The Simpsons Road Rage

Infobox VG
title = The Simpsons Road Rage


developer = Radical Entertainment (GC, PS2, Xbox)
Altron (GBA)
publisher = Electronic Arts (GC, PS2, Xbox)
THQ (GBA)
designer =
engine =
released = PS2 version
flagicon|USA November 24, 2001
flagicon|Europe November 30, 2001
Xbox version
flagicon|US December 1, 2001
flagicon|Europe March 22, 2002
GameCube version
flagicon|US December 17, 2001
flagicon|Europe May 17, 2002
GBA version
flagicon|US June 30, 2003
flagicon|Europe June 27, 2003 flagicon|Japan July 15, 2003
genre = Racing game
modes = Single-player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: T
ESRB: E (GBA) PEGI: 3+
OFLC: G
platforms = PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance
media =
requirements =
input =

"The Simpsons Road Rage" is a 2001 video game based on the animated television series "The Simpsons", and it is part of a series of games based on the show. "The Simpsons Road Rage" stars Bart, Homer, Lisa, and Marge, as well as Mr. Burns and over 25 other characters from the show. The game has often been criticized for having too many similarities to Sega's "Crazy Taxi" and to London Taxi.

Story

Mr. Burns has bought all transport systems in the city and has begun to overcharge everyone for the transportation services. The citizens of the city (managed by the game player) must earn money by driving taxis around town in order to regain control of the transport systems. The game contains 17 different drivable/collectible vehicles, 6 levels (5 are unlockable), and 10 different missions. In order to collect the vehicles and unlock levels, players must earn one hundred thousand dollars for each car or level they want to get. In order to complete missions, players must do certain things (such as knocking down 12 baseball team mascots in 45 seconds or running into Gils within a time limit).

To earn money, players must drive around a taxi for a given amount of time, picking up passengers and taking them to their destinations. Any of the vehicles that the player has collected can be used as taxis. Players have to avoid certain hurdles, such as other vehicles that spin out of control, rocks, flying street objects, Mr. Burns's car, Burns transit buses, and houses on difficult curves.

Game Modes

Playable characters

*Smithers can be only accessed with a cheat code

Game Locations

The game features 6 locations familiar to Simpsons fans which have varying levels of difficulty for completing tasks.

*Evergreen Terrace: The home area of the Simpson family and includes Springfield Elementary School, Springfield Community Church, Kwik-E Mart and Krusty Burger.

*Entertainment District

*Springfield Dam

*Nuclear Power Plant

*Downtown

*Springfield Mountains

"Sega of America, Inc. v. Fox Interactive, et al."

The game was so similar to "Crazy Taxi" that, in 2003, Sega filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Fox Interactive, Electronic Arts, and Radical Entertainment. [cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/445/445010p1.html | title = SEGA Sues Fox and EA | publisher = IGN | first = David | last = Adams | date = 2003-12-05 | accessdate = 2007-08-14 ] The case, "Sega of America, Inc. v. Fox Interactive, et al.", was settled in private for an unknown amount. [cite web | url = http://www.carrferrell.com/attorneys_yorio.html | title = Profile of Robert J. Yorio | publisher = Carr & Ferrell LLC | accessdate = 2007-08-14]

Reception

The game received generally moderate reviews. IGN gave "Road Rage" a 5.1 saying it was "a very average videogame," but felt it was "unrewarding." [ [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/166/166782p1.html IGN: The Simpsons Road Rage Review ] ]

Gamespot gives the GameCube version 6.2 citing "While it's better than the poor GameCube port of the original Crazy Taxi, ultimately, the only saving grace Road Rage has is that it's a Simpsons game."

References

External links

* [http://www.ea.com/official/simpsons_roadrage/home.jsp "The Simpsons: Road Rage" official website.]
*
* [http://members.fortunecity.com/biollante/frink/ A fan site for Road Rage]