The latest crossover event in the popular online game Fortnite has transformed its virtual battlefield into a slice of Springfield. Players can now battle it out as Homer Simpson or explore a digital Kwik-E-Mart, marking just the newest chapter in a surprisingly long and mutually beneficial relationship between the iconic animated family and the video game industry.
This partnership is far from new. It began in the early 1990s, mere years after the show first aired, with the release of Bart vs. The Space Mutants. This side-scrolling adventure, despite its challenging gameplay, became a commercial hit, cementing the idea that the show’s rebellious spirit and its core audience—mischievous young boys—were a perfect fit for the gaming world of the era.
The series itself has consistently used video games as both a satirical target and a character device. Memorable episodes have parodied aggressive game marketing and the era’s “console wars,” while in-universe arcades feature absurd fictional titles that poke fun at everything from fitness crazes to highbrow cinema. The show demonstrated a keen understanding of gaming culture, using it to reflect and exaggerate the personalities of its Springfield residents.
Some of these virtual adaptations have become beloved in their own right. The chaotic, family-friendly mayhem of the 1992 Simpsons arcade game and the open-world antics of 2003’s The Simpsons: Hit & Run, a playful take on crime game tropes, are still fondly remembered by fans. These titles succeeded by capturing the show’s signature blend of humor, parody, and heart.
The new Fortnite collaboration underscores how The Simpsons has evolved from a weekly television event into a persistent cultural icon. Both the show and video games matured in the same vibrant, postmodern era of the early 90s. They share a DNA built on absurdity, social commentary, and a knack for repackaging the excesses of consumer culture into entertainment. While the latest game may not be a dedicated Simpsons title, its environment—a constantly updating hub of memes, references, and cartoonish action—feels like a natural, modern home for Springfield’s residents. It’s a partnership that continues to prove its staying power, one virtual donut at a time.