I Thought Lisa Was A Vegitarian!

Author's Rating:

Pros: It's Simpsons, It's wrestling, 'nuff said

Cons: Graphics are a little pathetic

The Bottom Line: 
Just rent it and try it for yourself.

Author's Review
Here we go, the first Simpsons game for the PSX, and it's really less than desired. I guess the plot really doesn't help the game much:

Aliens (Kang & Kodos of so many "Treehouse of Horror" specials) have come to Earth looking for the best fighter in Springfield, otherwise Earth will be terminated. It seems that Kang & Kodos saw Jebidiah Springfield (the founder of the Simpsons home town) when he wrestled the bear and believes that all of the citizens of Springfield are equally as tough.

What an Oscar calibre plot!! Sounds spine-tingly-dingly. Anyway...

The object is to select one of the eight Sprinfieldianites (four more can be unlocked) (NOTE: they actually were once referred to as Springfieldianites in one episode) and fight all of the other competitors and finally battle Kang & Kodos for the Earth.

All matches are best of three fall (you can change this, of course) street fights where anything goes. But, how simple is it?

Well, to be honest, the first few opponents are simple. Just stick with a move or two (from your very limited selection) and pin them when they are knocked out. But, after getting past the Bumblebee Man (the first unlockable character), the difficulty is jacked up to an unbelievable standard. Hell, I was never pinned until I ran into Lisa. Speaking of Lisa, there is a problem, and I learned it when I fought her.

A slight problem with the game is some of the selected moves for the competitors. I really don't think that Lisa (who is a peace-loving vegitarian) would want to take a bite out of her opposition (she did that to me many times in our encounter). That's just not up to the logic that most Simpsons fans have adopted while viewing the show.

Another little thing that should have been tweaked before the game was sent out was the graphics. Sure, after a while, you will get used to it. But there are some people who have found the graphics appauling (just read the unfair, heavy-handed, just plain dopey review of this game in The Official PlayStation Magazine), and I have found the graphics to be a bit of a bother. The characters just seem a little bizarre to me. They just don't look natural (at least, not "Simpsons" natural).

But, all the cheezy grapics aside, the game makes up by being able to tell who is fighting. Each character has custom trashtalk for all of there opponents. There's something that hasn't been seen in any other PSX wrestling title, and that is true.

The controls are a little bit new. You have four easy buttons and they all do a different thing (i.e. the triangle button is a projectile attack) But, you have to watch your energy levels. If you don't have enough energy, you won't be able to execute your desirable attack. Like I said, it's a little different.

Overall, loyal reader, if you are a fan of the Simpsons, and a fan of pro-wrestling, then this game is right up your allley (oops, sorry. alleys are bowling, not wrestling). Sure, the controls will take a while to learn, but that is to be expected. But, if you are a little questionable about it, then just stick with your copy of "SmackDown! 2".

Trust me on this one. You'll thank me later.