The Simpsons: Hit & Run (PS2)

Up to now The Simpsons games have been nothing if not consistent: they've all been completely rubbish. However, The Simpsons: Hit & Run thankfully breaks this 100 per cent record, and although it's hardly a classic in its own right it's just the thing for fans who want to worship their favourite characters through the medium of the joypad.

Like many of the more recent Simpsons games Hit & Run is primarily a racing game--a racing game that's very obviously using Grand Theft Auto as its primary inspiration. There's less swearing and gore but just as much running people over and driving lots of different vehicles. You can't steal them off the street, admittedly, and the missions are presented in a much more linear fashion, but otherwise this is GTA: Springfield through and through.

Somewhat embarrassingly for GTA, the on-the-foot sections are actually handled rather better than Rockstar's game, with a fairly non-rubbish camera and a decent control system that actually makes the occasional platform sections rather fun.

Most of the game is about driving, though, whether it be racing Principle Skinner to school in order to give Lisa her homework or helping Bart buy some illegal fireworks from around town. It's only when controlling underage characters such as Bart that the game's concept really starts to seem peculiar (he only drives unmotorised vehicles) but otherwise the addition of all the proper voice actors from the TV show make this the first Simpsons game ever that is in any way worthy of a purchase. --David Jenkins

"A surprising treat... the best Simpsons game ever made. 80%."

"In Hit and Run we finally get a Simpsons game worth playing. 81%."

There are strange happenings in Springfield. People are missing, very mysterious crop circles are appearing and hidden cameras are being exposed. When Homer notices a black van with a satellite dish parked outside the Simpsons house, he decides to investigate further into these odd events. What he reveals could be the biggest mystery to rock Springfield since Who Shot Mr Burns?

The Simpsons Hit & Run promises a hilarious mission-based driving game with exciting out-of-the-car platform gameplay, the signature satire of The Simpsons and the interactive world of Springfield.

• Over 56 driving and on-foot missions in 7 huge levels spread out over the familiar Springfield landmarks
• Explore Springfield like never before - ON FOOT - as Homer, Bart, Apu, Marge, and Lisa.
• For the first time, explore the interiors of locations like the Kwik-e-mart, the Power Plant, and even the Simpsons home.
• Brand new story and dialogue written by award-winning The Simpsons writers
• Voiced by The Simpsons cast for full brand authenticity
• Drive as 17 different characters including Cletus, Comic Book Guy, and Principal Skinner with his nagging Mother as a backseat driver.
• Over 40 unique vehicles to unlock including Homer`s Mr. Plow and Cletus`s pick-up truck.
• Pick-up-and play game controls are inviting for non-gaming Simpsons fan while challenging the serious gamer
• In-game animated gags and hidden jokes throughout the environments give the genuine feel of being in an episode of The Simpsons.
• Hidden pickups containing episode-specific bonus material from the last 14 seasons to reward The Simpsons fan and increase the shelf life of title.
• Multiplayer mode for up-to 4 players in unlockable driving challenges.