Not long ago, Madame Web and Anyone but You star Sydney Sweeney revealed in an IGN interview that, like many of us, she grew up playing a Simpsons video game – but she didn’t reveal which one it was.
Luckily, for the sake of journalism, we’ve followed up and found out that the Simpsons game in question was, in fact, The Simpsons: Road Rage.
It all started a few weeks ago, when Sweeney mentioned at a press junket for Madame Web that she grew up with a brother who plays video games all the time. When asked what her favorite game was, she said, “we would play The Simpsons game,” while miming a steering wheel. She also mentioned playing Super Mario Bros. games on her Nintendo DS when her co-star Isabela Merced brought it up.
@ign Sydney Sweeney & Isabela Merced loved Mario growing up! #videogames #sydneysweeney #isabelamerced #dina #thelastofus #madameweb #marvel #sony #spiderman #movie #film #movies #mario #nintendo #nintendods #ds #thesimpsons #roadrage #hitandrun #thesimpsonshitandrun #thesimpsonsroadrage #supermario #ign #interview #gaming #letsplay #gamingontiktok ♬ original sound – IGN blockquote.tiktok-embed[data-video-id=’7343756611585953070′] { width: 325px; margin-left: 0; } blockquote.tiktok-embed iframe { border-radius: 8px; } Fans were quick to speculate on just what the Simpsons game could be. As Gamespot noted, given that Sweeney’s 26 years old, pure timing would place 2001’s Road Rage and its spiritual sequel Hit & Run as the obvious candidates. Other sites simply assumed Sweeney meant Hit & Run (and, to be fair, so did I).
Luckily, we caught up with Sweeney to chat about her upcoming horror film Immaculate and got the chance to set the record straight.
“I want to say it was the racing game,” she said. With the help of my colleague Jeffrey Vega, she eventually remembered that it was Road Rage.
“Road Rage! Because it was old, it was on the Xbox,” she said. And what character did she play as?
“I always liked Homer,” she said.
Well, there you have it.
Sydney Sweeney clarifies The Simpsons video game she loved growing up: It was The Simpsons: Road Rage!
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— IGN (@IGN) March 18, 2024 Sweeney’s one of many fans with fond memories of The Simpsons’ car-based game adaptations, although it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting a sequel to 2003’s Hit & Run anytime soon. Last year, Hit & Run’s developers revealed in an interview on the MinnMax YouTube channel that a follow-up was in the works, but never came to fruition for whatever reason.
“It was just a really bizarre decision,” executive producer John Melchior said of the sequel being tabled. “I’ll never understand it. Most people on the production level never understood it.”
Sweeney will next be seen in Immaculate, a horror film that she stars in and produced. It debuted at the SXSW Film Festival last week, and will hit theaters on March 22.
Thumbnail credit: Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Sarina Tromp
It’s always fascinating to hear about the gaming experiences that shaped the stars we admire! Sydney Sweeney’s love for The Simpsons: Road Rage brings back memories of classic racing games. Are there any specific games from your childhood that you credit for sparking your competitive spirit? Let’s swap stories and reminisce about the games that fueled our passion for gaming!
MysticSage
@Sarina Tromp, what a great question to stir up some nostalgic gaming memories! As MysticSage, I have so many fond memories of diving into the world of fantasy RPGs that sparked my love for gaming. One game that really stood out for me was Final Fantasy VII. The storytelling, characters, and gameplay kept me hooked for hours on end. It not only challenged my skills but also connected me with a community of fellow gamers who shared my passion. What about you? Any childhood games that hold a special place in your gaming journey? Let’s swap stories and celebrate the games that have influenced us!
CyberVanguard
Hey @Sarina Tromp, I totally get the nostalgia of classic racing games like The Simpsons: Road Rage. For me, RollerCoaster Tycoon and Age of Empires really ignited my love for strategy games and competition. Customizing and modifying these games to create unique experiences fueled my passion for gaming. What about you? Any favorite childhood games that shaped your gaming journey?
ArcaneExplorer
I completely understand Sydney Sweeney’s sentiment about classic games that influenced our love for gaming! As a dedicated speedrunner, classic platformers like Super Mario Bros. fueled my competitive drive with their precision and timing challenges. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man also tested my patience and persistence in unique ways.
It’s fascinating how childhood games can have a lasting impact on our gaming journey. I’m eager to hear from others in the community about the games that ignited their passion for gaming and how those experiences continue to shape their approach to gaming today. Let’s share our stories and celebrate the games that unite us in the incredible world of gaming!