SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Score: 85% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: THQ Developer: THQ Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Platformer
Graphics & Sound: 'Whooooo lives in a pineapple under the sea...' Whether you've ever actually seen the cartoon or not, chances are you recognize that quote as the opening line of the popular Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, developed by THQ, is the latest game set in SpongeBob's underwater universe. While primarily targeted for kids, the game is good enough on its own merits to warrant a play by fans of the platforming genre. The underwater world of Bikini Bottom, which is a town by the way, not underpants, definitely has an extremely unique style. This style is conveyed pretty well in the game and looks like the result of classic suburbia, a Florida retirement village and a bit of the 60's all in one. Add to the fact that the game takes place underwater and you've got an environment that is best described as 'trippy'. Also, while the graphics themselves are fully 3D and don't 'look' anything like the cartoon, they managed to cram in so many silly, amusing and subtle character nuances from the show, it feels perfect. It's like exploring the various underwater settings from the cartoon in a new dimension, if you'll pardon the phrasing. Aside from some of the environments looking a little 'plastic', the overall quality of the graphics is extremely good. It comes as no surprise that most of the sound effects in Bikini Bottom sound like they came from a cartoon since they likely did. Some of the details are really great, like the classic tiptoe noises SpongeBob makes when he's walking really slowly. The music is about the same caliber as the sound effects. Most of it is based off various types of beach or sailing music. It's amusing enough at first, but it can get extremely irritating after awhile. Of course, this is really a game for kids, and we all know how even the most annoying stuff to them can be fun over, and over, and over.
Gameplay: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom begins with the evil Plankton building an army of evil robots in an attempt to steal the Krabby Patty formula. Since he is, like most cartoon villains, a severe bungler, he accidentally sets the robot-building machine to 'don't obey' and the robots begin to run amok. Like most 3D platformers, the hero can somehow save the day by collecting objects. The main objects SpongeBob will be collecting are golden spatulas, which let him access new areas, and shiny objects, which serve as a sort of money. There are also various other objects to collect such as golden underpants (square shaped of course), socks and golden steering wheels. Of course, most of the time these other objects are collected simply to obtain more golden spatulas. In this sense Bikini Bottom is your typical item collection platformer. One of the more unique aspects to Bikini Bottom is that you'll frequently have to change characters in an area to complete all the tasks. There are three characters to control: SpongeBob, Patrick the Starfish and Sandy the Squirrel. Each has a very different set of moves. Patrick is more of a fighter, while Sandy can do aerial tricks and SpongeBob is sort of a mix between the two. You can't change characters just anywhere though; you can only swap at bus stops.
Difficulty: When you have a game which was likely developed with children in mind, and put it together with the fact that most of the gameplay is pretty generic 3D platforming dynamics, you get a game that's not going to be very hard for experienced gamers to complete. That's not to say that it won't offer some challenge, but it's really a more casual and laid back playing experience. It's kinda like going to the beach. Experienced gamers will probably want to try to tackle the challenge of collecting all the golden spatulas in the game, which is a far more challenging task.
Game Mechanics: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is definitely based off a Nickelodeon cartoon. There are some downright crazy things in this game, most of which come from the show. Many 3D platformers prevent users from exiting the current area with invisible walls or impassable terrain. Bikini Bottom will halt your progress with a giant hand that will come into the screen and return you to the proper area. The residents of Bikini Bottom, mostly fish, can also exhibit some seriously hilarious behavior. Aside from the normal platforming mechanics, you will occasionally have to do something a little more, interesting, to get a spatula. You'll do some downright crazy things such as sliding down a chute on your tongue and bungee jumping, from your underwear. There are also a couple of very entertaining boss fights sprinkled throughout the game, something that was missing from the last generation of 3-D platformers. I also have to mention one more thing. In this version, for the Gamecube, there is a very abrupt and fairly annoying pause when saving your game. It's not a big thing really, but it happens over and over and just started to get on my nerves. Anyways, while SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom may not be groundbreaking, its unique style and 'charm' transform what could have been a boring and typical platformer into a very entertaining experience. If you're a fan of the show, or a fan of the platforming genre, you should definitely give this one a try.
-Alucard, GameVortex Communications AKA Stephen Triche
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