streets might soon be bustling with players once again.
