AMN's Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don't waste your time. This is why we've split our reviews into four sections: What the Game's About, What's Hot, What's Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.

What the Game's About
The Simpsons Game closely follows the footsteps of its console brothers and sisters. You play as the Simpson family on what seems like another normal day in Springfield, however that is defined. That is until Bart stumbles upon a game manual for their lives. As you hop and bop through the cartoon town, you realize that these Simpsons are actually video game characters. The fourth wall breaks and you are lead on a satirical adventure about the state of the video game industry.

What's Hot
The Simpsons are always one to generate a laugh. Be it physical or satirical humor, there are chuckles-a-plenty. The voices for the TV show are used throughout the game and the cast of thousands make their cameos in different levels. Once the game breaks the fourth wall in the second level, you'll quickly realize that the laughs will not stop coming.

The Simpsons' license is put to good use. You get the feeling you are in their universe and the characters do not make compromises for being stuck inside a video game. Homer acts as you think he would in certain circumstance. Guest stars are also introduced into the game and once you see Will Wright deliver truly hilarious one-liners, you'll know this is Springfield, or a virtual representation of it, rather.

The graphics retain the bright, colorful look of the Simpsons universe and doesn't stray from the source material. The game could have been a TV episode – just to point out how true the material stays. Animations are remarkable and fluid as you punch, jump, run, and morph into different shapes and sizes. EA did a great job at shrinking the console version to fit on the DS.

What's Not
For as good as the Simpsons authenticity remains, there are some fundamental issues with the gameplay. Like the console version, there will be levels that require you to use two members of the family. However, you cannot switch between the characters on the fly. Some instances, this can be frustrating if you need to move an object to a precise location before the game gives you control of the next character. So, if you are a few centimeters off, you might be left wondering what went wrong.

Combat is something that should have been polished. While not a huge part of the game (you can jump over most enemies), when you do need to pack a wallop you're frustration will grow. The hit boxes for standard punches and kicks stick close to the enemy and you end up trading blows without artfully dodging the enemy punches and kicks. Just be glad there are convenient check points. The platforming is a fairly standard affair but forgivable because of the creative story and characters.

Final Word
Strip away the Simpsons license and the game would have been a forgettable affair. Because the creative powers with the Simpsons creators and EA, much of the average gameplay is forgiven because of the creative story. DS specific controls are nothing to write home about and the "Pet Homer" is an odd inclusion as it doesn't add anything to the game. Breaking the fourth wall was a brilliant idea for the Simpsons and the satirical look at gaming is something all gamers can appreciate, not just Simpsons fans.