Key takeaways
- Matt Groening hinted at Disney's D23 event that The Simpsons: Hit and Run may return in some form, though showrunner Matt Selman immediately added ambiguous caveats suggesting either an accidental reveal or coordinated tease.
- The 2003 cult classic sandbox game developed by Radical Entertainment has maintained a devoted fanbase despite lacking an official remaster or modern port for nearly two decades.
- A revival would coincide with Grand Theft Auto 6's fall 2026 release, potentially benefiting from renewed cultural interest in open-world driving games alongside other licensed property revivals like Godzilla.
- Current showrunner Selman's earlier statement of "never say never" in March 2026 paired with Groening's D23 comments suggests internal development discussions about the game's return have progressed beyond idle speculation.
Matt Groening’s cryptic remark at Disney’s D23 event has reignited speculation around one of gaming’s most beloved cult classics. When asked about The Simpsons: Hit and Run making a comeback, the show’s creator said, “I think the original game is coming back in some form.” Immediately, current Simpsons showrunner Matt Selman interjected with an “or not” — a deflection that suggests either an accidental spoiler or a carefully orchestrated tease.
The 2003 sandbox driving game, developed by Radical Entertainment, became a phenomenon despite releasing during an era saturated with Grand Theft Auto clones. Unlike most licensed titles that faded from memory, Hit and Run maintained a passionate fanbase two decades later, making this moment at D23 significant for those tracking the revival of dormant gaming properties.
The Cult Status That Never Died
The Simpsons: Hit and Run arrived in 2003 as an unexpected success. Built on the GTA3 formula but filtered through the lens of Springfield, the game let players inhabit Homer and other familiar characters while completing missions and exploring a fully realized version of the cartoon’s iconic town. The concept seemed like it could be another throwaway licensed product, yet it achieved something few games of that type managed: genuine longevity.
Enduring Appeal Despite Neglect
Two decades later, the game remains playable and surprisingly accessible on modern PCs in 2026, which is remarkable for a title that never received an official port or remaster. Its absence from the modern gaming landscape — no Switch port, no PS5 version, no Steam release through official channels — only amplified its mystique. The gap between the game’s cult success and its complete abandonment by rights holders created a vacuum that fans never stopped talking about.
Selman’s Personal Connection
Selman’s involvement adds another layer to this conversation. As a writer on the original 2003 game, he brings authentic perspective to the property. During an interview with People in March 2026, timed near the show’s 800th episode milestone, Selman acknowledged the game’s peculiar legacy. “Hit & Run is so interesting,” he reflected. “I’m a thousand years old, and when I was in my mid to late 20s, I helped write Hit & Run. I had no idea it would become a cult game, a cult success. Of all the games, the thousands of Simpsons games… that one…” His response about a potential revival was measured: “never say never.”
A Broader Pattern of Licensed Game Revivals
Industry Trend Toward Dormant Properties
The timing of Hit and Run’s renewed attention coincides with a noticeable industry trend. Licensed properties from gaming’s early aughts are experiencing renewed interest from publishers willing to invest in revisiting older properties. Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee, another critically respected but commercially overlooked cult favorite, is receiving a modern port scheduled for fall 2026. Similar efforts across the industry suggest that dormant licensed games represent an underexploited asset class.
This pattern reflects changing market conditions. Remasters and ports now offer a lower-risk way to capitalize on existing IP nostalgia while testing audience appetite for new entries. A modernized version of Hit and Run would serve as a logical bridge between the original and a potential new sequel, much the way ports have paved the way for revivals of dormant franchises in other genres.
The Simpsons’ Contemporary Gaming Presence
The Simpsons’ recent activity in gaming supports this trajectory. The franchise participated in a major Fortnite crossover event, signaling both Disney’s willingness to leverage the property in contemporary gaming spaces and the brand’s continued relevance among gaming audiences. A Hit and Run revival would fit naturally into a broader strategy of Simpsons content diversification.
Strategic Timing and Market Positioning
The coincidence of this announcement with Grand Theft Auto 6’s fall 2026 release window deserves consideration. GTA6 will dominate open-world gaming discourse for months, yet it also reignites cultural conversation around sandbox driving games more broadly. A Hit and Run release — whether a remaster or a new entry — would benefit from that cultural moment, attracting both players nostalgic for the original and newcomers curious about the franchise.
Such timing could minimize direct competition while capitalizing on increased interest in open-world design and mission-based gameplay. Players finishing GTA6 may seek alternatives, and a Simpsons-themed sandbox would offer a distinctly different tonal experience from Rockstar’s property.
The fact that Selman was willing to engage seriously with the question, rather than deflecting entirely, suggests internal conversations about Hit and Run have reached some level of concrete development. Whether Groening’s comment represents an accidental leak or a coordinated campaign to gauge fan interest remains unclear, but the deliberate correction from Selman indicates someone is actively managing the narrative.
Ambiguity and What Comes Next
The D23 exchange, whether intentionally vague or accidentally revealing, accomplished what neither a confirmed announcement nor complete denial could have: it placed Hit and Run back at the center of gaming conversation. The “or not” from Selman prevented false hope while the initial statement from Groening suggested something genuine is being developed.
Fans spent two decades discovering the game was both forgotten and impossible to forget. Now, with leadership openly discussing its return, the property transitions from cult artifact to legitimate revival candidate. Whether a new version arrives within months or years remains unclear, but the conversation has officially shifted from speculation to anticipation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Matt Groening say about The Simpsons: Hit and Run returning?
At Disney's D23 event, Groening stated "I think the original game is coming back in some form." However, showrunner Matt Selman immediately interjected "or not," creating ambiguity about whether the statement was an accidental spoiler or a coordinated tease.
Who developed the original game and when was it released?
Radical Entertainment developed The Simpsons: Hit and Run, which released in 2003. The game was built on the Grand Theft Auto 3 formula adapted for the Simpsons universe. Current showrunner Matt Selman was a writer on the original game.
Why is Hit and Run's return being considered now?
Hit and Run's revival fits a broader industry trend of dormant licensed games receiving modern revivals, with competitors like Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee also getting ports in 2026. The timing aligns with Grand Theft Auto 6's fall 2026 release, capitalizing on renewed interest in sandbox driving games.
