The Simpsons: Bart vs. the World is a side-scrolling platform that compiles smaller games belonging to different genres. In each stage, Bart must navigate through the area, collecting items such as firecracker balls for self-defense and Squishees to restore health By grabbing a cape, Bart can become his superheroic alter-ego, Bartman, and fly for limited periods. The most important items in each stage are Krusty-brand souvenirs. There is one in every stage, and Bart must find them all in order to get the best ending. There are also several mini-games in each area, with puzzles such as a matching-card game and a trivia game based on events in actual episodes.