Introduction

Even Mr. Sparkle would find the Simpsons video game efforts of the past shameful, but EA's newest attempt to bring the four-fingered family to life offers both style and substance on the Nintendo DS. The city of Springfield, the microcosm that sprung forth from Matt Groening's mind two decades ago, comes to life in the Simpsons Game. Challenging platforming, thought provoking puzzles and lampoons of an entire history of video games combine to make this virtual satire hard to put down.

In the tradition of the 2D platformers of yore, mastering the Simpsons Game can be harrowing. Collectibles hover perplexingly out of reach, puzzles seem to lack all the necessary pieces, and all the while Comic Book Guy raises a poignant eyebrow at your inadequacies. Don't head for Shelbyville just yet, though. In the approximated words of Jebediah Springfield, this noble guide will embiggen the smallest gamer.

In this The Simpsons Game strategy guide, you'll find:

• BASICS // The Simpson family can be deadly if you know how to use them.
• WALKTHROUGH // Best walkthrough, ever.
• SECRETS // We'll help you put the Android's Dungeon out of business with a guide to the toughest collectibles and a level-by-level list of every Video Game Cliché.

Guide by: Samuel Claiborn