🍩 Woo-Hoo! Matt Groening Teases That The Simpsons: Hit & Run is "Coming Back"
During a panel at D23 2026, The Simpsons creator Matt Groening sent shockwaves through the gaming community after seemingly letting it slip that a revival of the beloved 2003 open-world title The Simpsons: Hit & Run is currently in development.
🎤 The Slip-Up Heard Around Springfield
When a fan during the panel asked whether a sequel or return to the iconic Grand Theft Auto-style game was ever going to happen, executive producer Matt Selman started with a safe answer, noting that a return "would certainly be a treat."
However, Groening jumped in with a direct tease that caught both the audience and his fellow panelists off guard:
"Speaking out of turn, I think the original game is coming back in some form." — Matt Groening
Recognizing that a major secret had just been spilled on stage, showrunner Matt Selman immediately attempted damage control with a quick and nervous, "...or not," prompting laughter across the panel.
🚗 Why Hit & Run Remains a Cult Classic
Originally released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, original Xbox, and PC, The Simpsons: Hit & Run has long been considered the golden standard for licensed video games.
Open-World Springfield: Players could freely drive and sprint through multi-layered representations of Springfield, playing as Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, and Apu.
Authentic Humor: The narrative was written by actual show writers and featured full voice acting from the iconic original cast.
Modern Platform Void: Because of complex licensing hands changing between Vivendi, EA, Activision, and Disney over the past two decades, the original game has remained trapped on legacy hardware without official digital ports on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or modern PC platforms.
🕹️ Remaster, Remake, or Port?
While Groening's comment that the game is coming back "in some form" leaves room for interpretation, rumors have been swirling for months that a remaster or full remake effort is under way.
Whether it arrives as a ground-up remake or a polished high-definition remaster for current-generation consoles, Groening’s accidental confirmation gives fans the strongest signal yet that a return to Springfield's chaotic streets is finally on the horizon.