The Simpsons is basically a side-scrolling beat-em-up featuring the characters from The Simpsons TV show. The player can choose to play as each of the four Simpson characters. Homer who punches and kicks; Marge who swings her vacuum cleaner; Bart who wields his skateboard; and Lisa who uses a jump rope as a whip. Other weapons such as hammers and bowling balls are also available to use.The game's levels are Downtown Springfield Krustyland Springfield Discount Cemetery Moe's Tavern Springfield Gorge Dreamland the Channel 6 studio and the Power Plant. Each level ends with a boss whose speed and strength will increase after taking a certain amount of damage.Between levels the player can compete against the other characters in two mini-games to be first to complete a task (inflating a balloon and waking up their character).