The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants

The Simpsons:
Bart vs. the Space Mutants
Developer(s)Imagineering
Arc Developments (ZX Spectrum, C64, Genesis, Game Gear, Master System)
Publisher(s)Acclaim Entertainment
Ocean Software (computers)
Director(s)Garry Kitchen
Designer(s)Garry Kitchen
Barry Marx
Dan Kitchen
Roger Booth
Henry C. Will IV
Artist(s)Jesse Kapili
Writer(s)Barry Marx
Composer(s)Danny Elfman (theme)
Mark Van Hecke (NES)
Mark Cooksey (MS/GG)
Jonathan Dunn (computers)
Platform(s)
ReleaseNES
  • NA: February 1991
  • EU: December 12, 1991
Amiga
  • EU: September 1991
Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, C64, ZX Spectrum
Genesis, Game Gear
Master System
  • EU: September 1992
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants is a 1991 platform video game developed by Imagineering and published by Acclaim Entertainment for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was also released for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum by Ocean Software, and in 1992 for the Sega Genesis, Master System, and Game Gear; all ports were developed by Arc Developments. In the game, the player controls Bart Simpson through five levels as he tries to ruin the aliens' plan to take over the world, collecting specific items and avoiding enemies. It is the first video game based on the American animated television series The Simpsons.

Bart vs. the Space Mutants was designed by Garry Kitchen, who was approached by Acclaim in 1989 while the original Simpsons shorts were airing on The Tracy Ullman Show. Full production began in May 1990 with an intended release by Christmas 1990, development issues caused the game to be delayed to early-1991. Upon release, Bart vs. the Space Mutants received mixed reviews, with criticism directed towards the control and high difficulty level. However, it was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies and becoming a best-seller for the NES. It was followed the same year with The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World.