The Simpsons Wrestling - What Happened?

[@guyofminimalimportance7]

The funniest thing about This game to me is how because the developers designed characters built around jokes instead of balance, they somehow ended up making Ned Flanders one of the most ridiculously OP fighting game characters of all time.

[@BlooditeDrakan]

Well... there is that episode where he was in a play with Marge and had to go shirtless. Ned was frigging RIPPED. So... even if by accident, I guess it makes sense?

[@eatatjoes6751]

The man is ripped.

[@jeffrye42q35]

Only way I could beat the game is Flanders.

[@TheL1arL1ar]

Stupid sexy Flanders

[@digitalboy80]

@@mightyfilm But god was just testing his faith with those tragedies. 🥴

[@FoxMan_FF]

"Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan." That's a _hell_ of a quote.

[@marley7868]

failure is also life's greatest teacher -yoda (misquoted obviously)

[@KingNormie1]

Attributed to John F Kennedy after the Bay of Pigs disaster; but actually supposedly comes from Tacitus. It’s a hell of a profound quote

[@guaposneeze]

"Success has many fathers. But failure is ALL MINE!!!! MWA HA HA HA! ... awww."

[@Savannah_Simpson]

Lol, I mean in a “no shit Sherlock” kinda way. You mean people want credit when things go good but not the blame with things go bad? No way! Never good have figured that one out.

[@FFKonoko]

​@Savannah Simpson except failure is nuanced. Plenty of things are commercial failures but good games, that aren't disowned. And even then, some true failures of games, like Scott Cawthornes Wood cutting game was the precursor to fnaf. Terrible, but still not disavowed, because it was part of a person's development and process. The real line is if something is a failure to a corporation, impersonal yet embarrassing. Even with failure, artists will often still keep their links.

[@kapkant6197]

The kind of game where you walk through the door, put your hat on the hat rack, see the game and immediately walk in a circle and head back out the door

[@kf-95]

Ah a late 90s wrestling game. As was the style at the time.

[@liquidbiden]

We wore an Nwo belt, we didn't have any of those fancy golden eagle belts. Eric bischoff stole our word for ratings.

[@mattbellomy9027]

Though the Smackdown games were epic

[@DebitAdams]

Perfect comment

[@DebitAdams]

​@@mattbellomy9027 No Mercy and Revenge were great too

[@michaelmccarthy4892]

We watched AEW which back that day was called WCW.

[@Jackattack359]

You can’t deny that Ned being the most OP character in the game is the most hilarious part

[@BadandMadMartin]

He was the hardest character to beat. When you DID beat him, he'd resurrect. 🤬😡🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@Jackattack359]

@@BadandMadMartin the power of Christ compelled us all

[@therealblackcerberus2371]

*compel-diddly-elled FTFY

[@skepticpunk_]

Gill: Needs full meter to resurrect, can be interrupted during the process leading to less-than-full health and even potential juggling to death anyway, disables super buildup entirely on use ala Guilty Gear IKs removing meter on whiff, meaning Resurrection can only be used once per round and removes EX and Super Arts as options when used, is a final boss so breaking some rules is justified Ned Fucking Flanders:

[@Hayastantzi92]

Smithers was more OP, Flanders is easy

[@Sean_Bird]

After all of the Simpsons references he's made over the years, this is fitting. So very fitting.

[@lucinae8512]

Which makes this episode extra special!

[@justinwilliams1127]

It's a perfectly cromulent review.

[@barleybap9528]

Reviewing Spider-Man games? That's a Simpsons reference. Searching for the worst fighting game? That's a Simpsons reference. What Happened episode on The Simpsons Wrestling? Oh, you better believe that's a Simpsons reference.

[@whoobastank8616]

Which was the style at the time

[@XombieLejon66]

It really embiggened the feel of this game

[@mobo85]

In regards to concerns regarding violence towards Maggie, an issue in that regard was directly responsible for one of the most glaring omissions in this game: every illustration of a Simpsons character is legally required to carry a facsimile of Matt Groening's signature. The Simpsons Wrestling is one of the few products that does not. In an oral history of The Simpsons Road Rage published on the site Inverse in 2021, an anonymous developer of the game brought up that Groening demanded his name be taken off the game after he personally took offense to the ability for Marge to throw Maggie as a weapon which can be deflected by Groundkeeper Willie's rake. Said developer remarked this was the reason why Groening and the Simpsons team were much more hands-on in Road Rage's development, with Groening even remarking to its team "If I don't like this game, I'm never going to put my name on another Simpsons game again." Thankfully, both it and its successor Hit and Run were much more in line with the Simpsons style.

[@evanhanley6437]

Wow! Nice work finding this info dude! Thats very interesting!

[@universalperson]

Ironic given that Willie killed Maggie in a recent Treehouse of Horror segment

[@BknMoonStudios]

​@@universalperson A lot can change over 20 years.

[@mrroboshadow]

Homer kicking Marge literally up and down the street? Hilarious Throwing Maggie? Too far

[@LukeLeonettiYouTube]

Listen, Matt can enjoy a foot massage from one of Epstein’s underage sex slaves, but he draws the line at child abuse

[@KittyMeow1984]

A wrestling game with no grappling mechanics. What a time to be alive.

[@bruceluiz]

But to be honest, the gameplay seems like those Dragonball games, minus the flying mechanics.

[@MrSkerpentine]

Guess “The Simpsons Bloodsport” didn’t have as nice a ring to it

[@CGB_Crash]

I mean to be fair it wasn't uncommon to see actual wrestling with little to no grappling at the time. Attitude and all that.

[@tedjomuljono3052]

Capcom's Slam Masters sequel and Midway's Wrestlemania Arcade predates Simpsons grapple-less wrestling game

[@juanjuri6127]

The grappling happens when you grapple with your life choices, specifically the ones that led you to buy that game.

[@Deoxy360]

So many childhood memories with this game. Terrible ones because this game was impossible to beat.

[@CommanderSilence]

Just pick Apu and do his chaotic arm slap attack or pick Crusty and do his hammer attack. That's all

[@Zelldic27]

apu was overpower

[@BadandMadMartin]

I beat it and enjoyed it. Was it a great game? No, not by a long shot.

[@ClickyJayJay]

Gamer rage at 8 years old lol.

[@Peringon]

I beat flanders with bumblebee man and then steamrolled the game with Ned cause he's broken AF

[@Kaybeeguy]

The fact that one of the senior programmers of this game acknowledged the issues regarding The Simpsons Wrestling and also explaining what happened during development is pretty cool.

[@TapirMask]

Look everyone, a senior programmer is talking!

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

This game has the most basic graphics and the load times are like 5 hours. R Type Delta has almost no load times

[@Scouthedog1]

If we can't get a hit-and-run remake I think Simpsons wrestling would be the next best thing

[@claw1004]

More like a redo for the wrestling game lol but it could work

[@hunterculpepper1973]

​​@@claw1004 then I'd buy that thou a project zomboid like game or platform fighter or shoter would play perfectly I'd pay 70 dollars for each with dlc then cause if it's on switch it's 60 so I'd take that cause the Simpsons can literally charge me for a 60 dollars for a platform fighter then have mountains of dlc with characters from treehouse of horror imagine monster bart turning krusto to a dog then bashing off stage that would be hilarious

[@ShiroColdkeyesTheHedgehog]

Agreed it needs a serious remake, and maybe have it playable on PC and current systems, plus have it be fun online, and create a Simpson mode​@@claw1004

[@91mrpogi]

Yeah. Imagine being able to play as other characters from kids like Nelson, Milhouse, martin, Ralph, Rodd, Todd or other adults like sideshow Bob, jailhouse bird, clancey wiggum, Carl, Lenny, Seymour Skinner, Gary Chalmers

[@Thephantom95]

I always KNEW that those Simpsons references would pay off in the universe of Matt McMuscles. Also, Simpsons memes and Wrestling goes together like Peanut Butter and Chocolate....

[@PierzStyx]

I would pay a decent chunk of change to play a fully realized Simpsons wrestling game. Imagine Apu's eight children doing a run-in for the KWO, the KWIK-E World Order!

[@nunchuk28]

I feel like this episode was a pretext to make as many classic era simpsons references as possible, and I'm all for it.

[@ImpergatoxYT]

You know, Matt McMuscles turned into a hardcore Simpsons channel so gradually I didn't even notice.

[@Anxomaxo]

"So how many Simpsons references would you like in the video?' Skinner: Yes!

[@Brawler1993]

Matt's Simpsons references are always on point

[@Iwidelyoutliveeverything]

They should be, he created the simpsons

[@rudewren]

Dramatization: May not have happened 🤣

[@ichijofestival2576]

Matt's really gotten his use out of that "Homer cuts players from the team" clip. Kinda surprised it's survived when "which was the style at the time" has been, mostly, drowned like a bag of kittens in a well.

[@ToranosukeEdo]

A perfectly cromulent episode- It embiggened my soul

[@lazybacon7520]

2:50 Man, I loved Virtual Springfield. It was basically like LEGO Island

[@VGF64-2]

Knowing how much Matt loves The Simpsons, this shall be an interesting watch.

[@KremBotop]

An episode on the movie would be interesting too. How it took over 15 years to even be made is quite odd.

[@DeltaOdyssey]

It would be cool to see an episode on hello neighbor at some point, I feel like the way that ge turned out and developed certainly lends itself to some interesting stories.

[@ThEjOkErIsWiLd00]

The channel WickedWiz did a great vid all about it in his "What went wrong?" series.

[@Offroader210]

You can't have a Matt Mcmuscles video without a Simpsons reference, and what do you know; a Matt Mcmuscles Simpsons video!

[@catsorafgc]

I feel like the entire channel was leading up to this moment. I can tell this is going to be an amazing video. Edit: not sure if this was on purpose, but this episode was the same length as an average Simpsons episode. I find that really funny

[@dominicspizzirri4399]

I freakin love this channel. You deserve 10x more views than you get. Keep it going Matt.

[@LNSLateNightSaturday]

As a lifelong Simpsons fan, I really appreciated the care with which you made all those cutaway references. I knew you were a fan by how much you've mentioned the show in passing, but this was just *chef's kiss*! ;)

[@KingGargantuas]

With the many Simpsons jokes Matt has made on What Happened over the years, it feels oh so satisfying to see him finally talk about arguably the worst Simpsons game ever made!

[@oscarzxn4067]

This coming so late on the PS1 life means it was a really common pirated game in third world countries where just around that time people were able to buy a PS1, and it helped the Simpsons were a religion in most parts of the world

[@doomzilla3568]

Great video Matt. As a massive simpsons fan, good thing i missed out this game and got hit and run instead. Yikes the development was doomed to start and ended up as one of the most notorious simpsons game out there. They had a rough time on this game and especially on whenever they would do humor over gameplay and boy does it show.

[@nickfarace9339]

Matt I will never tire of your clear love of classic simpsons. The editing in this was perfect.

[@ratchetxtreme6591]

“Which was the style of time “ - Grandpa Simpson

[@rickpgriffin]

Don't think I didn't notice your example of Simpsons Cartoon Studio was the Steamed Hams version

[@steelyjacman5841]

Was literally just wondering today what a Wha Happun episode about the Simpsons would look like

[@EmmBee27]

12:30 I feel like this isn't the first time I've heard this in relation to video game development, a lot of companies were tip toeing around just about anything that involved schools, kids, and *any* form of violence paired together around that time.

[@GenerationWest]

The video where Matt overdoses on Simpsons references. He died doing what he loved, and it isn't over a volcano.

[@ultimapower6950]

Wait there was a volcano?

[@Haysey_Draws]

Oh man, mentioning Gainax at the start really wants me to see a What Happened to them. They went from pioneers in anime to basically just a shell company with reportedly just a few employees. I'd imagine though information would be thin on the ground.

[@universalperson]

There's actually a video abput it somewhere. Basically all the talent started their own studios.

[@daylightsilence1]

I'm going to finally comment and say it. Not only do I love your content, your upload schedule is so solid and commendable. Thank you!

[@OSW]

A perfectly cromulent review!

[@liamr6088]

Fucking knew ye'd be here lol

[@liamr6088]

Simpsons, Wrestling and Matt McMuscles? How could OSW stay away

[@evanhanley6437]

I knew you boyos would mark out!

[@jayjay-cl1eo]

Wrestling and Simpsons? This really shouldn't have failed.

[@Totavier]

This whole week I was in like in a Simpson marathon for no reason (watched old episodes and playing some Simpsons games, mostly the Konami Arcade one). And now when I thought that I finished on it, Matt upload a What Happun Simpsons game video with lots of references out of nowhere which is probably the best ending extra bonus that I got. So thank you!, I enjoyed!.

[@Tocat-l4r]

What I would really like is a GOOD Simpsons game in the same style of the South Park RPGs. One that's deep on lore and respects the series. Get the writers from the early seasons to write the story.

[@autumnalgloom5360]

That paragraph about not caring too much about mechanics because it was aimed children made me think about that one Sailor Moon fighting game that apparently is suprisingly competent for what it is.

[@JMSK248]

Video game, wrestling, Simpsons... This is what Matt McMuscles has been training for his entire life. JUST HOOK IT TO MY VEINS!

[@jacobs.9661]

Look man, Simspons references will ALWAYS be the style of the time.

[@lawrencemoody738]

Great video. Your love for early simpsons shines through.

[@DobbyDoo24]

When I worked in Blockbusters in the UK this game was constantly being rented out - the power of a popular license

[@merikksoleil5648]

I'm surprised Bart's Nightmare wasn't mentioned during the 'painting purple' portion, but learning that Leyland went on to make Skylanders is a surprising turnout considering that Toys For Bob wasn't on Activision's radar *until* then, iirc.

[@klawstecno2083]

Is "The Simpson's game" the best game related to this series? I know some people say that Hit & Run is great, but in my honest opinion, "The Simpson's game" have much more charm, specially with the gimmick stages paroding games.

[@Noiser2092]

The Simpsons Game is a great game, too bad they weren't able to make the sequel.

[@buddyfree1321]

Surprised this wasn't a worst fighting game video.

[@MattMcMuscles]

Its history/development was way more interesting then the actual game.

[@arcademania7544]

*worse 😉

[@lowell5000]

Peak McMuscles content, I’m pumped!

[@windego999]

It didn't get brought up, but the game balance was horrendous. Flanders was beyond busted. He just kneels down and prays, and God smites you with a thunderbolt from anywhere on stage, and it wasn't slow on startup and didn't leave him open after. You basically couldn't beat the man as soon as someone figured out you could spam that with zero consequence.

[@aymann7234]

I remember renting this when I was little. Thought it was fun enough. IIRC, you couldn't directly unlock Smithers or Kang/ Kodos, but could trick the game into letting you play them in Practice Mode and setting the opponent to have an AI.

[@bluetarantulaproductions6179]

I remember the Kang and Kodos boss fight was rediculous.

[@Ominouslionheart]

I have a distinct memory of renting this game from Blockbuster. The main thing that stood out for me were the unlockable characters,namely Ned Flanders. I remember how much I struggled to unlock him,because when you "beat" him,he instantly revives with full health. But then once he's unlocked,you never have to play as anybody else because of how stupidly OP his revive is.

[@retrojoe85]

Your continous references to the series are always better than every single match played in this game!

[@nsilverguy1]

Missed Simpsons line opportunity at 11:04! From Troy McClure's Half Assed Approach to Foundation Repair - "The do's and do not do's" Awesome video man. I was excited to get the notification, and you did not disappoint, as always. Cheers!

[@ADreamingTraveler]

The golden age of the Simpsons is one of my favorite shows of all time so I always loved seeing the references in your other videos. So getting this video is just a treat. Also the die/diet bit with Activision and EA was so good lol

[@chrischarles1219]

Which was the style at the time…

[@jean-pierrea5803]

Man, that Activison/EA joke was brilliant.

[@TheRealJoshie]

What episode is that original scene from?

[@jean-pierrea5803]

@@TheRealJoshie season 8, episode 10. The Springfield Files

[@moister3727]

I love this game as a kid. Always picked Barney because farts and burps were funny for me at the time.

[@menhirmike]

18:16 I love how the one awesome Simpsons game was a one-off by a completely different publisher.

[@YuriYumi902]

I know this series is usually reserved for things that went sour for certain pieces of media, and were usually disappointments, but I'd love if you did one of this series on Hit and Run and how it defied the license video game curse. It's not perfect as a game but I'd love to see you delve in the legacy it's led since it's original launch. Every now and then we a success story out of this series of videos you do and I feel your style of video would fit perfect to discuss Hit and Run. I'd love your take.

[@AxisChurchDevotee]

What about the game adaption of Peter Jackson's take on Kong? That was a masterpiece as well.

[@kriscynical]

Oh WOW that little Flophouse Films spoof at the end astral projected me straight back to my childhood in the '90s. I had completely forgotten about that end credit thing on certain Fox shows!

[@Ksintai1]

I played so much of that Star Wars Episode 1 game as a kid, I will never forget the Big Ape logo.

[@lightbluesquid]

Ooh, I remember this game! Funny enough, I actually enjoyed it back then! I know, guilty pleasure of mine, but y'know. Thanks for another excellent video, Matt!

[@jasonblalock4429]

19:14 Star Control 1 & 2 were primarily designed by Fred Ford and Paul Reiche, who'd later found Toys For Bob. Leyland is just credited with "Additional Design" on those games. (Sorry to be a pedant, but there was a court case a few years back where their authorship got called into question - because of Stardock trying to steal IP they didn't own - so it's a bit of a touchy subject. They were most definitely the lead designers.)

[@Bladebrent]

How about a "Wha Happun" on Phoenix Wright vs Professor Layton? Was announced, then released years later with a game vastly different from the initial trailer, and a messy story. I dont think the game is bad overall, but from what I heard, they started development before Both series creators were on board. Eventually they did get both, but as soon as Shu Takumi was out the door working on it, Capcom got to work making Pheonix Wright: Duel Destinies, because OBVIOUSLY Apollo Justice didnt do well cause people liked Phoenix, Right?!?! Sorry, im slightly bitter

[@kylehunter2674]

Flanders is so OP in this game lmao

[@xIncisions]

An perfectly cromulent review of a not-so-fantastic game - the references and spliceys throughout were just fantastic. A can of Duff to you, good sir!

[@orcwarchiefreviews]

You know that Simpsons virtual tour might be a very interesting thing to see

[@Kid_illithid]

Relatively new listener. Quickly becoming one of my favorite creators

[@CaptainHyper8]

I really appreciate the throwback at the very end of the video

[@MisterFael]

2:40 Holy shit I remember playing this. I didn't even knew english at the time.

[@rocketrobie2]

Ok so I’m watching this on my Tv and something doesn’t seem right, the visuals aren’t lining up with the audio after some point so I went on my phone and it was fine. I compared the two and at around 1:12 Matt mentions Gainax as a studio on my TV but on my phone that bit is cut. Is my TV running a different version of the video or something?

[@Raveg64]

I'm loving this antagonistic relationship between Matt and Max

[@RileyZilla1001]

Maybe you should cover Gundam Crossfire. The game that buried Gundam games in America for a solid decade after the sales of a "far too difficult game" tanked dramatically.

[@soulstorminferno5135]

Fun Fact!: The Simpsons Movie has a Dutch dub! That's kinda weird because normally only kids movies are dubbed in Dutch.

[@mcsassafras9043]

Fox: We can't have a game where you fight a baby. Visceral Games: *heavy breathing*

[@SDallas777]

Great video, never can get enough Simpsons content from ya! Don’t know where to ask for this but I am just hearing about Babylon Fall for the first time and I feel like this needs the McMuscles treatment to catch me up.

[@beardofginge]

I didn't know that I needed this today, cheers!!

[@VidelPC]

I would be interested about your take on Baten Kaitos 1-2. I shared your excitement when the remastered collection was announced. It's a shame that nobody played it despite its qualities So yeah, a WH would be awesome

[@Teknoman]

There were a decent amount of cel shaded games around at the time, im surprised they didnt just try to get a close approximation using those techniques?

[@rodgerklotz6810]

never stop doing this series love them so much

[@PrinceMallow]

Gonna exercise that "leave a comment below" for potential What Happened? episodes and say I'd love to see one covering Action 52/The Cheetahmen.

[@ebookjapan8054]

The writing and voice acting being 'too graphic' for a game is strange. Radical was nervous about showing Hit and Run to Matt Groening because of the ability to kick characters around, only for him to spend his first minutes with the game beating up Marge.

[@QellOmnyhydrax]

Probably the funniest video you’ve ever made… at least that I’ve ever seen. Legit was howling outside shovelling my driveway- neighbours already think I’m crazy so it’s all g. But wow you got me so many times…

[@LeroyPatterson]

I was SO damn excited for this game. The combination of my two favorite things at the time sounded amazing! I got it and returned it in the same day, I don't know if I've ever been let down so hard with a videogame before.

[@raltor20]

@@animezilla4486 Hit and Run is no where near as good as many people think it is mate hahaha. Nostalgia does a lot of heavy lifting

[@Mateus_Carvalho]

Kinda funny that this was indeed related to Celebrity Deathmatch... and indicative of the state of affairs too, going from something that's still going to this day to an underrated product that I think lasted a couple of years or so with a short revival on the side.

[@gp.5989]

I remember renting this from Blockbuster as a kid and hating it. My love for WWF and Simpsons were not enough for me to enjoy it.

[@do3807]

Love that closing monologue lmao

[@willbrummer4018]

You had me at Simpsons Wrestling but had me rolling with the gags and clip references. I wouldn't mind a 'Hit n Run' quality take on this game. Simpsons Wrestling 2 :No Mercy

[@BackdoorBarnyard]

Ah yes, video games. The medium where people expect content to be censored *more* than the 1950's morality laws that govern broadcast television. ESPECIALLY IN 2001

[@tripdefect87]

I remember at the time going to my local blockbuster, seeing the display for Simpsons Wrestling, and desperately wanting to play it. Unfortunately it was almost always checked out by someone else and maybe that was for the best

[@time4manmode945]

15:28 that’s a low blow man, why did you had to reference that heart wrenching scene🥺😅

[@AJthePup]

Matt waited hos whole life to make this video.

[@D3D3D]

Hopefully in the second half of the year we'll get a video for the Suicide Squad game.

[@Fuloqwam]

Mr McMuscles, your KZbin career seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?

[@xSpooKee]

So early it’s only 360p. Great video.

[@joemoody2626]

Ok the speed holes metaphor got me 🤣🤣🤣 good job finding the references sir

[@sheepofwater]

You really went all in on the references right up till the end