• Simpsons Hit And Run Wiki

Nov 13, 2003  The game supports six hardcoded resolutions out of the box. Lucas' Simpsons Hit & Run Mod Launcher extends this support to any resolution reported by your graphics card or manually specified in the game's configuration file. The Simpsons: Hit & Run is an award-winning video game based on the TV hit-show The Simpsons. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Microsoft Windows in North America on September 16, 2003, in Europe on October 31, 2003, and in Japan on December 25, 2003.

If The Simpsons and Grand Theft Auto had a love child, the result would most likely be The Simpsons: Hit & Run. Surprisingly, the end result is a pretty solid clone and what many consider to be the best Simpsons game. Not only that, but there's a lot of interesting unused content lurking inside, and we're not kidding when we say a lot.

I wish I had a dog with a saddle.

• 3Unused Areas
• 7E3 Levels and Missions
• 10Version Differences

Sub-Pages

Unused Levels

Inside the PC version's 'scriptsmissions' directory are two empty folders labeled level08 and level09, suggesting that the game had planned to have a total of nine levels instead of seven, but the eighth and ninth level didn't make the cut for unknown reasons. It might have been a placeholder.

The game makes another reference to the eighth cut level in 'artmissions', where a folder labeled level08 can be found. However, unlike the script folder, there are two files inside this folder, though these only seem to contain vehicle position data for an unfinished mission. It's worth noting, that there's 8 locators for vehicles, though the game can handle only four vehicles per stage. Unlike level08, there is no art folder for level09.
m1.p3d

chkpts.p3d

Unused Areas

Inside Burns' Mansion in Level 1

It is possible to get into the front garden and the interior of Mr. Burns' mansion in Level 1, but it requires skill. First, have the jump code activated and with a car big enough to fit through the secret 'entrance' in the Nuclear Power Plant. When you have got in and made it to the doors, they will be closed. You can still get in by using the jump code to get in through the walls. The mansion has nearly the exact same appearance as it does in Level 4, except the gag from Level 4 is missing. In addition, the furniture is missing.

Once you are in, it is nearly impossible to get out: you have to jump the car high enough to get out of the mansion from the garden. If you attempt to get out of the mansion through the front yard, you will respawn in the Nuclear Power Plant.

Unused Bonus Track

Present in the game's files is an oval-shaped Springfield 500 track that takes place in a stadium. Being in a mostly complete state, it may have been an early concept or just cut because it was probably considered too short. The track itself resembles the racing track from the episode 'Alone Again, Natura-Diddily'. Although there are various ways to access it, the fastest and easiest way is to replace l1i00.p3d in the art folder with b00.p3d.

Drive to the school in Level 1, everything but some parts of the scenery and the bonus track in the distance will be invisible. Now you can drive to the bonus track. It is very easy to crash it this way, but again, this is the easiest way to access the track.

testlevelb02l

An unused monochrome test model for a bonus track map, found in the art folder. It is most likely left in the game as a placeholder for a test map. It does not appear to be based on any of the seven present bonus tracks, as it features several holes, ramps, and bumps that would make it appropriate for an off-road track.

testlevelb02st

A similarly titled test model to testlevelb02l also found in the art folder, albeit with a more flat terrain, and having a stop sign wall texture, presumably a placeholder for actual racing walls. Much like testlevelb02l, it is not based on any present bonus track, and is most likely a placeholder.

Past the Bridge in Level 7

In Level 7, the 939 area of Evergreen Terrace is fenced off from both sides of the map (from the Power Plant, a door barricade is in place, and from the school, the bridge is broken and covered by spotlights and military installation), but with the cheat codes that allow cars to jump by honking the horn and gain invincibility, the player can get past the school bridge barrier and go to the bridge. Any car will work, but the RC Car is recommended, as it is the easiest to fit. The bridge has weird collision - The walls or watchtower are not solid. The area can also be accessed by pressing the vehicle reset key while inside of a vehicle and cornered on the right side of the blockage (looking at it from the Springfield Elementary School playground).

After the player manages to get past the bridge, one can go to the other side, however, the area is incomplete and isn't solid. The houses look a bit different, as they are missing their walls and gates, and there are two floating 'Springfield Gasoline' signs where the gas station is supposed to be. The area code sign is also missing, and the ground below the watchtower has been submerged. However, if you manage to get to the roof of the non-solid house that replaced the ramp going beyond and respawning and going back, the jump camera enables. Interestingly, there are spawn points from the other side of the blockades along with solid ground which can be driven on, making it easier for the player to get to the other side of the bridge. This shows that this area could be accessed legitimately at one point. Close to the location where Burns' manor would be are triggers for audio files called 'piggy_02' and 'ghost_kids_10', the first audio file is a bunch of pigs screaming, which doesn't quite fit the theme of Burns' mansion, the latter one is a 'ghost' Jimbo saying 'You better run!'. Due to a wrong filepath in the level7.spt script, the game fails to load the audio files and crashes (The files are located in a filepath 'sound/soundfx/positional', but the Burns' Mansion trigger reads the path as 'sound/soundfx/collect_soundfx', needless to say, there are no ghost_kids_10 or piggy_02 inside that folder)

In 2017, a former Radical Entertainment designer confirmed on the Donut Team forum that the area was cut to make workload more manageable for artists working on the level.

Inside the Nuclear Plant in Level 7

Just like the bridge, the Nuclear Plant in Level 7 is blocked off, but is possible to get past with the same cheats. This time, any car can work always. However, after that, the area is just nothing. The mini-map continues like it did in Level 1 and 4, but after where the hall is supposed to open up, the mini-map shows the end, but the sound that is heard in the plant in Levels 1 and 4 plays. However, the fun doesn't stop there! If one goes further, the sound that plays in the room where nuclear waste from the pipes and into the nuclear lake plays, and if one goes even further, they will eventually hear the unused Level 7 version of the Stonecutters' Tunnel theme.

Teleport Menu

An unused teleport menu that was probably used to test the game can be accessed in the Windows version by changing byte [[[6C894C]+2c]+CC]+2DC4 to 1 (per level load) and pressing F2 at the Phone Booth menu. It replaces the normally used cheat code 'all vehicles' Phone Booth sub-menu, so access to that is also required. The menu allows one to warp between various level locations that are preset via the level's 'level.mfk' file (scriptsmissionslevel0X). There are some related bugs, however: loop scrolling to the left in the menu doesn't work, the camera can be buggy when teleporting and triggers to change ambient audio, ambient light and pedestrian groups are skipped if this is used.

Unused Gags

In the files, by using text editing programs, the player can find three unused gags all meant for Evergreen Terrace (Levels 1, 4 and 7) and one for the Springfield Squidport (levels 3 and 6). These gags do not have a set place for where they appear, or have been commented out, making them unused. Setting a place for them in the game will allow them to spawn.

• There was originally supposed to be a red and blue merry-go-round that was intended for both the playground near the Springfield Elementary School and in Evergreen Terrace, but the gag was cut for unknown reasons. When the player clicks on the gag, it would spin around. The Gag can be seen in the HUD Icon for the Springfield Elementary School playground.
• In Levels 1 and 4, near the Tomacco field, there was supposed to be a flock of crows that flew away if the player got near them. The animation is glitched and incomplete, with the crows left hovering in the air afterwards, which is possibly why it got cut. A developer comment is present in the code for this Gag, which states that it was commented out due to memory issues.
• In the Android's Dungeon, there was supposed to be a doll that blew up. It would produce an inflating and deflating sound when activated. The model for the Gag, gag_doll.p3d still exists in the game files, but the model itself doesn't appear when the Gag is re-activated, possibly due to a bug. The sounds are still produced.
• There was supposed to be a bat gag for Level 7 which would've functioned like Level 1's crow gag.
• At the Planet Hype, there was supposed to be a gag for Level 3 where Moleman was stuck in his pink car. The gag can be seen on a picture in the scrapbook for Level 3. The model of Moleman for this gag still exists in the final game under the filename 'gag_mole.p3d'. Said model is rather large. Strangely, the string of code that controls what sound the Gag produces must be left commented out in order to get this Gag to re-appear, otherwise it throws an error, which prevents this Gag, along with most of the other Gags in the level, from loading if it is left in.
• Inside of the Kwik-E-Mart Interior in Levels 1, 4, and 7, there is an unused Gag where Nelson punches Milhouse. It is a slightly edited version of a used Gag in the same area, the differences being that in the unused variant, the animation is set to loop and that Milhouse and Nelson stand in different positions.

Misplaced Objects

By using cheats or mods to go out-of-bounds in the level maps, the player can see some unused objects that are either erroneously misplaced or some leftovers that seemed to be from earlier in development.

In Level 1, there are two portraits that appear to be Simpson-styled versions of the painting 'American Gothic'. These were most likely intended for an earlier revision of the Stonecutter's Tunnel.

In Level 1, Level 4, and Level 7, there is a washing machine found. This is most likely a mis-spawn, as the washing machines are actually meant to appear outside Muntz's House. Strangely, there is a cow's head placed next to the washing machine in Level 1.

E3 Levels and Missions

The game has a bunch of unused level scripts that are intended for an E3 demo.

E3 Rewards

Inside the 'missions' folder, there is an E3 version of the rewards.mfk file, named e3rewards.mfk. The rewards.mfk file is what tells the game how the player unlocks certain vehicles/clothes. Replacing it with the final game's file crashes the game, but by simply viewing the file in a text editor we can see quite a number of differences:

• Both the Kremlin and Moe's Sedan are for sale from Gil in Level 1, instead of the Duff Truck and the Surveillance Van
• Every vehicle for sale in Level 1 is priced at 40 coins, Level 2 & 7's are 25 coins and Level 3, 4, 5 & 6's are 10 coins.
• Homer's 'Scuzzy' outfit is for sale in Level 1
• Bart's default car in level 2 is the Lil Bandit
• Mr.Plow is now the reward for beating all of the street races in Level 2, and Homer now sells the Family Sedan
• Otto's School Bus, Malibu Stacy Car, Duff Truck and Book Burning Mobile are all sold by Gil in Level 2
• Bart's 'Bartman' outfit is for sale in Level 2
• In Level 3, the Book Burning Mobile is the Street Race prize, and also sold by Gil
• In Level 4, The Police Car is for sale instead of the Clown Car. Interestingly, the Police Car is actually still in the final rewards.mfk file, just commented out using '//'
• The Donut Truck and Book Burning Mobile are both for sale in Levels 4, 5 & 6.
• Bart's 'Bartman' outfit is still for sale in Level 6, despite being in Level 2 as well.
• The Hovercar is the default car for Level 7, while the 70's Sports Car is the Street Race reward.
• Homer's 'Muumuu' outfit replaces the 'Scuzzy' outfit and the 'Chosen One' outfit replaces the 'Evil' outfit.
• The Clown Car is being sold by one of the Zombies, and the Kremlin and Canyonero are being sold by Gil

E3 Level.mfk

Within the Level 2 folder there is an E3 variation of the level.mfk file. It is almost identical to the final game, with a few minor changes:

• It only loads two missions, the E3 version of Better than Beef, and Detention Deficit Disorder.
• Homer's electrocuted model is loaded, presumably by mistake.
• The Lil Bandit is loaded as the default vehicle, however both the Red Ferrini and Honor Roller have scripts to be loaded instead, both being commented out using '//'

E3 Leveli.mfk

Also within the Level 2 folder, there is an E3 variation of the leveli.mfk file. Again, there isn't much different from the final game:

• The Lil Bandit is loaded as the default vehicle
• Bonus Mission and Street Race Npcs have no dialog
• Various pedestrians in certain areas were changed

E3 Better Than Beef

Within the Level 2 folder, not only is there an E3 version of Level 2, but there's also an unused version of the mission Better Than Beef that was meant for E3. The mission itself is close to that of the final, and can be played by replacing m5i.mfk with the e3m1i.mfk file inside the Level 2 folder, and then editing the first line with a text editing program to prevent the game from crashing during loading from:

to

The level itself has several differences. First, you're given more time in this version, Apu uses a different AI (Easycop.con in the scriptscarspursuit folder), and 'Curious Curator' doesn't play when Apu appears. You also have to talk to Cletus after arriving at the Krusty Burger. In the final, the conversation happens automatically.

E3 Rigor Motors

Like Level 2, Level 7 also has a file that appears to be an E3 Rigor Motors (judging by the positions mentioned in the file) that was used for a similar or the same demo. However, unlike the early Better Than Beef, the mission script is incomplete, and all that remains is a 'dummy' objective that's obviously meant for testing, so there isn't anything left.

Collision Debug

By using a cheat code in the in-game options menu, one can toggle a debugging tool for collision. The area where the player's character or car is marked red, while the areas that aren't are white. It continuously changes as you drive along, the areas shown being the closest to you.

To access this in the GameCube and Xbox versions, head to the Options menu, hold L + R, and press B, A, B, Y. To access this in the PlayStation 2 version, head to the Options menu, hold L1 + R1, and press ○, ✕, ○, △.

Fair warning: on original hardware, this function is known to cause slowdowns.

Unused Cheat Code Entries

The game's cheat code index contains entries for several effects with no assigned button code, hence they go unused. Most are currently unknown.

• 0: Effect unknown.
• 2: Makes all costumes free to purchase.
• 3: Unlocks all levels and missions.
• 4: Effect unknown.
• 10: Effect unknown.
• 12: Effect unknown.
• 13: Effect unknown.
• 15: Effect unknown.
• 17: Effect unknown.

Version Differences

Hit & Run was released on all major platforms at the time, and a couple of minor changes were made to each release.

GameCube port

The GameCube port seems to be based on an earlier build of the game, as it has some oddities within it:

• Flaming Tires (Level 7's Bonus Mission) is replayable due to what appears to be an oversight. While the red exclamation mark will not appear over Smithers' head, the blue glow underneath his feet will. This oversight is shared in some early copies of the PlayStation 2 version.
• The Hovercar's transparency effect doesn't appear to work properly, causing the windows on the car to not be transparent. This may be a result of a technical limitation with the refraction effect, as the windows actually do use a shader that supports transparency.

• Evergreen Terror's theme has a hard-to-hear guitar midway that was amplified in other releases:

• Various textures had to be scaled down in order to accommodate for the smaller disc space.

PlayStation 2 port

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox ports seem to be a bit more complete in comparison to the GameCube one: the Hovercar window issue was fixed, Evergreen Terror now has proper instrumentation, and the Flaming Tires Mission glitch was fixed.

• The PlayStation 2 port runs at a lower framerate due to weaker hardware (almost less than 30) and this does screw up the physics slightly.
  • Despite this, however, the PS2 version does not use the entirety of the PS2's processing power, which suggests that the developers may just have not been experienced enough developing for the system.
• While the cheat code to blur the view while driving can be entered and is considered valid across all versions, it only actually functions on the PlayStation 2 release.

Xbox port

The Xbox port has a built-in 'widescreen' option that every other version lacked.

PC port

• The PC port adds a 'Lemonade Stand' prop in Level 1, re-did the entire HUD and some textures to support higher resolutions, and has the bugfixes that the PlayStation 2 and Xbox ports had.

• The PC port removes a Buzz Cola Vending Machine that was present in the console releases beside a shack at the tyre fire.

• The PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox versions contain a spawn point beyond Level 7's blocked off bridge which is not present in the PC version.
• The PC port has an exclusive bug where entering cheat codes in the Options Menu accessible through the Main Menu crashes the game.

• However, the PC release is missing several visual enhancements, such as the 'lens flare' effect from the sun seen in Level 1.

• The 'steering' animations for the player go unused due to what appears to be a technical oversight.
• Due to a programming oversight, the Signs outside the School and the Community Center are not random, like in the console version.

Simpsons Hit And Run Wiki

• The icon for Snake behind bars from the mission 'Slithery Sleuthing' was changed for the PC release.

• The console versions of the game have additional colours for the traffic cars compared to the PC version.

Hover Car

The refraction effect used by the Hover Car is different across all versions.

• In the GameCube version, the effect seems to take the currently rendered frame and offset it, then render the offset version through the vehicle.
• The PS2/Xbox version is more complex and distorts the image in relation to each face of the model.
• The PC version does not feature the refraction effect at all, and instead just makes the Hover Car slightly translucent. It is unknown why this change was made, as the original effect can still be restored by modding. It is possible the developers just didn't have enough time/knowledge of the system to port the effect across.

PAL version

The PAL version of the game features numerous changes to allow for different languages to be supported.

• The mission title on the mission briefing screen is in sentence case, instead of entirely capitalised.

• The mission objective text box is stretched vertically slightly to account for different languages taking up more space in the text box.

'Best Sellers' revision

The 'Best Sellers' re-release of the PC version features some very minor differences to the regular PC version.

• The executable file was edited in some way.
  • It's possible that it was just recompiled, as opposed to any of the code being edited.
• A typo was fixed in the French version of Level 2's newspaper where an Á was used instead of an À.
• Similarly to the international version of the game, the mission objective text box is stretched slightly.
• The file srr2.p3d was edited in some way. This is the file that contains all of the game's text.

Australian Release

The Australian removed the line 'Don't come in here, we're making... sausages' due to censorship reasons.