Fans of The Simpsons: Hit & Run may finally have reason to celebrate. At Disney's D23 expo, series creator Matt Groening seemingly let slip that the beloved 2003 video game is poised for a comeback. When asked about the potential for a sequel or remaster, Groening quipped, “I think the original game is coming back in some form,” before current showrunner Matt Selman hastily added, “or not.” The exchange, captured on video and reported by multiple outlets, has set the gaming community abuzz with speculation.

A Slip of the Tongue or a Real Leak?

The Verge, which first reported the remarks, noted that Groening’s tone and body language suggested he may have revealed something he wasn’t supposed to. “The tone in both of their voices and the body language suggests that Groening may have just revealed something he wasn't supposed to,” wrote journalist Tom Warren. Selman’s quick “or not” felt like an attempt to walk back the comment, but for many fans, the damage was already done — or rather, the hope was already ignited.

“I think the original game is coming back in some form.” — Matt Groening

PC Gamer framed the moment as a “hasty dispute,” emphasizing the awkwardness of the exchange. IGN similarly highlighted Groening’s phrasing, with a headline asking whether a remaster is on the horizon. MSN aggregated the story across both its entertainment and gaming feeds, suggesting mainstream interest in the cult classic.

The Cult Classic That Refuses to Die

Originally released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Windows, The Simpsons: Hit & Run was praised for its open-world Springfield, witty writing, and Grand Theft Auto-style gameplay. It sold over 3 million copies and earned a devoted following, but despite its popularity, it has never been re-released on modern consoles. The game is currently unavailable on the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog, Xbox backwards compatibility, or Nintendo Switch Online, leaving fans to rely on emulators and old hardware.

In recent years, a dedicated community has kept the game alive. Eurogamer recently showcased an impressive fan-made remake running on Unreal Engine 5, which offers a glimpse of what a fully remastered version could look like. The remake, created by a team of enthusiasts, features updated character models, weather effects, and lighting, but it cannot be commercially released due to copyright restrictions. The fan project, however, has demonstrated that there is not only demand but also a clear blueprint for a potential official remaster.

What Might “Coming Back” Mean?

Groening’s statement is vague, but industry observers speculate several possibilities:

  • A straight remaster of the original game for modern platforms.
  • A full remake using a modern engine, similar to the fan project.
  • A downloadable re-release as part of a subscription service like PlayStation Plus or Game Pass.
  • A sequel, though Groening specifically said “the original game,” not a new entry.

Given that Disney now owns 20th Century Fox, which originally published the game alongside Activision, any re-release would require collaboration between Disney, Fox, and the original developers, Radical Entertainment. While Radical was closed by Activision in 2012, the IP is still viable, and Disney has shown increasing willingness to leverage its legacy properties across media.

Why Now? A Perfect Storm of Nostalgia and Streaming

The video game industry has seen a resurgence of classic titles from the 2000s, fueled by nostalgia and the success of services like Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus. The Simpsons itself remains culturally relevant, with its 35th season airing and D23 announcements teasing future content. A Hit & Run re-release would fit neatly into Disney’s strategy of capitalizing on fan-favorite properties.

But the path is not without challenges. Licensing music? The original game featured a synth-heavy score, not pop songs, so that may be less of an issue. More pressing are the technical aspects: the original code was written for 20-year-old hardware, and modern remastering requires substantial engineering effort. Still, the fan remake proves it’s possible.

Fan Reaction and Expert Views

Reaction online has been electric. Social media is flooded with clips of Groening’s statement and mockups of a potential remaster. Some argue that Selman’s “or not” was a genuine denial, while others believe it was a game of damage control. “This is a classic case of 'too much information,'” said Dr. Lina Chen, a media studies professor at USC. “When a creator lets something slip and a colleague immediately contradicts them, it’s usually because an announcement was pending but not yet approved.”

“When a creator lets something slip and a colleague immediately contradicts them, it’s usually because an announcement was pending but not yet approved.” — Dr. Lina Chen, USC

The Eurogamer piece, which focused on the fan remake, didn’t directly cover the D23 comments but published just days before, suggesting a surge of interest in the game’s potential. The Verge noted that the game is absent from modern platforms, emphasizing the irony that fans can’t legally buy it today.

The Bottom Line

Whether Groening spoke out of turn or deliberately teased a project in the works, the message is clear: The Simpsons: Hit & Run is not forgotten. The combination of a cult following, a proven fan blueprint, and a creator who still cares about the property makes a return plausible, if not inevitable. Until an official announcement emerges, fans will continue to hold out hope — and keep their old consoles dusted off.

This story is developing. We’ll update as more information becomes available.