The Simpsons: Hit & Run – Is the Cult Game Really Coming Back?

At a D23 panel in Anaheim, Simpsons creator Matt Groening apparently let something slip that wasn't supposed to be public yet: When asked if The Simpsons: Hit & Run could ever return, he replied with, “I believe the original game is coming back in some form.“ Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman immediately interjected, adding dryly, “Or not.“

What exactly did Matt Groening say at D23?

The statement was made spontaneously during an open Q&A session and, according to several media outlets present, seemed like an unplanned insider slip-up, not a planned announcement. Groening's phrasing “in some form“ deliberately leaves open whether it would be a faithful remaster, a complete remake, or an entirely new game in the Hit & Run style. Selman's immediate “Or not“ ultimately caused more confusion than clarity.

Why are comeback rumors circulating again right now?

The speculation doesn't come out of nowhere: Back in March this year, Selman had already said in another interview regarding further Hit & Run content that one should “never say never.“ The Simpsons: Hit & Run originally released in 2003 for PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC and is still considered one of the most popular licensed games ever – a GTA-esque open-world game set in Springfield, which fans have kept alive for years through petitions and fan remakes, even though it never officially received a sequel or a remaster. This very fan loyalty is likely a reason why even such a vague hint immediately makes headlines.

From our perspective, caution is advisable regarding such D23 statements anyway: Creative minds like Groening often speak off the cuff at such panels; official announcements from Disney and The Simpsons creators typically go through separate, carefully planned press releases. Until such an announcement exists, it remains a hope – albeit a very well-founded one.

Source: Nintendo Life, IGN

Would you be excited about a Hit & Run remake, or should the original simply remain untouched? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!