SpongeBob SquarePants video games explained

SpongeBob SquarePants
Collapsible:no
Genre:Action, ticket redemption, adventure, action-adventure, city-building, puzzle, sports, third-person shooter, racing, party, rail shooter, platform
Italic Title:no
First Release Version:Legend of the Lost Spatula
First Release Date:March 15, 2001
Latest Release Version:
Latest Release Date:January 31, 2023

The SpongeBob SquarePants video game series is a collection of video games and arcade games based on the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants and its film series with the same name. The television series' massive rise in popularity during the 2000s led to a myriad of video games that span different genres. Several of these games are based on concepts from specific episodes, two of which are based on theatrical releases. Some of these titles had multiple different versions developed for a variety of home consoles and handheld consoles. Until 2013, the vast majority of titles were published by THQ. From 2013 to 2015, the license for most titles was handed to Activision. The license is currently held by THQ Nordic. Video games based on the series have often received mixed reviews from critics, yet many of these titles have performed well in sales.

SpongeBob related characters have appeared in numerous other Nickelodeon crossover video games as well, featured alongside other Nicktoons.

Releases

Year! rowspan="2"
TitlePlatform(s)Acquired label(s)
ConsoleComputerHandheld
2001
2002
2003SpongeBob SquarePants CollapseWindows
SpongeBob SquarePants DartsWindows
2004SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends in Freeze Frame FrenzyGame Boy Advance
SpongeBob SquarePants Movin' with friends
SpongeBob SquarePants Typing
The SpongeBob SquarePants MovieMicrosoft Windows MacOS
  • PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits
  • Xbox Platinum Family Hits
  • GameCube Player's Choice
SpongeBob SquarePants Bowling
2005SpongeBob SquarePants: 3D Obstacle Odyssey
  • PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits
  • Xbox Platinum Family Hits
  • GameCube Player's Choice
  • PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits
  • PlayStation Portable Greatest Hits, Essentials
2006
  • PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits
SpongeBob and Friends: Battle for Volcano Island
SpongeBob SquarePants Diner Dash
2007
SpongeBob SquarePants in Bikini Bottom Bowling
SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis
2008SpongeBob Atlantis SquareOffWindows
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Game of Life
SpongeBob SquarePants: Monopoly
2009SpongeBob Dinner Dash/SpongeBob Dinner Dash lite
SpongeBob's Truth or Square
  • PlayStation Portable Essentials
2010SpongeBob's Boating Bash
SpongeBob for iOS
2011SpongeBob SquigglePants
SpongeBob Dinner Dash Deluxe and SpongeBob Dinner Dash
SpongeBob's Surf & Skate Roadtrip
SpongeBob SquarePants: the Clam Prix
2013SpongeBob Moves In!
2015SpongeBob HeroPants
2020SpongeBob Krusty Cook-OffNintendo Switch
SpongeBob SquarePants: Patty Pursuit [1]
2022SpongeBob SolitairePants
SpongeBob: Get Cooking[2]
2023[3]
SpongeBob Adventures: In a Jam[4]
SpongeBob Simulator[5] Windows
Notes:
Year! rowspan="2"
TitlePlatform(s)Acquired label(s)
ConsoleComputerHandheld
2000[6] [7] Nicktoons Racing
2001Nicktoons Nick TunesWindows
2002Nickelodeon Party Blast
2003Nickelodeon Toon Twister 3-DWindows
2004Nicktoons Basketball
2005Nicktoons Unite!
  • PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits
2006Nicktoons Winners Cup RacingWindows
2007
2008Nicktoons: Android Invasion
2009Nicktoons Nitro
2011Nicktoons MLB
2018Nickelodeon Kart Racers
Super Brawl Universe
2020[8] [9]
2021Madden NFL 21[10]
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl[11]
2022Hot Wheels Unleashed[12]
Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis
Nickverse
Minecraft x SpongeBob DLC
Fall Guys[13]
2023PowerWash Simulator[14]
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Toca Boca[15] iOS, Android
Survivor.io[16] iOS, Android
Stumble Guys[17] WindowsiOS, Android
Brawlhalla[18] Windows, MaciOS, Android
Oh Baby! Kart[19] Windows, Mac
Epic Roller Coasters[20] PlayStation 5Windows, Mac
Notes:

Reception

The SpongeBob SquarePants video game series received mixed reviews from critics. Although the video game based on the movie is the highest rated according to Metacritic, Battle for Bikini Bottom is considered by fans to be one of the best video games in the series.[21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Edge declared Operation Krabby Patty as the 29th game in their list of "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century" in 2006.[26]

HeroPants was nominated for the "Favorite Video Game Award" at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2016, but lost to Just Dance 2016.[27] Employee of the Month was nominated by the editors of Computer Gaming World for the "Adventure Game of the Year" award in 2003, but the award was given to .[28]

Lights, Camera, Pants! was nominated for the Best Animated Video Game title at the 33rd Annie Awards in 2005, but lost to Ultimate Spider-Man. Creature from the Krusty Krab was nominated for the Best Animated Video Game at the 34th Annie Awards in 2006, but lost to Flushed Away.[29] It also won the award for Favorite Video Game at the 2007 Kids' Choice Awards.[30]

Sales

The PlayStation version of SuperSponge sold 1.06 million copies, becoming one of the console's best-selling games.[31] Battle for Bikini Bottom sold over 1.25 million copies.[32] Both games were added to the PlayStation Greatest Hits by Sony, and the latter was added to the Xbox Platinum Family Hits and the GameCube Player's choice by Microsoft and Nintendo, respectively.[33] [34] [35]

By 2006, SpongeBob SquarePants video game series sales totaled 1.5 million copies sold, with Operation Krabby Patty having an estimated sales total of 490,000 copies.[26]

Edge also ranked Revenge of the Flying Dutchman, Battle of Bikini Bottom, and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie at numbers 34, 31, and 25 respectively in their list "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games," based on the number of copies sold. The Game Boy Advance versions of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Battle for Bikini Bottom, and Revenge of the Flying Dutchman sold an estimated total of 780,000, 710,000, and 740,000 copies, respectively.[36]

By 2007, the video game series totaled more than 20 million copies shipped worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises.[37] [38] By 2010, the series reached more than 29 million copies shipped worldwide.[39] [40]

SpongeBob Moves In! peaked at #6 at the App Store Official Charts of Top Paid iPhone Apps, and on #4 at the Top Paid iPad Apps in 2013.[41] [42] [43] [44]

In June 2020, The NPD Group released a ranking of the Top 10 best-selling SpongeBob games in the United States as of May 2020, with The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie being in the number 1 spot followed by Battle for Bikini Bottom and Revenge of the Flying Dutchman.[45]

On August 13, 2020, Rehydrated had sold over 1 million copies.[46] And as of May 19, 2021, it reached more than 2 million copies.[47]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit is the ultimate new Apple Arcade game for fans. CNET. Shelby Brown. May 28, 2020. May 13, 2021. May 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513221611/https://www.cnet.com/news/spongebob-patty-pursuit-is-the-ultimate-new-apple-arcade-game-for-fans/. live.
  2. Web site: Netflix and Tilting Point team up for Spongebob: Get Cooking and Narcos: Cartel Wars Unlimited. Dellosa. Catherine. Pocket Gamer. 2022-09-28. 2023-07-25.
  3. Web site: Diaz. Ana. 2021-09-17. SpongeBob bumbles through the multiverse in new adventure game. 2021-09-17. Polygon. en. 2021-09-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210917200037/https://www.polygon.com/22679702/spongebob-squarepants-nickelodeon-the-cosmic-shake-patrick-star-cartoon. live.
  4. Web site: Pre-Register Now to Help SpongeBob and Friends Save Bikini Bottom In Upcoming Mobile Game, 'SpongeBob Adventures: In a Jam!' . 2023-08-28.
  5. Web site: NickALive!: Paramount, Gamefam Partner For 'SpongeBob,' 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Fan Experiences In Roblox. NickALive!. July 26, 2023.
  6. Web site: Blevins . Tal . Nicktoons Racing . IGN . 24 May 2020 . 11 May 2000 . 15 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415142818/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/11/nicktoons-racing-4 . live .
  7. Web site: Nic . Marc . Nicktoons Racing review . IGN . 24 May 2020 . 20 December 2000 . 15 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415141315/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/21/nicktoon-racers . live .
  8. Web site: Xbox Series X Compatible Game Leaked, And It Stars Spongebob. 2020-06-11. 2020-06-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20200611192350/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-compatible-game-leaked-and-it-stars-/1100-6478290/. live.
  9. Web site: Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 Leaked With Spongebob, Ren & Stimpy, Hey Arnold, Rugrats And JoJo Siwa. Shannon Grixti12 months. ago. June 11, 2020. June 11, 2020. June 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200611190818/https://press-start.com.au/news/xbox/2020/06/11/nickelodeon-kart-racers-2-leaked-with-spongebob-ren-stimpy-rugrats-and-jojo-siwa/. live.
  10. Web site: madDEN 21 noW hAs a sponGeBOB SquARePaNTS fiEld . Jay . Peters . The Verge . January 8, 2021 . January 9, 2021 . January 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210109005359/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22220669/madden-spongebob-squarepants-field-reef-top-the-yard . live .
  11. News: Spurlin. Brittany. July 13, 2021. Every Character Confirmed For Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. Screen Rant. July 13, 2021. October 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211005231428/https://screenrant.com/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-every-character-confirmed/. live.
  12. Web site: Etra. Alden. Hot Wheels Unleashed Launches SpongeBob-Themed Racing Season. January 20, 2022. January 21, 2022. Screen Rant. January 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121064055/https://screenrant.com/hot-wheels-unleashed-spongebob-racing-season/. live.
  13. Web site: Play Fall Guys Season 3: Sunken Secrets, from November 22nd! . 2022-11-21 . www.fallguys.com . en-US.
  14. News: 2023-06-13 . PowerWash Simulator's SpongeBob SquarePants DLC out at the end of June . en . Eurogamer.net . 2023-08-28.
  15. Web site: Casal . Marianna . 2023-06-09 . Spin Master's Toca Boca announces SpongeBob integration . 2023-12-27 . Licensing.biz . en-GB.
  16. Web site: 2023-12-18 . Survivor!.io . 2023-12-28 . App Store . en-GB.
  17. Web site: Gose . Lance . 2023-11-12 . Stumble Guys Adds SpongeBob SquarePants in New Game Collab . 2023-12-27 . CBR . en.
  18. Web site: SpongeBob SquarePants Karate Chops into Brawlhalla . 2023-12-27 . news.ubisoft.com . en-us.
  19. Web site: Takahashi . Dean . 2023-12-12 . Oh Baby! Games launches Oh Baby Kart racing title in SpongeBob universe . 2023-12-27 . VentureBeat . en-US.
  20. Web site: Epic Roller Coasters Announces SpongeBob SquarePants DLC . 2023-12-27.
  21. Web site: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated . . 19 April 2020 . 8 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108224807/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom-rehydrated/c35s5brnwl70?activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab . live .
  22. Web site: The 25 Best SpongeBob Video Games (Ranked) . 19 April 2020 . 19 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919215910/https://www.fandomspot.com/best-spongebob-video-games/ . live .
  23. News: Top 10 SpongeBob SquarePants Games . Thetoptens . 19 April 2020 . 29 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029140715/https://www.thetoptens.com/spongebob-squarepants-games/ . live .
  24. Web site: Inside the wild speedrunning community of 16-year-old SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom. Winkie. Luke. 2019-09-25. PC Gamer. en-US. 2020-04-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20191121194659/https://www.pcgamer.com/inside-the-wild-speedrunning-community-of-16-year-old-spongebob-battle-for-bikini-bottom/. November 21, 2019. live.
  25. Web site: SpongeBob Speedrunner Won't Rest Until Battle For Bikini Bottom Gets The Respect It Deserves. Gach. Ethan. 2017-05-21. Kotaku. en-us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703024649/https://kotaku.com/spongebob-speedrunner-wont-rest-until-the-game-gets-the-1795418676. July 3, 2019. 2020-04-18.
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/8 . The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century. Edge Staff . August 25, 2006 . . October 17, 2012 .
  27. Web site: Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List . . 12 March 2016 . 20 April 2020 . 2 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210102103004/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/kids-choice-awards-2016-complete-867457 . live .
  28. ((Editors of CGW)). . Computer Gaming Worlds 2003 Games of the Year . March 2004 . 236 . 57–60, 62–69 .
  29. Web site: Legacy: 34th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2006). Annie Awards. 2008-01-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20070820181320/http://www.annieawards.com/foryourconsideration.htm. 2007-08-20.
  30. Web site: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Winners!. Holland. Lila. TV.com. 2007-04-02. 2008-01-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20080502180113/http://www.tv.com/story/9252.html. May 2, 2008. live.
  31. Web site: US Platinum Videogame Chart . The Magic Box . 2016-08-22 . 2007-12-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml . 2007-04-21 . live .
  32. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Goes Greatest Hits . 19 April 2020 . 6 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606092024/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040930005117/en/SpongeBob-SquarePants-Battle-Bikini-Bottom-Greatest-Hits . live .
  33. Web site: Sony Adds 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom' to Greatest Hits Collection. https://web.archive.org/web/20140503175626/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-99947260.html. May 3, 2014. Wireless News. December 6, 2013. September 30, 2004.
  34. Web site: The season's best bets for video-game enthusiasts. https://web.archive.org/web/20140610075849/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-119460841.html. June 10, 2014. San Jose Mercury News. December 6, 2013. November 20, 2003. San Jose, CA.
  35. Web site: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Platinum Hits - Xbox . 8 October 2020 . 6 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210606092037/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom-platinum-hits-xbox/5939265.p?skuId=5939265 . live .
  36. The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games. Edge. https://web.archive.org/web/20080920015349/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-centurys-top-50-handheld-games?page=0%2C1. September 20, 2008. August 2, 2006.
  37. Web site: Gamers Join SpongeBob in His Search for the World's Oldest Bubble in SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis . 2009-03-21 . 2007-10-24 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150205204224/http://investor.thq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=96376&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1066582 . 2015-02-05 .
  38. THQ Announces SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam!, Along With Additional New Titles, in Company's Xbox LIVE Arcade Line-Up. 23 July 2020. 23 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200723055046/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20071024005047/en/THQ-Announces-SpongeBob-SquarePants-Underpants-Slam!-TM. live.
  39. Web site: 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Franchise Stays With THQ, New Title In Development. 17 September 2020. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606092057/https://worthplaying.com/article/2010/10/18/news/77611-spongebob-squarepants-franchise-stays-with-thq-new-title-in-development/. live.
  40. Web site: THQ and Nickelodeon continue long-standing partnership with new multi-year rights to create SpongeBob SquarePants video games. 17 September 2020. 13 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170213231145/http://www.gamewatcher.com/news/2010-18-10-thq-and-nickelodeon-contiune-long-standing-partnership-with-new-multi-year-rights-to-create-spongebob-squarepants-video-games. live.
  41. News: This week's top 10 paid and free apps for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. Winnipeg Free Press. 13 July 2013. 2 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130706074832/http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/this-weeks-top-10-paid-and-free-apps-for-iphone-and-ipad-on-the-app-store-214008501.html. 6 July 2013. live.
  42. Web site: The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store. Miami Herald. 13 July 2013. 9 July 2013.
  43. Web site: Top apps for the iPad and iPhone. PerthNow.com.au. 13 July 2013. 10 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130713002606/http://www.perthnow.com.au/technology/top-apps-for-the-ipad-and-iphone/story-fnhqginx-1226676915840. 13 July 2013.
  44. Web site: The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store. Mercury News. 13 July 2013. 9 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130710031641/http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_23628229/top-iphone-and-ipad-apps-app-store. 10 July 2013. live.
  45. Web site: Top 10 best-selling SpongeBob games of all time in the U.S.. 17 July 2020. 11 July 2020. Nintendo Everything. 11 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200711135207/https://nintendoeverything.com/top-10-best-selling-spongebob-games-of-all-time-in-the-u-s/. live.
  46. Web site: Q1 REPORT WEBCAST PRESENTATION . 13 August 2020 . 14 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814105909/https://embracer.com/webcast/q1-report-webcast-presentation/ . live .
  47. Web site: FULL YEAR REPORT 2020/2021 AND Q4 WEBCAST PRESENTATION . 20 May 2021 . 20 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210520131706/https://embracer.com/webcast/q4-report-webcast-presentation/ . live .