10 Times You Were An Utter Dick To NPCs

4. Homer Simpson, Shinkicker - The Simpsons: Hit & Run

Simpsons Hit Run
Vivendi Games

The Simpsons has the broadest and most colourful cast of characters perhaps in the history of all of television. And, in The Simpsons: Hit & Run, you can race around Springfield kicking them all to your hearts' content.

Abe Simpson? That's a kickin'. Ned Flanders? That's a kickin'. The old man Jasper? You better believe that's a kickin'.

Of course, you will catch the ire of the Springfield police department but it's worth it to watch these characters fall helplessly onto their backs and flail like overturned turtles. Getting busted by Chief Wiggum charges you $50, but unlike the Grand Theft Auto games that inspired The Simpsons: Hit & Run, there's no dramatically violent retort to kicking Lenny Lennard in the shins over and over.

As the player, it's hard to resist because of just how harmless yet hilarious it is. And it all starts with Marge Simpson, who is the first NPC you'll encounter. It would be dark and morbid if it wasn't so slapstick, and it's become such a tradition with Hit & Run players that it's pretty much an expected part of any playthrough.

So, the most devoted players have devised entire challenges around this like kicking Marge from the family home to the Kwik-E-Mart. Because that's what any normal, well-adjusted gamer would do.

Contributor

Coming from a content creation background that now spans over two decades, Psy cut her teeth on personal video production and community radio. Originally joining the team as a writer and presenter, she added video editing duties to her responsibilities over time and became the longest-standing editor of the irreverent gaming show Tues Your Own Adventure. Psy has worked on many previews and reviews, long-form editorials (either her own, or supporting as an editor), as a frequent quizmaster and more. Praised for the two-pronged attack of her hard work ethic and light-hearted editing style, Psy is otherwise known as a font of retro video game knowledge which has caused her to rack up many quiz wins. Outside of WhatCulture, Psy runs First Aid Spray Podcast - a long-running channel that focuses on Resident Evil in all of it's forms. You can follow her on BlueSky at http://psywhite.bsky.social and Instagram at http://instagram.com/therealpsywhite