Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Itchy & Scratchy Game delivers a classic side-scrolling platform experience that places you squarely in the paws of Itchy, the ever-resilient mouse. From the moment you pick up the default mallet, you’ll find yourself navigating tightly designed, maze-like levels filled with doors, platforms, and secret corridors. Combat is fast-paced and demands precise timing, whether you’re bashing Scratchy with your trusty mallet or experimenting with one of the many weapons scattered throughout each stage.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Each of the seven levels boasts its own unique theme, ranging from a dilapidated museum to an interstellar space station. These varied backdrops not only introduce fresh hazards—moving platforms, swinging pendulums, slippery surfaces—but also reward exploration. By investigating every nook and cranny, players can uncover bonus weapons like dynamite sticks or spring-loaded boxing gloves, each drastically changing the way you tackle foes and environmental traps.

Boss encounters against Scratchy are the game’s true highlight. On first collision, Scratchy flees only to return moments later with a brand-new contraption designed to thwart your progress. Whether he’s piloting a steam-powered mech or skulking in a giant robotic hand, you’ll need to adapt your strategy on the fly. These recurring duels strike a satisfying balance between cartoonish chaos and challenging gameplay loops, ensuring no two showdowns feel exactly alike.

Graphics

Graphically, The Itchy & Scratchy Game captures the spirit of the classic Simpsons shorts with vibrant, hand-drawn sprites and dynamic animations. Characters leap and tumble with exaggerated flourishes, making every hit look and feel like it was ripped straight from the television screen. Backgrounds are richly detailed, from neon signs flickering in an urban alley to blinking stars in the outer-space level, giving each stage a distinctive visual identity.

Special effects add an extra layer of cartoon violence that fans will appreciate. When Itchy swings his mallet, stars and motion lines trail behind the strike. Explosions send debris flying in every direction, and the drips of comedic “gore” are handled with a playful aesthetic that never crosses into the realm of real-world brutality. This commitment to faithful, over-the-top animation makes each squashed enemy and each dramatic contraption reveal all the more entertaining.

Performance remains steady throughout most of the adventure, with crisp frame rates that keep the action smooth even when multiple hazards and enemies fill the screen. Occasional slowdown may occur in levels packed with particles or environmental effects, but these moments are so fleeting they hardly detract from the overall visual spectacle. On modern hardware, color palettes pop and sprite details shine, making it a treat for both longtime Simpsons aficionados and platformer enthusiasts alike.

Story

True to the source material, The Itchy & Scratchy Game doesn’t burden players with a complex narrative. Instead, it delivers an endless cycle of violence and slapstick gags, echoing the show’s satirical take on cartoon mayhem. Each level feels like a new episode in which Itchy and Scratchy’s rivalry escalates, and the minimal story beats are woven directly into the combat and level design.

While there’s no dialogue-driven plot, the game stages convey mini-narratives through environmental storytelling. In the haunted mansion level, flickering candles and creaking floorboards set the mood before Scratchy crashes through a coffin-lid trap. In another stage, you traverse a medieval castle where suits of armor come to life, hinting at a cheeky nod to classic fairytales. These settings serve as playgrounds for the duo’s comedic violence, providing just enough context to keep things interesting.

Cultivate a sense of anticipation with each new encounter, as Scratchy’s contraptions become more elaborate and unexpected. Fans of The Simpsons will recognize the tongue-in-cheek humor and appreciate the game’s fidelity to the show’s brand of hyper-violent comedy. Although it won’t win awards for narrative depth, it excels at delivering the chaotic charm that makes Itchy & Scratchy a beloved part of Springfield lore.

Overall Experience

The Itchy & Scratchy Game offers a thoroughly enjoyable romp for anyone who relishes classic platformers and over-the-top cartoon violence. Its tight controls, creative level layouts, and recurring boss battles ensure that each session feels fresh and engaging. Whether you’re bashing through doors in a sci-fi lab or navigating deadly traps in a medieval fortress, the core loop never loses its punch.

This title shines brightest when approached as a quick, action-packed diversion rather than a sprawling epic. Its relatively short campaign—seven levels in total—means you can blast through the main objectives in just a few hours, but hidden areas and weapon variations invite multiple playthroughs. Speedrunners and completionists will find plenty of incentive to revisit and master each stage.

Ultimately, The Itchy & Scratchy Game stands out as a faithful extension of the Simpsons universe, translating the macabre humor and relentless rivalry of its titular characters into a fun, challenging platformer. If you’re in the market for a game that delivers quick bursts of comedic carnage and strong level design, this bruising cartoon brawler is well worth a place in your collection.

Retro Replay Score

5.5/10