The Simpsons’ legendary Steamed Hams scene is now available as a point-and-click adventure game. While there hasn’t been a new Simpsons game in some years, many of the earlier games, as well as the long-running comedy, continue to be popular with fans. Over 20 games based on the animated comedy have been developed across a variety of consoles since the series’ inception in 1989. While several Simpsons moments have gone viral over the years, the sequence dubbed “Steamed Hams” by fans is undoubtedly the most popular.
The scenario is from Season 7, Episode “22 Short Films About Springfield,” in which Principal Skinner hosts a luncheon to impress his employer, Superintendent Chalmers. Skinner decides to replace the main course with hamburgers from the fast-food eatery Krusty Burger after his roast catches fire. Skinner then tells a succession of humorous stories in an attempt to cover up his faults, culminating in his kitchen catching fire – which he claims is caused by the Aurora Borealis.
In the 1990s, point-and-click adventure games became popular, with gameplay based on users exploring interactive landscapes to solve puzzles and advance stories. While point and click games saw a temporary decline in popularity, they have experienced a rebound in recent years as new developers provide their perspectives on the genre. According to Kotaku, developer NeoDent has built a new point-and-click adventure based on the popular Simpsons meme. From the sitcom-style musical beginning to the house fire ending, it recreates the entirety of Steamed Hams in the style of classic point-and-click game images. In addition to these aesthetics, the game cleverly mimics the gameplay style and UI layout of classic point-and-click adventures such as Grim Fandango.
The game includes the original voice acting from the Simpsons sequence and lets players choose their own conversation options as Principal Skinner – users may either choose the numerous lies from the scene or choose to reveal the truth. The game is free to play on the independent platform Game Jolt. This incredible crossover pays homage to both the iconic Simpsons scene and classic point-and-click adventures.
While many various recreations of the Steamed Hams scene have been created since it became a viral meme, this is by far the most comprehensive and inventive. The fact that the entire scene is interactive elevates the homage, and the great graphics and UI design wonderfully capture the atmosphere of a point-and-click adventure.
In the absence of new or updated Simpsons games, this work will temporarily satisfy many fans. Both The Simpsons and point-and-click adventure games have had a major impact on their respective industries, influencing television and gaming for decades. This creator clearly loved both, brilliantly retooling the scene to fit the game genre. This crossover is sure to be a hit with fans of both The Simpsons and point-and-click adventures, who will be thrilled to see the two come together.