The Simpsons Arcade Game Coming to Consoles, Free in February for PlayStation Plus Subscribers [Updated]
The Simpsons family are back from the arcades for a new generation of players.
No longer will you have to spend an endless amount of quarters to finish a classic beat-’em-up from the ’90s.
Update:
Konami confirmed Wednesday that the Xbox 360 version of The Simpsons Arcade Game will release Feb.3 for 800 Microsoft Points. All PS3 owners will be able to buy the game for $9.99 on Feb. 7.
The game is being ported by Backbone Entertainment, the same studio that handled the X-Men digital release.
Konami also revealed two additional game modes. “Quarters” mode retains the original set up of the 1991 release. “Free Play” mode gives players unlimited continues for a more casual experience.
Original Story:
Sony announced Tuesday that the retro The Simpsons Arcade Game will be available Feb. 7 as a free download for PlayStation Plus users on the PlayStation 3. The date of availability for those without PS Plus wasn’t revealed, but it will cost $9.99. An official release date hasn’t been confirmed for the Xbox Live Arcade, although an Achievement list for the Xbox 360 was leaked a few weeks ago.
The Simpsons Arcade Game is one of the most popular arcade releases of the ’90s and has been one of the most wanted titles to receive a digital release. The game’s visuals have been updated in high-definition. Simpsons Arcade on the PS3 will support up to four player local and online cooperative play. An all-new Survival mode has been added to the game, where players must make it to the end credits using only one life. This HD remake will also include the Japanese version of the original arcade release. There’s no details if any music, sound effects or stages will be different in this re-release.
The arcade version originally released in 1991. It was developed and published by Konami, and was the first video game based around “The Simpsons” television show. The four playable characters are Homer, Bart, Marge and Lisa. In the game’s story, Maggie is kidnapped by Smithers after an expensive collision on the streets of Springfield. The group has to go through several levels to rescue her, facing a comical group of enemies and bosses on their way to a family reunion.
The Simpsons Arcade was also released on Apple mobile devices in December 2009, but was published by Electronic Arts and featured an altered story and levels from the Konami release. Other arcade games like X-Men (1992), also developed and produced by Konami, have been re-released in high-definition in the past few years for the PS3 and Xbox 360.
PS Plus is available in three and 12 month subscription plans on the PlayStation Network Store, for $17.99 and $49.99 respectively. Every month Sony provides Plus members with a free game for download and price discounts on different selections from the PSN Store.
“The Simpsons” 500th episode is scheduled to air on Feb. 17. The series debuted way back on Dec. 17, 1989.
Check out this video below for gameplay footage of The Simpsons Arcade:
Image by PlayStation Blog
Quarter Disorder 
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