“The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants” is that quintessential 8‑bit platformer that made us believe all of Springfield could fit on a cartridge. As kids we called it all sorts of things: “Bart vs. the Space Mutants,” “Bart vs. Aliens,” “Bart vs. Mutants,” even just “The Simpsons on NES.” The hook was instant: Bart Simpson, a skateboard, a slingshot, and a pair of X‑ray specs versus aliens hiding in plain sight among the townsfolk. You bolt down Main Street, spray‑paint every purple thing red, bounce across signs and fire escapes, scrape together coins to buy key items, all while a chiptune take on the TV theme hums under your skin. It’s not just “a game based on the show”—it’s that fingertip tingle when you nail the timing and tag a disguised invader as familiar shopfronts and Krusty posters flicker by.

In the early ’90s, Bart leapt from TV to the NES, and slapstick suddenly became a test of reflexes and observation: it’s not only about jumping, you’re solving little neighborhood puzzles too. The mall, the museum, Krustyland, the nuclear plant—each level is a Springfield postcard with its own tricks, secrets, and boss fights. That blend of side‑scrolling platforming and light adventure‑style tasks made it stick, and for many it was the first hands‑on trip into the universe. We’ve collected the origins, regional titles, and waves of popularity in our series history, and you can cross‑check plot details and release info in the Wikipedia article. Fire up Bart vs. the Space Mutants and you can still hear that alarm: the streets are calling, and you’re hunting purple again to derail the aliens’ plans.

“The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants” boots up and you’re instantly in. The rhythm isn’t frantic, it’s springy: a step, a glance, a sharp hop, and Bart’s sly smirk. This isn’t about rushing — it’s about wit and cheek. The purple hunt sets the tone: tag over anything purple with your spray can, stash it, knock it down — whatever it takes to derail the latest alien scheme. X-ray specs spotlight mutants hiding among the locals, turning every intersection into a little puzzle. The skateboard begs to carve up the streets, but hesitate and it’s a patrol, a grumpy neighbor, or Nelson’s snicker. You scoop up coins for spray or the next must-have gadget — Bart’s kit grows alongside his swagger. The platforming’s buoyant, with pixel-perfect timing: catching ledges, hopping window displays and hydrants, slinging stones dead-on with the trusty slingshot. It all breathes Springfield — signs, gags, noisy yards — with a pint-sized rebel at the center who can take on anything.

Levels flip moods like episodes of the show: downtown, the mall, the amusement park, the museum, and, for the finale, places where you’d better keep your wits about you. The tempo swells and eases: you rocket through blocks on the board, pace yourself by the escalators in the mall, and tightrope across moving platforms at the fair. Boss fights aren’t about brute force — smarts and improv matter more; Lisa and Marge feed you hints, and Homer distracts with his trademark charm. Mistakes sting, but the NES-hard here feels fair: each retry builds confidence, your fingers learn the beat, and repetition turns to flow. Call it “Bart vs. the Aliens,” “Bart vs. the Space Mutants,” or just “that Simpsons game on the NES” — many names, same vibe: arcade rush, a dash of stealth, a pinch of questing, and the thrill of hunting secrets. You’ll want another lap — your hands already reaching for the spray can; the rest we’ll break down in the gameplay.