More than two decades after The Simpsons: Hit & Run became one of the most beloved games based on the animated series, the cult classic may finally be making a comeback. During Simpsons panel at Disney’s D23 event, series creator Matt Groening was asked whether the 2003 game could return. His response was surprisingly direct: “I think the original game is coming back in some form.” Current showrunner Matt Selman immediately followed that statement with “or not,” however, leaving the status of any potential revival unclear.
Groening’s wording has nevertheless generated considerable excitement because Hit & Run has never received an official modern remaster, remake, or re-release. Originally developed by Radical Entertainment and released for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and PC, the game combined The Simpsons with an open-world structure heavily inspired by Grand Theft Auto. Its Springfield setting, original voice cast, and driving-focused gameplay have helped it maintain a devoted following more than 20 years after its release. The biggest question is what Groening meant by “coming back in some form.” Nothing announced at D23 confirms whether the project would be a remaster, remake, port, sequel, or an entirely new game based on Hit & Run. Selman’s immediate “or not” makes it particularly important not to treat Groening’s comment as an official announcement. The circumstances instead suggest that Groening may have revealed information before Disney or another company was ready to publicly discuss it.
There is some additional reason for fans to remain optimistic. Selman, who also worked on Hit & Run, previously said that fans should “never say never” when discussing the possibility of the game returning. He has also acknowledged that bringing the game back would involve complicated licensing and corporate issues. Those complications have historically been a major obstacle to a sequel or modern re-release. For now, however, The Simpsons: Hit & Run remains officially unreleased on modern platforms. Groening’s comment is therefore best treated as a strong tease rather than a confirmation. If something is actually being developed, fans may have to wait for Disney, the game’s rights holders, or a potential developer to make the formal announcement.
After 23 years, though, even the possibility of returning to Springfield behind the wheel of a Simpsons-themed car is enough to get fans talking.