About The Simpsons: Hit & Run
Radical Entertainment’s The Simpsons: Hit & Run came out in 2003 from Vivendi Universal Games on PS2, Xbox, GameCube and PC. It borrows the open-world mix of driving and on-foot missions popularized by Grand Theft Auto and sets it in Springfield, with the show’s cast voicing their characters and plenty of jokes aimed at longtime fans.
Over seven levels you play as Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Apu, taking on story missions, racing, collecting cards and hidden items, and trying to work out why strange wasp-shaped cameras and a suspicious new soda have turned up all over town. Along the way you unlock new cars, from family vehicles to joke cars pulled from the series.
How it runs in your browser
This fan port compiles the game to WebAssembly, which lets it run in a browser tab with no plugins. The soundtrack streams as you play instead of loading all at once. There are two builds, and both open on their host’s site in a new tab:
- WASM Arcade hosts the main build.
- shar-wasm is a separate WebAssembly build that skips the intro movie, so you reach the menu sooner.
Nothing needs to be installed. If one build stalls while loading, try the other host before giving up. Progress saving isn’t listed for either build, so treat each session as a fresh start and focus on one level at a time. There’s no online play.
Controls and devices
Play on a computer with a keyboard. Phones aren’t supported, and controller support isn’t listed for this port. Neither host publishes a key list, so look in the options menu for the bindings before your first mission.
Who it’s for
Hit & Run has kept a loyal following for two decades thanks to its writing, its compact version of Springfield and its easygoing driving. It suits Simpsons fans, people who played it on a console years ago and want a quick revisit, and anyone after a lighter open-world game that doesn’t take itself seriously.
Is The Simpsons: Hit & Run Free, Safe and Official?
Is The Simpsons: Hit & Run free in the browser?
Yes. Both builds run in a browser tab at no cost, and there is nothing to install.
What’s the difference between the two versions?
Both are WebAssembly builds of the same game. The shar-wasm build skips the intro movie, while WASM Arcade hosts the main build.
Does it work on phones?
No. It’s listed for computers only, so use a desktop or laptop with a keyboard.
