The Simpsons creator Matt Groening has teased that the fan-favorite 2003 game The Simpsons: Hit & Run is “coming back in some form,” potentially hinting at a long-awaited revival of the classic title. Developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games, The Simpsons: Hit & Run originally launched on PS2, GameCube, Xbox, and PC, but it remains unavailable on current-generation consoles despite persistent fan requests.
A big hit with fans, The Simpsons: Hit & Run combined arcade driving with on-foot exploration across several versions of Springfield, taking plenty of inspiration from Grand Theft Auto 3 while placing characters like Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, and Apu behind the wheel. The concept proved successful both critically and commercially, with Vivendi reporting more than 3.5 million copies sold worldwide by 2005. Its reputation has endured long after its release, with current showrunner Matt Selman, who also co-wrote the game, describing its status as a cult success earlier this year while acknowledging fan interest in a Simpsons: Hit & Run revival.
The Simpsons: Hit & Run Gets Its Biggest Comeback Tease Yet
Fans received a much more intriguing piece of news about The Simpsons: Hit & Run during this year’s Disney D23 2026 Simpsons panel. When Selman was asked about another Hit & Run game in the future, the showrunner initially said such a game “would certainly be a treat,” before Groening went considerably further, saying, “I think the original game is coming back in some form.” Selman immediately followed that comment with “or not,” adding another layer of ambiguity to Groening’s unexpected comment. The creator and showrunner provided no further details about what the apparent Simpsons: Hit & Run comeback might entail as the speakers pivoted to another game in the franchise. Direct footage from the panel has appeared online and been posted on YouTube.
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Image via Radical Entertainment -
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Groening’s choice of words makes a remake, remaster, or modern re-release appear more plausible than a direct sequel, as he specifically referred to “the original game.” Fans should note that nothing has been formally announced, and there is currently no confirmed developer or publisher attached to any project. However, fans have frequently requested a Simpsons: Hit & Run remake, while interestingly, veterans of Radical Entertainment and Hothead Games resurfaced earlier in 2026 as New Radical Games. The new company offers development, porting, and remastering services, although there is no evidence connecting it to Groening’s apparent tease.
Nevertheless, the timing would make sense for Hit & Run to return. Disney is currently placing renewed interest in the franchise, with another theatrical Simpsons movie officially scheduled for September 3, 2027. A modern release of one of the franchise’s most successful games could capitalize on that attention while finally making The Simpsons: Hit & Run easily accessible to players without original hardware. What’s more, the continued popularity of remakes and remasters of PS2-era games also gives a potential Hit & Run revival a clear precedent in the modern market.
For now, fans should resist treating Groening’s comment as confirmation of a specific Simpsons: Hit & Run project. Disney has announced nothing so far, and “coming back in some form” could describe anything from a straightforward port to a full-scale remake to a commemorative set of merchandise. Still, the source of the tease makes this different from the usual speculation surrounding The Simpsons: Hit & Run‘s return. After years of fan campaigns and hypothetical discussions, the possibility of a return is now being raised by The Simpsons‘ own creator, giving renewed weight to speculation about another trip through the game’s version of Springfield.
- Released
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September 16, 2003
- ESRB
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3+
- Developer(s)
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Radical Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
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Radical Entertainment
- Engine
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unreal engine 5
