There hasn't been a mainline, console-focused Simpsons game released since 2007... just take that in for a minute! One of the biggest animation franchises in the world still hasn't received any video game love since then.
And please don't tell me to consider Simpsons Tapped Out, or even the recent feature in Fortnite, although great, they're not what we have been demanding for years. Give us a Hit & Run Remaster already, please!
To scratch your itch, you may be glad to know that an unreleased Simpsons video game by the name of "Slam Dunk" has officially been revealed from leaked pitch documents, thanks to Prototopia.
The game was pitched to Fox in 2001. It was designed for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and even the GAME BOY Advance with a focus on being a "fast-paced, frenetic basketball game featuring all of your favourite Simpsons characters". The legends at Protopia found early pitch documents sent to Fox showcasing what they wanted to bring to reality, even going as far as developing skills, picking characters, and different game modes.
Key features of Simpsons Slam Dunk were:
- Fast-paced and fun.
- Easy to pick up and play.
- Solo and multiplayer modes.
- Full of different characters, power-ups and special abilities.
- High emphasis on player reward by unlocking new features, skills and up to 6 new characters.
Diving into the pitch documents further, it reveals that developers wanted it to "appeal to the hardcore gamer who will recognise elements of such games as Speedball as well as the casual gamer who will have fun with the recognisable characters and different gameplay modes".
It is also a game that would likely appeal to older children. "The satirical comic touch, pace of gameplay and bright and cheerful graphics will make it an enjoyable and rewarding gameplay experience".
The most interesting document is the page regarding Stats and special abilities, making it a tactical game the further the player goes through the game.
There were also 5 different modes being pitched too, including: Classic Mode, Quick Play, Single Player Mode, Simpsons Jam and Bomb Ball.
Classic Mode
Classic Mode is the traditional game of Basketball, done Simpsons style. 4 Quarters of 2 Minutes each, try to score as many baskets as possible to beat your opponent! In this mode, the player has to choose a Team Leader (this will denote the name of the Team, Marge’s Marauders, Apu’s Assault Squad, etc.), and then they can choose two defensive players and two offensive players, and also two substitutes should any of those team members become injured. They must also choose a coach to lead the team and enhance its special abilities. They may choose from any of the available Simpsons characters that are available and unlocked. The player then enters a 4-round tournament.
The more points a player gains with their team, the more bonus characters will be unlocked and available for play in all other modes. This mode is available for 1 - 4 players.
Quick Play
This is for people who just want to get in there and play. It’s a one-shot game with a team selected by the computer. Play to win as usual! This is an excellent practice mode as it allows the player to see the strategies involved with using different teammates. This mode is available for 1 - 4 players.
Single Player
This is the most in-depth game mode. At the start, the player chooses their team of 5 players and takes them through a season of Simpsons Basketball. This mode will feature timed challenges (make 15 baskets in 20 seconds for example), Boss Fights and proper games, all of which will earn the team Duff Beer Tokens, which they can use to buy new stats and improve the overall performance of the team. The Duff Beer Tokens can also be used to buy new power-ups that can be used in all game modes and unlock other game modes themselves!
Simpsons Jam
This is a bonus mode unlocked via the Single Player Mode. In this mode, the player only has a team of two, against the computer's team of two. Again, a tournament structure is utilised, played over 4 games. Can the player take their carefully chosen two team members through to victory? This is the true test of Simpsons Slam Dunk playing skill and teamwork. All power-ups and specials can be used. This mode is available for 1 - 4 players.
Ball
Bomb Ball is a frantic and fun game. The ball has turned into a bomb and will explode in 15 seconds! If it explodes in your possession, you lose a point, but if you score a basket with the bomb ball, the timer resets to 15 seconds! This mode is available for 1 - 4 players.
It's a first look at what this game could have become, but unfortunately, it was quickly cancelled before even making it to the design phase, which is sad to hear, but at least we get these documents to dream about, right?
Big thanks to Prototopia for digging these documents out and revealing them to us all!
