Virtual Bart

"Being a Simpsons game is one of the few pluses"

Virtual Bart isn't a game in its own, its 6 minigames on one cart, which can be practiced seperately or be played in a story mode. I will review each game individually, but the graphics and sound are consistent throughout so I'll grade them first. The graphics aren't spectacular. But the Simpsons-like animation is cool, especially in the opening animation in story mode. I'd give the graphics a 6 out of 10. As for sound, its sub-par musically but the voices are alright. 4 out of 10. Okay, now I'll discuss the gameplay of each minigame in my order of preference, from worst to best.

1)Bart is a Pig: I hate this soooo much!! You are a pig in some kind of Krusty sponsored meat packing factory and you hafta free other pigs. Theres a tail-bounce to reach high platforms which is really frusturating when it doesn't work. Here's my final dis, the level never seems to end and I have never once completed this minigame. (1/10)

2)Bart is a Dinosaur: This one is also hated by me, although I oncew finished it. You're a raptor-like dino and hafta defeat other dinos and some Simpsons characters dressed as cave-people. Theres also lava and boulders to avoid in this platform minigame. (2/10)

3)Bart on a Motorcycle: This is one of the four I dont hate. Bart is on a motorcycle what seems to be post-apolyptic Springfield. You have to travel 10 miles to the city in a certain amount of time, and each mile marker is a checkpoint. Jimbo and I think Nelson are on other vehicles trying to stop you, you're defenses are kicking and a water balloon gun. There's also nitro boosts scattered about. Otto's school bus occasionally whirls buy and leaves hefty damage if he hits you. (5/10)

4)Bart in a waterslide: Bart's in a waterslide and has top decide which path to take at every intersection. If the wrong path is chosen you either run into Homer or fall onto an obstacle. Just before you make a decision about which way to go the correct color flashes at the top of the screen about 1 second before you turn. There are other people on the slide to hinder you. (6.5/10)

5)Baby Bart: Baby Bart goes swinging about Springfield in search of the ice cream man in this fun game. At first you swing from tree limb to tree limb. Then I believe you slide on the clothes line, but I'm not sure, all I remember is that is was fun. (8/10)

6)Flinging Tomatoes(and eggs): In this game Bart is hiding in the schoolyard throwing tomatoes at his class mates. If you hit all the students in the tomato level you get to advance to the egg level. And this time the students slant forward or backward. If you get everyone with an egg then you win the game, and boy is it fun (9/10)

Well there you have it, except for about 2 games this cart sucks. But rent it if you love the Simpsons, which you better!

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 05/05/01, Updated 05/05/01