Summary
- Release Year: 1992
- Genres: Platform, Shooter, Sport
- Platforms: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Sculptured Software
- Publishers: Acclaim, Flying Edge, Playtronic, Tec Toy
The Simpsons: Bart’s Nightmare: A Dreamy Adventure Through Springfield’s Subconscious
Released in 1992 for the NES, The Simpsons: Bart’s Nightmare is a side-scrolling platformer that takes players on a wild and wacky journey through the dreams of Bart Simpson. The game was developed by Konami and published by Acclaim Entertainment, and it quickly became a favorite among fans of the popular animated sitcom.
Gameplay
Bart’s Nightmare is a classic 2D platformer, similar to games like Super Mario Bros. and Mega Man. Players control Bart as he runs, jumps, and shoots his way through a variety of dream worlds, including:
- Itchy & Scratchy Land: Bart finds himself trapped in an episode of his favorite cartoon show, Itchy & Scratchy. He must avoid being squished by anvils, eaten by lions, and blown up by dynamite.
- The Krustylu Studios: Bart dreams that he is a contestant on Krusty the Clown’s popular TV show. He must navigate through a gauntlet of obstacles, including slippery floors, falling pies, and angry clowns.
- The Springfield Elementary School: Bart’s nightmare takes him back to school, where he must avoid detention by sneaking past Principal Skinner and Mrs. Krabappel.
- The Springfield Nuclear Power Plant: Bart dreams that he is working at his father’s nuclear power plant. He must avoid radioactive waste, malfunctioning robots, and a giant mutant spider.
Each dream world is filled with unique enemies and hazards, and Bart must use his wits and agility to overcome them. He can collect power-ups to help him on his journey, such as invincibility stars, extra lives, and homing missiles.
Story
The story of Bart’s Nightmare is simple but effective. Bart is determined to stay up late and write a paper for class tomorrow. However, very quickly, he falls asleep. Nightmare after nightmare haunt his subconscious, and it is up to the player to get over each one, so that Bart will eventually wake up.
Along the way, Bart encounters a cast of familiar characters from The Simpsons, including Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie, and Grandpa Simpson. Each character provides Bart with advice and encouragement, helping him to face his fears and overcome his nightmares.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Bart’s Nightmare are colorful and detailed, capturing the look and feel of the popular animated series. The character sprites are large and expressive, and the backgrounds are full of vibrant colors and intricate details.
The sound in the game is also top-notch. The music is catchy and upbeat, and the sound effects are perfectly timed and executed. The voice acting is also excellent, with all of the main characters sounding just like they do on the TV show.
Overall
The Simpsons: Bart’s Nightmare is a fun and challenging platformer that is sure to please fans of the animated series and classic 2D platformers alike. With its charming graphics, catchy music, and challenging gameplay, Bart’s Nightmare is a game that will keep you entertained for hours on end.
Legacy
Bart’s Nightmare was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, colorful graphics, and faithful adaptation of the popular animated series. Bart’s Nightmare is considered to be one of the best NES games of all time, and it is still enjoyed by fans today.
The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the Game Boy, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360. It is also available on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
