The other day, I went down to the basement looking for an old graphics card for a friend, and I stumbled upon a true piece of retro gaming history. It was 1991, and the developer Ocean Software had released for PC (MS-DOS) and other platforms the game “The Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants.”

Seeing the old box with the floppy disks inside brought back memories of a time when even the game’s packaging could draw you into its world. There was a special kind of magic in those covers and manuals — not only did they explain how to play, but they also told the game’s story, immersing you completely in the universe you had just bought into.

That sense of mystery is something sorely missing today, when everything is online — walkthroughs, full storylines, and every secret already revealed. Back then, you couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had ever actually solved that one puzzle needed to finish the game.

I still remember the soundtrack fondly; it wasn’t bad at all for the time. The colorful sprites were great, though I always found the game pretty challenging. I honestly can’t recall if I ever finished it — I used to try getting past the first few levels once a day, but it was never easy!

I look back on this first Simpsons video game with real affection, especially the humor and Bart’s witty remarks that accompanied the story. 🙂