GENRE
	Platformer
	DEVELOPER
	THQ
	PUBLISHER
	THQ
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	no
	WII EXCLUSIVE
	gcn
	EXPECTED RELEASE DATE
	October 29, 2003
	BUY NOW AT

What happens when an animated television series becomes popular? We get a video game version of it! SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is yet another video game based on a popular franchise. Is there anything that makes SpongeBob unique compared to the rest of the crowded video game market?

Media

Impressions
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is a traditional platformer that brings little as far as gameplay innovation is concerned. Like most other 3D platformers, you explore large, open levels collecting items, solving puzzles, and beating up bad guys. As you progress through the game’s 10 worlds, you will obtain power ups that are necessary to accomplish your next goal. Battle for Bikini Bottom doesn’t stray too far from this formula, although it does provide plenty of bonus levels and side games, such as the intriguing Underwear Bungee Jumping. You will also be able to play through the game with three different characters, each with their own special attributes and strategies.

While SpongeBob isn’t going to win any awards for innovation and appears to be a decent title at best, it does have one thing that sets it apart from the rest of the genre: the SpongeBob Squarepants license. For those unfamiliar with the license, SpongeBob Squarepants is a popular animated television series with fans of all ages, mostly pre-adolescents and college students. The show is a comedy about the misadventures of the inhabitants of an underwater community named Bikini Bottom, particularly everyone’s favorite porous rectangle, SpongeBob Squarepants. In addition to SpongeBob, there are many other goofy characters that make the show a joy to watch: Patrick Star is a fat and stupid starfish; Mr. Krabs is a greedy crab and owner of a fast-food restaurant; Gary is SpongeBob’s pet snail that acts like a cat; Plankton is a sinister little plankton (the little things whales eat), hell-bent on world domination; and Squidwort is a pretentious squid.

The scenario would fit right in with the television show: Plankton has formulated yet another evil scheme to conquer the world, and only SpongeBob and his friends can stop him. The story may be paper-thin, but the strength of SpongeBob Squarepants is its hilarious characters, and the story of Bikini Bottom ought to be an entertaining one thanks to them.

Battle for Bikini Bottom features serviceable graphics that do a fine job recreating the animated series in 3D; the character models and environments are colorful and preserve the visual style of the televison show, but is otherwise unimpressive. Aurally, the voice-acting will be performed by the voice actors from the television series. Much like the rest of the game, the production aspects of Battle for Bikini Bottom are merely competent and nothing to get excited over.

From the Horse's Mouth
In an effort to cause the kind of global mayhem he has always dreamed of, the evil Plankton has set in motion his most diabolical plot ever to take over the world and the fate of Bikini Bottom has been put in the hands (or small tentacles) of three unsuspecting heroes. Put your platform skills to the ultimate test as SpongeBob, Patrick or Sandy Cheeks with an array of insane new maneuvers and power-ups at your disposal! Explore a huge 3D world, encounter familiar friends and finally put an end to Plankton's evil scheme!

• 3 playable characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star or Sandy Cheeks - each with their own special moves and abilities.
• Crazy maneuvers like "Tongue Boarding", "Underwear Bungee Jumping" and the "Lasso Copter" along with insane power-ups like the "Guided Cruise Bubble" and "Bubble Bowl."
• 10 huge 3D environments to explore including bonus levels, hidden items and other secret rewards.
• Your favorite characters from the cartoon including special cameo appearances.

Conclusion
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom will be a solid rental for fans of the show and platforming fans in general may want to try it out when it is released later this month.

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word on the street

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