The Simpsons: Road Rage (GBA) (The Simpsons: Road Rage (GBA))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	The Simpsons: Road Rage (GBA)
Date:	06/06/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Somewhat accurate to series

Disadvantages: Simple gameplay, Graphics

"The Simpsons: Road Rage" is a video game released for the Gameboy Advance console in 2003 by THQ. It is a driving game based on the popular animated series known as "The Simpsons". In the United States, the game received a rating of "E" by the ESRB panel which deemed it suitable for all ages.

Mr. Burns has overthrown Springfield's public transit system and has substituted high priced nuclear devices. In order for the residents to claim back their system, they must pay Mr. Burns the sum of $1M Dollars and to do so run their own private transportation business. The player assumes the role of a taxi driver and must collect fares and deliver them to their destination as quickly as possible. The game bears resemblance to "Crazy Taxi" in this respect and also rewards the player for adjusting to the passenger's personality. Bart Simpson, for example, will tip the driver excessively for hitting other vehicles on the way to his destination. Where the gameplay falls apart, I find, is its lack of differentiation in the task. While the core component of the game is transporting others to their destination, the characters will always request the same destination each time. There is little chance to explore Springfield in its virtual glory as the player is often confined to the same routes.

The graphics are presented from a trailing view of the vehicle. While I was able to see the traditional Springfield landmarks, their appearance was often distorted and pixelated. This hindered the game's experience for me as I felt like I was playing an earlier Gameboy Color title as opposed to a more recent Advance game. Each of the passengers also show an odd walk as they exit the taxi and proceed to their destination. It seem as if the developers scrolled an image cell as opposed to animating it. The soundtrack is also limited in its delivery to simple engine sounds and car honking; there is, unfortunately, no voice cues from the Simpsons franchise.

Overall, Road Rage is not a game I would recommend to prospective buyers. While it borrows a popular name, I found the actual brand integration to be limited and often did not feel as if I was experiencing a true "Simpsons" release.

Summary: Thumbs down