Top 10 Best and Worst SpongeBob Video Games

After a handful of great titles, it seemed like SpongeBob was ready to take over the gaming landscape. Alas, all good things must end sometime, and it all started with “Creature from the Krusty Krab”. While there wasn’t anything outrageously abhorrent, there just wasn’t anything special about it. It recycled gameplay formulas we had already seen in previous “SpongeBob” titles, and the pacing was so out of whack that many levels overstayed their welcome. Sure, it may have been fun destroying Bikini Bottom as a colossal Plankton, but the game’s story and structure were clearly haphazardly thrown together.

If you have never heard or seen this title, we can’t blame you. This microgame collection was shoved onto the uDraw tablet, a peripheral that would cause THQ to file for bankruptcy. However, “SpongeBob SquigglePants” was one of the few titles that incorporated the tablet in fun ways. Much like Nintendo’s “WarioWare” series, players would go through microgame after microgame, doing basic tasks before the game increased its speed. Not only would fans get a kick out of the various artstyles, but some of the microgames make references to the show’s best episodes. Needless to say, this may have been a nostalgia trip for the few who played it.

One would think that a point-&-click adventure game starring our porous pal would be a surefire hit, and while “Employee of the Month” has received its fair share of fans, it isn’t exactly one of the better “SpongeBob” games. We could forgive the game’s short length, but some of the dialogue and scenarios are too awkward to comprehend. On top of that, the game doesn’t offer anything beyond a sea of unbearably basic fetch quests. There just really isn’t anything here, and even by 2002 standards, it simply isn’t worth the time.

“Revenge of the Flying Dutchman” may have been far from perfect (especially if you’re playing on the buggy PS2 version), but when played on GameCube, players witnessed a major milestone for SpongeBob. Not only was this the first time we could explore Bikini Bottom in a 3D environment, but it would help lay the foundation of future “SpongeBob” titles with its focus on collecting and solving puzzles. Sure, the visuals haven’t aged particularly well, and some of the mechanics weren’t as polished as they could have been. However, at the time, this was an adventure that left most fans in awe with its colorful environments and engaging challenges.

While this was one of the very first “SpongeBob” games, “Operation Krabby Patty” wasn’t the ideal experience fans were looking for. Most of the game saw players running around courses and maps trying to either collect items or defeat items. Some may have found delight in its simple arcade style, but for others, the repetition set in quickly! If there was any reason to keep you going, it was to watch the cutscenes featuring Plankton fumble with his evil plans again. Even then, we’d just tell you to watch a compilation of these scenes rather than look out for a copy.

Don’t let the footage fool you - this isn’t some “Mario Party” knock-off with a SpongeBob skin. “Lights, Camera, Pants” was actually one of the most enjoyable party games you could play with friends! Four players compete in a series of minigames in order to win roles in the new “Mermaidman & Barnacleboy” movie. Whoever performs the best across the campaign wins a starring role as the villainous Sneaky Hermit. And the best part? You’ll get to see the movie with everyone’s characters playing the roles they won! Unique in concept and immensely fun to play, “Lights, Camera, Pants” was a great way to blend Movie Night and Game Night together!

Whereas “Lights, Camera, Pants” brought out the movie buff in us, “Underpants Slam” was the uninvited guest that crashed the whole party. As one of five playable characters, players must navigate around a stage and collect a total of ninety-nine pairs of underwear. Yes, it is VERY monotonous, and you have to do this for each of the game’s ten levels! While the game does cost a mere ten bucks, it simply doesn’t provide enough entertainment to justify its price tag. If “Creature from the Krusty Krab” didn’t kill the hype for a new “SpongeBob” game, “Underpants Slam” certainly did.

Coming a year after another exceptional “SpongeBob” title, the video game adaptation of the 2004 movie proved to be another smash hit for our favorite fry cook! While it wasn’t much of a collectathon like previous titles, the game allowed players to spend “Manliness Points” to upgrade SpongeBob and Patrick’s abilities. On top of that, every level rewarded players for exploration; uncovering hidden areas could lead you to Goofy Goober tokens or additional challenge rooms. This wasn’t just another movie tie-in game - this was yet another “SpongeBob” game that knocked it out of the park!

If you’ve played any mobile game that sees you building “your own” insert-fictional-town-here, then you’ve already played “SpongeBob Moves In”. Rebuild Bikini Bottom the way you see fit, complete tasks to keep characters happy, and get frustrated when the game demands premium currency for specific items. Yeah, this app doesn’t only charge you a few bucks to download the app - it’s also loaded with microtransactions. Considering there are better mobile games that are FREE TO PLAY, there’s simply no reason for you to download this. Our yellow buddy certainly didn’t deserve a game so manipulative and greedy.

It’s no wonder why “Battle for Bikini Bottom” is considered to be the best SpongeBob game among many! For its time, this 3D action platformer was one of few licensed games to release and not stink worse than a rotting Krabby Patty. It boasted an original story, improved upon the formula of exploration and basic combat set by “Revenge of the Flying Dutchman”, and had the show’s voice actors reprise their roles…well, most of them. Between it’s hilarious dialogue, clever puzzles and challenges, and intense boss fights, “Battle for Bikini Bottom” was THE “SpongeBob” game that every fan needed to experience, and if you enjoyed this title, chances are you’re already blasting through the “Rehydrated” remake!