SpongeBob SquarePants: The Movie Video Game Review

For a show that's been going on for 9 years with no sight of slowing down, there's no surprise how much the cartoon character Spongebob has potential for the merchandising department. There's everything from DVD players, DVDs, pillows, bedsheets,etc... why not video games based off of the show.

Nickelodeon's The Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie video game is rated E for everyone. It all begins with the one eyed Plankton out to destroy Mr. Krabs yet again. King Neptune's crown is missing and Mr. Krabs is blamed due to Plankton's scheming. Spongebob and Patrick start a quest to save Mr. Krabs and return King Neptune's crown safely upon his head. The game starts out with a huge problem at the Krusty Krab ( the restaurant where Spongebob works) and only the famous sponge can solve it. What's the problem? A customer ordered a krabby patty with cheese but there was no cheese to be found on the sandwich.

Spongebob's first mission requires gaining strength and going through obstacles. Spongebob oddly enough can't swim but yet uses his tongue to glide over mountains. He and his buddy Patrick have the ability to fight by swinging their arms quickly in a circular motion. Spongebob has the same karate gloves as when he fights Sandy. It's a good idea to hit all the wooden boxes you come across granted they contain dumbbells of strength.

This video game has short cartoon animation of scenes from the movie. The characters change from level to level. Remember the part where Spongebob goes with Patrick to down his sorrows at the ice cream shop when Squidward is instead named as manager of a Krusty Krab restaurant. Patrick has to defend against peanut character enemies and yes stick out his rather long tongue onto an ice cube to fly across certain areas. He also has a cartwheel style that may result in laughs the first time trying the move out.

This game has great graphics. The characters look very similar to those in the cartoon with great detail. The background is bright and colorful but the music tends to drill into your head after a while of game play. Not to mention the repeated character soundbites. Buildings collapse around you when big bulldozers bust open walls and cranes remove parts of the road. Some game levels are quite difficult and frustrating.

For example there is a sandwich driving portion of the game where in a sandwich car you must complete the track before the 3 minutes are up. Hint: Get as many power boosters as you can to launch when you're on the last part of the track to fly fast to the finish line. Even if you do make it before the 3 minute time limit, you have to play it again to beat your best time. Even at times in this part of the game it appears Spongebob/Patrick's car makes it over the finish line before time and yet the message of "challenge failed" appears on the screen.

Throughout the game you obtain 'Goober Tokens' The more you earn, the more upgrades the characters can have. There's even extras such as movie film trailer and changing costumes and more if you have earned enough treasure chests. Overall this game is cute but may be a bit too difficult for younger players. List price on Amazon for this product is $39.99 but if you don't mind used, the purchase price is around $6-14. It's always a good idea to check the seller's reviews/ratings first before making a purchase. Keep in mind that doesn't always guarantee a good product. If buying online isn't your thing, check out Gamestop for used games at around $15-10 dollars for this game. Log on to: http://www.us.playstation.com/PS2/Games/The_SpongeBob_SquarePants_Movie for complete details.