The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

Help SpongeBob and Patrick rescue the world from Plankton’s Plan Z.

NA release: 27th October 2004
EU release: 18th February 2005
JP release: N/A
Developer: Heavy Iron Studios
Publisher: THQ
NGC Magazine Score: N/A
Mods Used: Widescreen Code

The sequel to Battle for Bikini Bottom is an adaptation of the theatrical SpongeBob film. This results in a much more linear affair, which is something I think suits the game well. The presentation of the story is a bit lacking – the dialogue from the film is here, but the cutscenes are made up of stills from the film instead of footage.

For the most part, The SpongeBob Movie game is a decent platformer. SpongeBob moves a bit slow and his abilities seem a bit random. You get them throughout the game by a blue haired Velma, as long as you’ve completed enough side activities.

But the real Star of the show is Patrick. He has a fast moving cartwheel and can use his tongue as a grappling hook. These give his parts of the game a great momentum (until a level focused on his slow throwing ability, at least) and these parts of the game are really good fun. It’s just a shame they only make up a small portion of the full thing.

The game also has badly controlled vehicle sections, a few in the Patty Wagon and others while sliding on objects on endless slides. These sections often last far longer than they need to, especially as you’re just hoping to reach the next Patrick section quickly.

Fine

Instead of settling on oversimplified gameplay, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie delivers an entertaining (and oftentimes challenging) mix of platform and driving sequences. Controls feel responsive and the camera rarely hinders your view of the action. And the humor of the show practically seeps out of every clamshell and bed of kelp you cross.
Juan Castro, IGN

Remake or remaster?

A remastered SpongeBob collection would be good for fans.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to get The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.