The opposite can be said for their video game lineup. In the early 90's-2002 Simpsons had some video games on the market, but besides the Arcade game most were forgettable including Simpsons Wrestling, Simpsons Skateboarding, and Bart's Nightmare just to name a few. Lately though they have gotten progressively better. You had the Crazy Taxi knock off called Road Rage, the GTA clone in Hit and Run, and now easily the best Simpsons title ever comes to basically all "living" platforms appropriately titled "The Simpsons Game" and whether you lost interest years ago, or still watch every Sunday, you'll have no choice than to fall in love with this title.

Granted the game is FAR from perfect, and as games themselves go, it is not much more than a C+ title. As a Simpsons game, this fits the bill and delivers some very diverse level designs, revisits some classic Simpsons moments, and even uses some current even jokes that will make you laugh out loud at times. When can you say that about an episode of the show in the last few years?

The visual style is done with cel shaded animations to keep the look of the show as close as possible so you feel as if you are playing a cartoon. The premise is hilarious as you find yourself in certain situations and you must use the game manual or strategy guide in the game to succeed. You'll be able to visit tons of Simpsons landmarks made famous throughout the show, from Moe's Tavern, the Nuclear Power Plant, the KBBL studios, and much more. Basically if an episode worth remembering has a special place in Springfield, you can bet it's in the game. Not everything is peaches and cream though (mmm peaches) as the camera can be a bear at times. Sometimes the camera will hide behind a wall and make it impossible to see objectives, or sometimes you can't control it at all so you are forced to make your jumps and platforming moves in camera angles than may not be perfect for that situation. Of course none of these issues keep the game from being unplayable, but it definitely will turn that smile into an angry frown from time to time.

The game will take you through 4 acts and over 15 various locals that not only take place in Springfield, but actually poke fun at several movies and video game licenses, such as Everquest, GTA, and Medal of Honor. Between acts you can openly travel around Springfield and see all the sites. Shockingly you have to walk from place to place or use a bus stop to warp, but you can never get into a vehicle and just go for a spin. Thankfully the over world isn't for exploration, just a fun little way to go from one story to the next.

Audio in the game fits the game perfectly and delivers everything you would love to hear in a Simpsons game. You hear famous one liners from all your favorite characters. Authentic sound effects straight from the show and even a great musical score bring the whole mix together. Granted the belching sounds are odd, and the Land of Chocolate music isn't the actual theme, but the remake is pretty close. Little things like this are just nitpicky but I have to acknowledge it for all the hardcore fans out there.

Controlling the Simpsons is as easy as pie. (mmm pie) Throughout the game you will control one of two Simpson characters, but only Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, and Maggie. It would have been fun to play missions as some of the side characters, but the story makes enough since to see why the family is the main characters of the game.

All characters have your typical attacking and jumping buttons, but there are special "super powers" each Simpson has individually. Depending on who you use allows you to use certain abilities given to them to fend off baddies and reach normally unreachable heights. For instance; Homer can become a large homer ball and suck up helium, Bart can become Bart-man using a grappling hook and cape, and of course his classic slingshot, Lisa has here trusty sax-a-ma-phone and can become Clobber Girl, Marge has a megaphone to gather up angry mobs, and Maggie…well you get to go in to FPS mode and crawl through small spaces.

The game is pretty straight forward, but it does toss in some challenging puzzles and situations where you will have to think (stupid brain). The A.I. is almost as dumb as Homer, but there are some situations where you may feel a bit overrun by enemies. These are the times were you must find the best way to eliminate them or you'll find yourself repeating levels multiple times.

Not only is the Simpsons Game a fun go through as solo campaign, but you can go through the game Co-Op style with a friend to complete these levels of insanity. Throughout the game you can collect items such as Krusty Koupons, Malibu Stacy seals, Duff Bottle Caps, Try-n-Save Coupons, and even Video Game Clichés. Doing so will unlock goodies including costumes. While it is linear in story, there is a bit of replay value involved in forms of time attacks and collectables.

All in all if you are a fan of the show, past or present, you must pick this one up. You know who you are, especially if you've bought all the DVD's, saw the movie opening weekend, or even did the Simpsonizeme campaign online to make yourself a Simpsons character, this game has you written all over it. While the Conan O'Brien years of the Simpsons are nothing but a wonderful memory, it is nice to laugh at the Simpsons one more time and actually mean it!