The Simpsons Arcade Game by Konami has been one of the most fan requested games to be added to console download services since their inception. With the television series' 500th episode airing this Sunday, the stars have aligned and no one has to go to Chuck E. Cheese's anymore to play this classic. While it is the same exact game from 20 years ago we all know and love, IT IS the exact same game from 20 years ago, so having it in our living rooms brings out a few traits that weren't apparent when we were in an arcade.

The Simpsons Arcade is one of Konami's popular licensed Beat 'em up games from the early 1990s. Maggie has been captured and taken away by Mr.Smithers, and the family must travel all over to get her back. The game uses a simple two button layout; one button is for jumping and the other for attacking. Various combos of button presses give different attacks. The game also allows players to combine forces and team up room-clearing attacks. The gameplay is pretty basic, and playing it at home makes that apparent. Enemies often try to sneak and hit the player from behind, and bosses have easy to learn patterns. Also, there aren't many defense options, but this version of the game makes it simple to continue playing on until the end.

New to this Simpsons Arcade version is the ability to play online with up to three other people (co-op), some unlockables, and the ability to play the easier Japanese version. Difficulty can also be increased gradually through options that limit the amount of credits available and enemies onscreen. For those who think the game is too easy, there is a survival mode available that gives one life and one credit with which to complete the entire game.

Graphics are bright and colorful; everything presented in The Simpsons Arcade Game looks as if it were plucked directly from the series. Many secondary characters appear as helpers to give the player items, and a character from Matt Groening's Life in hell even makes an appearance. The levels in the game are loosely based on places in the show and include Krustyland, Moe's Tavern, and even an original level set entirely in a dream. There are also plenty of references to early episodes in the series, and playing serves to show how far the series has come. All of the playable characters are voiced by their respective actors from the network series.

Playing The Simpsons Arcade Game, it's not hard to see why the series has lasted so long, if a game licensed in the show's infancy captured the world's likeness and translated it to another medium perfectly. The game goes above and beyond to bring a smile to the player's face, despite its gameplay being strictly from an era long past.

GameDynamo's Score for The Simpsons Arcade Game (X360)

	Score	Description
Graphics	83	For 1991, and considering it was matching the animation for the first few seasons of the Simpsons, pretty good. Looks good in either filter, smooth or sharp, unlike other retro ports.
Sound	77	It's loud, sounding similar to something in an arcade. It has a few themes from the Simpsons, and all of the actors reprise their respective characters.
Gameplay	74	Simple, easy to tell that it was a quarter-muncher back in the day, although the difficulty can be overcome with skill, unlike other titles from the era.
Play Value	80	As good as it gets for an arcade port. Online play, unlockables, good achievements, and plenty of options.
Final Score	76	Easily the best of the Konami beat 'em ups on console download services. Easy to get into, lots to do, and challenge is available for those who need it.

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