The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield
ザ・シンプソンズ: バーチャル スプリングフィールド
The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield is an adventure video game developed by Digital Evolution and Fox Interactive for Windows and Macintosh computers in 1997. And this is what many of us watch(ed) the show, created by Matt Groening! I had this at school but wasn’t allowed to touch Moe’s Tavern (which has the keys labeled “Spanky” on it so the user can access Principal Skinner’s office). Years later, I did manage to load the game on my old Windows 7 laptop. This post also pays tribute to Russi Taylor (pictured below), the original Minnie Mouse. This PC game sadly does not have a release in Japan (though The Simpsons characters have five fingers in the Japanese version).
The objective of the game is to explore a virtual representation of the fictional town Springfield featured in the animated television series The Simpsons. Throughout the town, there are various character cards that the player collects. It features dialogue performed by the cast members of the series. Critics have given Virtual Springfield mixed reviews. The plot and gameplay have been the target of criticism, while the game has been praised for its humor.
Virtual Springfield was published by the now-closed Fox Interactive for Windows and Macintosh computers in 1997. It was developed by the now-closed Digital Evolution.
Cast members of The Simpsons, including Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, Russi Taylor (deceased 2019), Tress MacNeille, Maggie Roswell, and Phil Hartman (deceased 1998), provided their voices for the dialog in the game. Bonita Pietila, who has worked on the show, directed the voice actors.
Virtual Springfield is a first-person adventure game that allows players to explore a 3D simulation of Springfield, the fictional town featured in the animated television series The Simpsons and the home of the Simpson family. Many of the familiar locations from the show are present, including Moe’s Tavern, Springfield Elementary School, the Kwik-E-Mart, Krustylu Studios, and the Simpsons’ house. Players can interact with Simpsons characters such as Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, and Ned Flanders in the game.
Virtual Springfield has the overall goal of collecting an entire set of character cards throughout Springfield. To fully do so, the player must unlock hidden areas by obtaining secret items. A map of the town is featured that gives instructions to players on where to go so that they can progress through the game. Various minigames can be played at certain locations in the game. These include some video games that have previously been seen on The Simpsons, such as the boxing game Slugfest that Homer and Bart played in the season one episode “Moaning Lisa”.
That’s the end of this post, and… D’OH!
