SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom

 Xbox
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 41
  3. Negative: 2 out of 41
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  1. joeygamer
    Mar 5, 2014
    9
    This is without a doubt one of my most favorite video games I have ever played! The game is challenging, adventurous, and pretty long, all of which I like. Now many people might think it's a kid game because it is a spongebob game, but let me tell you, this is truly a game for all ages. In terms of pure enjoyment, this may be my #1 spot.
  2. JohnK.
    Jan 13, 2004
    10
    This is truly a fun game, no matter your age! Don't let the mixed reviews fool you-- this game is good. If you liked games like Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc...(back in the day of course), then you will enjoy this game. Lots of fun colorful environments to explore, and it won't drive you crazy trying to figure everything out. Don't get me wrong, the game is plenty This is truly a fun game, no matter your age! Don't let the mixed reviews fool you-- this game is good. If you liked games like Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc...(back in the day of course), then you will enjoy this game. Lots of fun colorful environments to explore, and it won't drive you crazy trying to figure everything out. Don't get me wrong, the game is plenty challenging, but you can usually figure out what you need to do relatively quicky. In any event, I highly recommend this game! Great for kids and adults alike, especially if you enjoy the cartoon's humor (which you will see throughout the game)!… Expand
  3. EpicLadySponge
    Feb 2, 2017
    9
    It's the SpongeBob SquarePants equivalent to big-time favorable games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie and feels like you're watching a combined total of five episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants from its pre-movie era. Give this game a chance and you'll love it right away.
  4. shiftHey
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    I bought this game for rule 34 but instead i learned how to spongeglide past kids in goo lagoon and do the entirety of kelp forest backwards thank shift 10/10
  5. BluenHL
    Mar 10, 2017
    10
    Hey how ya doin', let me tell you about this game. Truly a masterpiece. Took me quite a while to get the hang of cruise boosting, but once I got it down I was completely enthralled. The first time I actually did it I was all like Whoa, I'm quick. Nothing gives me quite the rush like hitting a perfect oil skip in the beginning of Dream, or flawlessly executing the hammer skip on my firstHey how ya doin', let me tell you about this game. Truly a masterpiece. Took me quite a while to get the hang of cruise boosting, but once I got it down I was completely enthralled. The first time I actually did it I was all like Whoa, I'm quick. Nothing gives me quite the rush like hitting a perfect oil skip in the beginning of Dream, or flawlessly executing the hammer skip on my first try. Don't even get me started on the reverse cruise boost. This game is truly a work of art, 10/10 would skip the final boss again.… Expand
  6. NickG.
    Jan 2, 2004
    6
    This game is fun, and challenging, but at times, too challenging.
  7. KeeganM.
    Aug 11, 2006
    10
    This game is exellent especially for people who like challenging games!
  8. CaseyB.
    Nov 30, 2003
    7
    I felt that this game was quite enjoyable and It is like playing in the cartoon series. Only problem was that there was not much interaction with other characters. Good game to buy.
  9. MattS.
    Dec 26, 2003
    10
    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
  10. AJ_antipop
    Jan 24, 2018
    8
    Without all of the crazy bias I inherently have towards this game it would probably get a solid 6.5~7.0. I really hate to be the voice of (semi?) criticism here, but let's face it; This ain't much more than a well-made Jak and Daxter / Banjo and Kazooie clone, but with all of the (mostly) phenomenal writing and voice-work, there's the added bonus of simulating an actual Spongebob episodeWithout all of the crazy bias I inherently have towards this game it would probably get a solid 6.5~7.0. I really hate to be the voice of (semi?) criticism here, but let's face it; This ain't much more than a well-made Jak and Daxter / Banjo and Kazooie clone, but with all of the (mostly) phenomenal writing and voice-work, there's the added bonus of simulating an actual Spongebob episode or feature program, with fun, semi-complex but mostly easy platforming and goofy, colorful visuals (which match the show near-flawlessly, by the way) to boot! Oh, and let's not forget the main reason why this game's user score is so high: NOSTALGIA, which is a category I certainly fall into. Despite seeing where the somewhat mixed reception's point lies, I still absolutely love this game, and am about to go play it again. :B… Expand
  11. CipherCraft618
    Dec 13, 2015
    10
    WOW. Ligetimetly, just wow. First and foremost, this is a extreme blast to the past for me from my childhood, but all nostalgia aside, this is still a realy good game! Even if you don't like SpongeBob, or if you've never even watched it, it's still and extremely good platformer. The gameplay and controls are solid, the soundtrack is fitting to each level and catchy as all heck, andWOW. Ligetimetly, just wow. First and foremost, this is a extreme blast to the past for me from my childhood, but all nostalgia aside, this is still a realy good game! Even if you don't like SpongeBob, or if you've never even watched it, it's still and extremely good platformer. The gameplay and controls are solid, the soundtrack is fitting to each level and catchy as all heck, and contains many references to the show. I highly recomend this game to anyone and everyone, SpongeBob fan or not.… Expand
  12. CriticNamedZack
    May 22, 2019
    8
    Story: Plankton has built a new machine called the Duplicatotron 3000 to produce an army of robots to use to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula. After creating them, he realizes that the switch on the Duplicatotron has accidentally been set to "Don't Obey" and the robots quickly kick him out of the Chum Bucket and start wreaking havoc all over Bikini Bottom...

    Pros: • Not much to be    Story: Plankton has built a new machine called the Duplicatotron 3000 to produce an army of robots to use to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula. After creating them, he realizes that the switch on the Duplicatotron has accidentally been set to "Don't Obey" and the robots quickly kick him out of the Chum Bucket and start wreaking havoc all over Bikini Bottom...

    Pros:
    • Not much to be said about the story of this game really. It's suitable for Spongebob, it's simple and it's a nice little story for this game. Nothing amazing, but good.

    Gameplay: The game is a 3D platformer that has you collecting items such as Golden Spatulas, Shiny Objects and Lost Socks. You can play as three different characters from the show, mainly as Spongebob, while switching to either Patrick or Sandy depending on the level your playing with each of them having their own unique abilities.

    Pro:
    • This game has many excellent references and Easter eggs to Seasons 1-3 of Spongebob. If your a fan of the show you will enjoy finding them
    • The level design is pretty damn good for the most part in the levels (With one exception). They do a really good job representing the different areas of the show present in the levels of this game.
    • Spongebob, Sandy and Patrick are all really fun to play as with their special abilities and come in quite useful when needed.
    • Boss fights are well-made and offer a decent challenge. The last boss was especially enjoyable.
    • The gameplay as whole is solid for a 3D platformer. It's not too easy or too hard, but just in the middle (maybe leaning slightly towards the easy side if you don't go for 100%).
    • Getting 100% does give you a reward at the end which is a bonus. Nothing amazing, but nice that they have one.

    Cons:
    • The one level that really lacks in quality compared to the other levels is Kelp Forest. It's really dark, very messy in design and feels rushed compared to the other levels.
    • The knockback from getting hit by enemies can be very harsh which could send you flying to your doom in sporadic fashion.
    • No real punishment for death once again. Usually just sent back to a checkpoint or even a bit ahead checkpoint depending where you died.
    • If you don't go for 100%, this game can be really easy. Only thing that will most likely kill you is failing a jump and not the enemies your fighting along the way.

    Sound and Music:

    Pros:
    •The soundtrack is fantastic in this game. It manages to capture each areas environment, feeling, vibe and what action the player is currently doing very well, while also sounding like it fits into Spongebob.
    • The vast majority of the voice actors return to voice their characters and for the most part it's done as good as the shows standards.
    • Decent sound Ftx.

    Cons:
    • The voice actors for Mr. Krabs and Mermaid Man are not present unfortunately so someone else had to voice both characters. As much as I can appreciate the voice actor for his efforts to try and make them both feel present in the game by attempting to do both characters' voices. Sadly, both sound really bad and that's a shame. It's made even worse by the fact that both Mr. Krabs and Mermaid Man say a lot of dialogue in this game.

    Performance and Visuals:

    Pros:
    • This game looks really good for a 2003 game. The colours look really nice and bright and the textures are pretty good too.
    • The frame rate was always steady and only had one instance of slowdown throughout the entire game and it was extremely minor. Added to the fact loading screens are very quick as well.

    Cons:
    • Had a glitch where my sky would turn weird colours like a beach ball, but I think this was just something to do with my copy of the game.
    • For some reason, Mrs. Puff constantly shakes like she drank six cups of coffee. Just strange how it happens.
    • I think for trying to convert 2D models of the characters into 3D they do an okay job. But they still seem off and Mr. Krabs especially looks really bad.

    Verdict: Overall, the developers took influences from both past 3D platformers and Seasons 1-3 of Spongebob Squarepants and managed to create a really good game. It's nothing that's never been done before, but uses Spongebob and it's world to create a classic 3d platformer and one of the greatest Spongebob games made to this day.

    Story: 8/10
    Gameplay: 8/10
    Sound and Music: 9/10
    Performance and Visuals: 8.5/10
    Overall Rating: 8.3/10    … Expand
  13. MasterRiley
    Jul 20, 2016
    10
    Battle for Bikini Bottom was my favourite game growing up. It is undeniably awesome. It has great gameplay, a decent story, an interesting and explorable world, lots to do, cool enemies and bosses, and so much more. One of the few games I have beat 100%. It took me forever but I finally got all 100 golden spatulas!
  14. synslxys
    Mar 10, 2017
    7
    Only thought of ending it all twice during this game! Quality game! If you have an sponge addiction, and need some quality spongebox action, this is the game for you!
  15. GrimStomper
    Apr 23, 2019
    9
    You don't expect much from a licensed kids games. 99.9% of the time companies try to earn a quick buck and give some kid a cookie cutter game that is lifeless and dull. Fortunately, this game isn't part of that percentage. Heavy Iron Studios utilized the SpongeBob license to its fullest potential while staying true to its source material.
  16. Fuub97
    Apr 16, 2020
    10
    The most fun by far Spongebob video game. Great puzzles, levels and a memorable music.
  17. Skok0ff
    Jun 26, 2020
    10
    Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow
  18. Zaidx
    Jul 23, 2020
    10
    The best spongebob game ever and that's not from the nostalgia it's just a really really an amazing game
  19. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    Pretty fun for shovelware! Good amount of areas, lots of gameplay variety, interesting level design, they should be proud.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Xbox Game of 2003
30
#30 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
49
#49 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. GMR Magazine
    80
    Like Bob himself, this game holds its water and is, in fact, remarkably fun. [Jan 2004, p.86]
  2. Xbox Nation Magazine
    50
    Heavy Iron may not have been especially creative here, but at least it's stealing from the right places. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.100]
  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    80
    The facts remain: it's nicely crafted, fittingly visualized, and undeniably entertaining at times. [Jan 2004, p.74]
See all critic reviews »