SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Cover art for the Xbox
Developer(s)	Heavy Iron Studios, AWE Games, Vicarious Visions
Publisher(s)	THQ
Designer(s)	Mare Chaffe, Jill Bux, Herman Shart
Engine	RenderWare
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PC
Release	October 31, 2003 (AUS) November 10, 2003 (NA)
Genre(s)	Platform, action-adventure game
Mode(s)	Single-player

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is a 2003 video game based on the animated comedy series of the same name. Developed by Heavy Iron Studios, AWE Games and Vicarious Visions and published by THQ. The game was released for the Playstation 2, Xbox,and Nintendo GameCube consoles as well as for Microsoft Windows. The player attempts to defend Bikini Bottom from an invasion of robots created by Plankton with a machine called the Duplicatotron 3000. The playable characters are SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy. The Windows version features a series of mini-games and greatly differs from the console versions. The game was released on November 10, 2003.

Gameplay

Patrick in the Carnival level

Players control SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick (a dim-wit) (except in the GBA And PC version, where in the GBA version, players controls SpongeBob only. In the PC version you can play as SpongeBob, Patrick (a dim-wit), Sandy, Gary, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs, in various parts of Bikini Bottom.) Players also battle robot bosses such as Sandy,Plankton, Squidward, Patrick, and SpongeBob (Though you can only battle Robot Squidward in the GBA version). Players can also switch between characters at bus stops throughout the game. Core gameplay involves collecting items and defeating the robots which have attacked Bikini Bottom, whilst crossing platforms and avoiding environmental hazards like spikes and flames. A number of mini-games are also accessible throughout the game, like Whack-A-Tiki, The Rolling Ball, Ske-Ball, The Funnel Machines, or Cruise Bubble Challenge.

The core gameplay resembles other 3D platformers like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, requiring players to collect three main types of items. Shiny objects are the game's currency, and can be used to pay tolls within game areas or to buy golden spatulas from Mr. Krabs. Golden spatulas are used to grant access to new areas, they are hidden throughout the game and can also be earned by completing tasks set by Squidward and several other characters from the cartoon. Patrick's socks are spread throughout the game and are traded with him for golden spatulas.

Props are also included in the game. Trampolines help the player bounce to farther ledges or platforms. Buttons activate special appearances. Pressure Pads are like buttons, but they are big metal squares with feet. Sandy can swing from Texas hooks. SpongeBob can dive downward on a bungee hook. Patrick (a dim-wit) can pick up and throw a watermelon, freeze fruit, or fire fruit at any object. Fire Fruits are not that common in the game. They debuted a cameo when the big balls shot out of the volcanoes in Jellyfish Caves.

Though some areas can be navigated by any character, several sections can only be completed with a specific character, due to each one having unique abilities. SpongeBob can create a bubble helmet for head-butting enemies. Patrick can throw objects at buttons, robots, and freeze liquids. Sandy can glide over large gaps with her lasso. There are cheats available. To activate them hold R1 R2 L1 and L2 (PS2 version) and then enter cheat code.

Plot

The game revolves around the theme of robots invading Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob's hometown. The robots were created by Plankton, the evil genius owner of the Chum Bucket, who has built a new machine called the Duplicatotron 3000 to produce an army of robots. He plans to take over the world using these robots, but only after he creates them does he realizes that the switch on the Duplicatotron has accidentally been switched to "Don't Obey" and the robots quickly kick him out of the Chum Bucket.

SpongeBob wakes up to find that his house has been trashed after thinking he wants to play with a robot. He wanders through the house for a while and receives a fax from Mr. Krabs, stating that he would give SpongeBob a golden spatula for every certain amount of shiny objects he collects for him. Outside, SpongeBob finds a disappointed Plankton, who weaves a tale of lies to the hero, claiming that the robots showed up out of nowhere and kicked him out. Fooled by the diminutive villain, SpongeBob embarks on a perilous quest to get rid of the robots and get Plankton back into the Chum Bucket, including bungee jumping, bubble blowing, and traveling through dreams amongst others.

PC Version

Opening: Plankton created a robot army to steal the krabby patty recipe, but he had it set to disobey mode, so the robots ignored Plankton's orders and attacked Bikini Bottom instead. Meanwhile, SpongeBob and Patrick are playing with toy robots and having a tea party with them too. When they see a shooting star, they wish that robots were people too. The next morning, the robots break into SpongeBob's house and vandalize it along with the rest of Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob and Patrick go into The Chum Bucket to see that Plankton was the one behind the robot invasion. Plankton admits that it was his fault and that the robots are not listening to him and the only way to control the robots is to set the switch to obey mode. Instead, Patrick fools around with the machine, playing with the obey switch, but he accidentally pulled off the obey switch, which turned off the machine and deprogramed the robots. Plankton tells them that that was his next idea. After SpongeBob and Patrick head out, Plankton tries to tell them that he will be back with another plan.

GBA Version

Opening: Plankton created an army of robots to steal the krabby patty formula, but the duplicatron was set to disobey, so the robots ignored Plankton and attacked Bikini Bottom. The next morning, SpongeBob and friends saw robots invading Bikini Bottom, which Mr. Krabs thinks is putting him out of business, so his assignment for SpongeBob is to fight the robots to get into The Chum Bucket to shut down Plankton's duplicatron.

Reception

Battle for Bikini Bottom is currently the most successful SpongeBob game produced. It received a 4.5 out of 5 from Official PlayStation Magazine. It has won numerous awards, including the Kid's Choice Award for Best Video Game of the Year, and entered the Player's Choice, Platinum Hits, and Greatest Hits for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 respectively.

References

When Patrick Star throws watermelons and freeze fruits, it's similar to how Melon-pults and Winter Melons lob their watermelons in Plants vs. Zombies. On the front cover of the game SpongeBob wears a helmet that is similar to Gatling Pea's helmet. Plankton said bad word no. 11, from the season 2 episode, Sailor Mouth, in the PC version.

External links

• SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom at IMDb
• Official Website