Even now, fans have a soft spot for The Simpsons: Hit & Run, and we might have seen more of it if not for a twist in its early days.
When it comes to universally adored PS2 games, The Simpsons: Hit & Run sits at the top of the list. I’ve yet to hear anyone say a bad word about it, and the demand for a port or a remaster remains strong. Despite its popularity and solid sales back in the day, no sequel ever emerged. However, we might finally have a clue why. Earlier this month, Summoning Salt, a YouTuber known for creating in-depth documentaries on the history of gamers’ speedrunning records, dropped a video centered on The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Spotted by GamesRadar, an intriguing tidbit was left by the game’s lead designer, Joe McGinn, in the comments section.
McGinn initially remarked on how “incredibly fun and heartwarming” it was to see the video spotlighting his work. Later, he added a little bombshell—there could have been up to three sequels. And here’s the kicker: those sequels could have been made without dropping a dime on The Simpsons’ license. Apparently, Gracie Films, the production company behind The Simpsons, had presented a deal to the publisher. They offered the rights and access to voice actors for three sequels at a bargain price of zero dollars. Essentially, no licensing fees would apply.
Despite such a tempting offer and the undeniable success of the original game, it all went up in smoke. It seems someone at the publishing house turned down the offer. As McGinn put it, “some crazy person at the publisher – we never found out who – said no.” It’s a baffling decision and one that’s surely troubled the developers over the years. Unfortunately, two decades on, there isn’t much that can be done. Still, fingers crossed for at least a port someday.
