Although it has some issues, The Simpsons Hit & Run has gone down as something of a classic since its release almost 20 years ago. The game took the GTA template and added America's most dysfunctional family, creating a fun romp which found a solid audience on PS2, Xbox and GameCube, selling over 3 million copies worldwide.
Despite the obvious desire for a remake or sequel – and interest from co-showrunner Matt Selman – it doesn't look like we'll be getting a new instalment any time soon (Selman says that "it's a complicated corporate octopus to try to make that happen", apparently). That's why modder Reubs decided to take matters into his own hands and recreate the game using Unreal Engine 5 – with impressive results.
Using a tool created by another developer, Lucas Cardellini, Reubs exported the map of Springfield from the original game into Unreal Engine, then used a combination of AI and manual effort to add textures. He even went as far as to enable ray-tracing, and ripped audio from the original so the characters could speak. Then he got down to programming in all of the gameplay elements – such as collectable items – finally pulling together the opening segment of the original game in a playable demo.
So impressive was this feat that Joe McGinn, who was the lead design on The Simpsons Hit & Run, posted on Reubs' YouTube account to say how much he loved the demo:
Hi, I'm the lead designer on the original game. Amazing what you accomplished! Really gives a taste of what a full modern remaster could be. Impressive work!
Unfortunately, it looks like Disney's lawyers got in touch because Reubs has removed the demo from his site. However, the reaction from the general public might hopefully convince the people in charge to pull some strings and make a remaster happen – because there's clearly plenty of demand. We might see more fan-made takes on this this, however, as it has been revealed that the source code has leaked online.
Comments 20
"If something is hard to do, it's not worth doing" (Homer Simpson, 1992)
Truly beautiful
We didn't realize it at the time, but Hit & Run really capped off the "good" era of the Simpsons.
This seems like an AM2R endeavor where all of this effort goes into a project, then when it's almost complete the official game gets a remaster or remake.
"This 'Simpsons Hit & Run' Fan Remade The Game In A Week..."
That's good!
"...Using Unreal Engine"
That's bad.
At the time I don't think as many people knew how good this game was and still is. Although I can't see anything official ever happening as the show as a whole just exists now for the sake of it rather than being any good.
@KayFiOS But the Unreal Engine comes with a free frogurt.
That's good!
Finally, took my gamecube to be repaired. The Pandemic put that in hold for 1.5 years.
Turns out, it was ac adapter failure, the console is fine!
Imagine that.
**Estarland does not do a console diagnostic while you wait, even though their website says it does. Nor do they reply to tech support email. Call instead.
@Damo just a heads up. Hit & Run's source code leaked as well, alongside Radical Entertainment's Hulk game
@Terra I've added that in - thanks!
This really makes me want an official Hit & Run enhanced port even more but won't get my hopes up considering Disney seems to be completely inept with the game industry.
"Trying is the first step towards failure."
(Homer Simpson)
@WoomyNNYes The frogurt is also rendered in Unreal Engine.
That's bad.
@Damo No worries!
See all that stuff in there Homer? That's why your remake never worked
That's unpossible!
@Zenszulu It leaned a bit too much on racing challenges for my taste, but yeah, it was a brilliant rendition of Springfield and its denizens, back when the show could still considered among the very best of TV, even it had already began losing its luster.
@Kochambra I'll agree with that a little too much racing at times. But as a fully fleshed out version of Springfield it was great to just explore and was a great use of the license.
...Unreal is a meme at this point. lol
I think the game kinda looks too bright. And looking back at it they‘d really have to do more than a simple remaster because it does look kind of emtpy.
Given the many license issues they‘d have to overcome in order to make a reamster/remake I honestly doubt it will ever happen. It was a fine game though (d‘oh).
Here we go...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Y_d_Lhp60
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