Beware My Cheating Bart Club" gave the episode a C+ saying that "A stellar Bill Plympton couch gag is the best part of a mediocre "Simpsons"". Different chalkboard gags appeared for different airings of this episode. The original U.S. broadcast version was "The true location of Springfield is in any state but yours", a response to reactions to a Matt Groening interview in which he revealed that the name of Springfield was inspired by Springfield, Oregon, which was widely misinterpreted as Groening revealing that "The Simpsons" Springfield was located in Oregon. The montage featuring Simon & Garfunkel's "April Come She Will" is a reference
The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for "animated violence", "comic mischief", and "suggestive themes". Critics have given the game mixed reviews. "Billboard"s Doug Reece commented that "Unfortunately, the detail is so great that there are moments when "Virtual Springfield" can become somewhat tedious." Nancy Basile of About.com gave the game a three out of five rating, criticizing the lack of a plot but praising the humor. She wrote that "Virtual Springfield" "isn't so much a game as an interactive tour of Springfield and "The Simpsons" characters. Though your task is to collect trading cards around town, it doesn't offer any