Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Simpsons Wrestling positions itself as the first PlayStation game to feature America’s favorite animated family, and it certainly leans into that pedigree by offering a roster of playable icons. From Homer’s signature belly-flop moves to Bart’s mischievous skateboard tricks, each character boasts a unique special move that reflects their television persona. You can choose from familiar faces such as Moe, Barney, Krusty, Lisa, Marge, Apu, and more, and once you lock in a fighter, you’ll engage in frantic one-on-one brawls or chaotic four-way matches.

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Controls in The Simpsons Wrestling are straightforward, with a button for punches, another for grapples, and a dedicated “special” button tied to each character’s finisher. For casual players, this pick-up-and-play approach is a blessing: there’s minimal learning curve, so you can immediately start slamming opponents or launching them into the air. However, those seeking deep wrestling simulation mechanics may find the system too shallow, as combos are short and ring psychology is all but ignored.

Match arenas are equally varied, letting you fight in iconic Springfield locations like the Kwik-E-Mart, the nuclear power plant, and Mr. Burns’s mansion. Each stage features interactive objects—ice cream freezers, bowling pins, even cans of Duff beer—that you can hurl at opponents. These environmental hazards add a layer of chaos, though sometimes the camera struggles to keep up when the action becomes particularly hectic.

Game modes include a basic exhibition mode for quick skirmishes, a tournament ladder where you climb the wrestling ranks, and a two-player versus mode for local head-to-head battles. There’s no story-driven campaign per se, but the tournament ladder loosely ties matches together by having you face increasingly challenging opponents. Replay value hinges largely on multiplayer sessions: solo runs are fun for a few hours, but the real longevity emerges when you rope in friends for couch competition.

Graphics

The visual presentation of The Simpsons Wrestling captures the cartoon’s colorful, exaggerated style, translating it into early-3D models with surprisingly bright textures. Character models are instantly recognizable—Homer’s doughy silhouette and Marge’s towering blue hair stand out in the ring—though polygon counts are understandably modest by modern standards. Facial expressions shift between grins, grimaces, and cartoonish shock, adding personality to each hit and taunt.

Arenas are faithfully recreated in 3D, complete with background gags and nods to show lore. You’ll spot Apu’s Kwik-E-Mart stocked with Squishees, the power plant’s cooling towers looming beyond the ring, and the opulent chandeliers inside Burns’s mansion. Interactive set pieces respond with simple animations—shelves topple and barrels roll—though sometimes objects clip into characters or textures briefly flicker when the camera pans rapidly.

One drawback of the graphics engine is occasional slowdown when multiple explosions or debris effects occur simultaneously. In a four-player brawl, you might see the frame rate dip as thrown items bounce around. Still, the art direction remains consistent with The Simpsons universe, and the vibrant color palette helps maintain clarity amid the on-screen mayhem.

Story

True to its arcade-style roots, The Simpsons Wrestling doesn’t spin a deep narrative web. Instead, it offers a tongue-in-cheek premise: Mr. Burns has organized Springfield’s first-ever family-friendly wrestling tournament to boost his public image. You select your favorite Yellow Family member (or adjoining side characters) and fight through successive bouts to prove you’re the town’s top grappler.

Between matches, brief cutscenes and on-screen text provide comedic interludes, featuring quips from commentator Ken Shamrock and Homer’s iconic one-liners. These moments don’t amount to a cinematic story but serve as light-hearted breathing room between the punches and piledrivers. It’s more of a loose framework than a compelling plot—an approach that aligns with the game’s arcade mentality.

Despite the slim narrative, the game manages to inject small doses of Simpsons humor. Whether it’s Krusty attempting a clown-themed special move or Lisa chastising players for using foul language during the match, these touches capture the show’s irreverent spirit. Fans looking for more than just slugfests won’t find a dramatic saga here, but they will appreciate the playful callbacks to classic episodes.

Overall Experience

The Simpsons Wrestling is best viewed as a lighthearted party game rather than a serious wrestling simulator. Its strength lies in fan service—seeing Springfield’s cast brawl in familiar settings with cartoon-accurate flair makes for a nostalgic thrill. Matches are fast-paced, easy to learn, and often devolve into uproarious chaos when friends join in for multiplayer sessions.

On the downside, the simplicity of the combat system and lack of depth in single-player modes limit long-term engagement. Once you’ve worked your way through the roster in tournament mode, there’s little incentive to keep grinding unless you’re chasing personal high scores or mastering every character’s move set. The camera and occasional slowdown can also hamper critical moments, though they rarely ruin the overall fun.

For potential buyers, your enjoyment will hinge on how much you value casual, Simpsons-themed brawling. If you’re a die-hard fan craving an interactive trip through Springfield’s wackiest locations and relish the idea of mashing buttons as Homer, Bart, or Marge, this title delivers the goods. Competitive wrestling aficionados or solo gamers seeking narrative depth may want to look elsewhere. In short, The Simpsons Wrestling shines brightest in group settings—just don’t expect it to reinvent the ring.

Retro Replay Score

4.7/10