The Simpsons Hit & Run has a warning meter that indicates when the police will retaliate for bad behavior. The character can perform certain acts of violence, such as attacking pedestrians, blowing up vehicles, and destroying the environment. The game has a sandbox-style format that emphasizes driving, and the player controls their character from a third-person view. In both games, the player races against other characters, collects items before a timer runs out, and wrecks other cars. The game's driving missions are also similar to those of Grand Theft Auto III. To drive, the player can either commandeer one of the vehicles that litter the road, a feature taken from Grand Theft Auto III, or use a phone booth to select a car. When traveling by foot, the player character can walk, run, and perform several attacks: a normal kick, a jumping kick, and a smashing move.
The game's playable characters are Homer Simpson, Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Marge Simpson, and Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. The player can only control one specific character in each level. Hit & Run has seven levels, each with missions and a unique plot.
