The Simpsons (Arcade)

The Simpsons
Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Platform: Arcade (custom) Released in JP: 1991 Released in US: March 4, 1991 Released in EU: March 4, 1991 This game has unused graphics. This game has unused items. This game has unused music. This game has regional differences.

While buying some jewels for Mr. Burns, Smithers bumps into the Simpson family...causing one of the diamonds to fly into Maggie's mouth! Rather than just taking the jewel out of her mouth, Smithers and his bone-stupid henchmen (that he's always had but you never see on the show) kidnap Maggie! It's up to The Simpsons to get her back.

To do: There are some unused character graphics, please add them.

Unused Graphics

Unused Characters

Their are a couple of unused characters in this game.

It seems Principal Skinner was supposed to hand the player a broom sometime in the game. Maybe for a school stage?

The stage 3 bosses have multiple palettes that are the same as the regular enemies. This could reveal that they were meant to be more common enemies since they watch the Simpsons in the first two levels. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLb_XNSfs-k&ab_channel=IlluminatiDad

There is also an unused Krusty enemy without his mask.

Filler Tiles

These tiles are used as filler for the player graphics.

These are the filler tiles used for the first half of the object graphics.

This 2x2 filler picture of Krusty is used in the latter half of the object graphics. The correct palette is unknown and may not exist in the ROM anymore.

Inanimate Carbon Rod

This is found with the rest of the thrown item graphics, but it's not found anywhere in the game.

Text

This should show up when picking up a health item, but nope.

An early version of Smithers' boss dialogue. This uses a unique dialogue balloon and is in all caps, unlike the final version.

An unused dialogue string. Definitely meant for level 3.

Weapon Icons

These appear to be status icons for a bomb, a bottle, a can of soda and a slingshot. They were located in the game's graphics, near the character portraits.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Unused Music

This song is hidden in the game data. It isn't available in the game's built-in sound test, but you can listen to it by loading the game romset in M1 and playing sound code 0xA9. There is speculation that this was an unused boss theme for Smithers, which would be used before the final fight against Mr. Burns. Plus, every time the song loops, it starts to play a little bit faster than before.

(Source: Original TCRF research)

Version Differences

The Japanese version is markedly different than other versions. Most of the changes are for game balance issues. The PlayStation Network rerelease of the game gives you the option to play the Japanese version, so it features all of these differences.

Scoring

The Japanese version adds two trailing zeroes to the score.

World
Japanese

The Score Ranking screen was adjusted for the extra zeroes. The character heads were moved from the score to the rank number.

These zeroes were added to accommodate the Japanese version's more dynamic scoring system. In the World version, every enemy defeated is worth just 1 point. In the Japanese version, certain enemies are worth more, as are bosses:

Enemy	Points	Enemy	Points	Boss	Points
Henchman	100	Umbrella Henchman	300	Werner Von Brawn	2,000
Hat-Throwing Henchman	200	Bart Imp	500	Krusty Balloon	2,000
Fake Bongo	300	Bigfoot	500	Bouncer Brother	1,000
Fat Henchman	300	Donut	500	Drunk	3,000
Female Zombie	300	Logger	500	Bear	3,000
Fireman	300	Radiation Suit	500	Ball Lord	5,000
Krusty Impersonator	300	Saxophone	500	Kabuki Master	5,000
Marge Shrub	300	Zombie	500	Smithers	10,000
Ninja	300	Robot	1,000	Mr. Burns	20,000

Bonuses

The Japanese version gives players a vitality bonus at the end of each level.

The two bonus games have time bonuses in the Japanese version. These aren't present in the World version.

Game Mechanics

It's possible to extend health past 100% in the Japanese version. Picking up food while at full health gives the player bonus health (shown in yellow). It's possible to extend it even further (200%+), in which case the bonus will be in green.

In the World version, weapons can't be used in the air, a restriction not present in the Japanese version.

Other changes:

• The enemies in this version seem a bit more stupid compared to the World version.
• In the Japanese version, you must press the attack button in front of a food item to collect it.
• The slingshot was buffed significantly. In the World version it's about as strong as a normal attack. In the Japanese version, it will kill anything in one hit!

Level Changes

Level 1

An atomic bomb was added in front of the arcade. These nukes only appear in the Japanese version. When thrown, they'll kill any nearby enemy and possibly damage the player if they're within range.

Other Changes:

• The Hamburger at the end of the stage was changed to a Hot Dog.

Level 2

• The Hot Dog at the end of the stage was changed to a Hamburger.

Level 3

A hamburger was added behind this tree.	Another nuke, this one in front of the moon.
A bomb was added at the end of the cemetery.	Two bombs were added to the boss area.

Level 4

A bomb was added to the start of the level.	This mop only appears in the Japanese game.	A nuke was placed near the arcade cabinets.

Level 5

An extra rock was added at the start of the level.	Another boulder was added before the waterfalls. The larger boulder is unique to the Japanese game.	Lifting the bigger boulder up reveals a pile of fruit!

Level 6

A bomb was added to the start of the area. See a pattern yet?

Level 7

A nuke and two food items were added here.

Other Changes:

• The Corn pickup was changed to a Hamburger.

Level 8

A Hot Dog and Turkey are hidden in the fixtures by Mr. Burns' portrait in the Japanese version.	When Smithers is defeated in the Japanese game, an assortment of fruit flies out of his body. Make of that what you will.

Ending

More characters were added to the ending (Principal Skinner, Milhouse, Nelson, Sherri and Terri, Santa's Little Helper, and Snowball II)

(Source: Original TCRF research)