The Simpsons Game DS eyes-on

The gang at EA were nice enough to give us an exclusive (and lengthy) look at The Simpsons Game on the DS. All you need to do is listen to just one of our podcasts to learn that we are huge Simpsons fans. We have been with the series since its inception, and still quote it to this day. That’s why it is so great to see the license being handled with such care. The console version of the game has been getting a ton of attention, but the DS deserves just as much, if not more. I haven’t truly enjoyed a Simpsons game since the awesome arcade version, but the DS game will definitely be putting an end to that.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much is packed into this game. There are so many gameplay elements that it boggles the mind. Not only is the game spoofing traditional gaming cliches, it is melding them into an all-inclusive gaming experience. Just to list what we got to see during our demo showcase, there was platforming, puzzling, fighting, a little bit of RTS action, simulation, god-game, and even RPG. All of that was shown off in the course of 20 minutes. There is something for everyone here, and from watching the demo being played for us, all of it seems to mesh nicely and perform well.

As the (blurry) screen shows above, The Simpsons Game sets out to spoof all types of games. The DS version even goes after titles that the console versions don’t. I am sure you can pick out the homage in the screen above, “handled with loving care” as the EA rep put it. There are gaming cliches and send-ups throughout the entire game. We got a sneak peak of a Donkey Kong like character that was operating and crate and barrel machine, a Frogger-like minigame, and even Lisa fighting of generic karate-empowered enemies that looked just a tad like Ryu.

How they fit all this onto a DS cartridge is beyond me. To make it even more amazing, there is 22 minutes of footage in the game, and over 2500 lines of spoken dialog. That means your favorite characters will be spouting lines the entire time, and you won’t be missing out on the cut-scenes in the DS version. This game really will bring the full Simpsons experience to the DS.

Oh, by the way, I give my vote to the DS version for the best graphics. Without a doubt (in my mind), this version looks the most like the actual television series. The console graphics are fantastic, and they do an impeccable job of representing the show in 3d. Having said that, the DS version is the only true 2d version (3d characters than converted to 2d). The game has brilliant colors, outstanding animation, and the look that I want from a Simpsons game.

Without sounding like a gushing Simpsons fanboy (too late), do not overlook this DS version. This looks to be a massive 2d adventure that will take you all throughout the Simpsons world as well as the worlds gaming has offered from the days of the NES until now.