The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

 Xbox
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

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  • Summary: Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown, and Mr. Krabs is the main suspect. Despite having been passed over for a promotion by Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob and his faithful (but dimwitted) friend Patrick volunteer to make the perilous journey to Shell City to retrieve the crown and save Mr. Krabs'Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown, and Mr. Krabs is the main suspect. Despite having been passed over for a promotion by Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob and his faithful (but dimwitted) friend Patrick volunteer to make the perilous journey to Shell City to retrieve the crown and save Mr. Krabs' life. Play as SpongeBob or Patrick as they interact with characters from the movie, earn "manliness" points to gain power-ups, and explore vast environments in the "Patty Wagon." … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    89
    Much more than a cheap commercialization; it's a meaty game that kids and some masochistic adults will enjoy endlessly. [Dec 2004, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. PGNx Media
    84
    A surprisingly solid platformer with variety, thanks to the complex combat, driving and additional challenges to recommend to platform fans.
  3. AceGamez
    80
    The Spongebob Squarepants Movie has impressed me so much that I'm almost embarrassed to admit it. There's loads of variety to keep anybody quiet for ages - it even kept me up, playing until the break of dawn!
    All this publication's reviews
  4. TeamXbox
    74
    While SpongeBob Squarepants: The Movie doesn't break any new ground and won't win any game of the year awards it is a solid single player game that will keep youngsters and maybe even people into their 20's busy for at least twelve hours.
  5. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    Exceedingly colorful, fun to play, and possessed of a great sense of humor, Movie both stands and delivers. It's some delicious sea food meant to be swallowed - whole. [Nov 2004, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Stuff
    70
    The irreverent, goofball sense of humor from the show is intact, which makes up for the sometimes iffy controls.
  7. Computer and Video Games
    60
    We've all got a soft spot for SpongeBob here at OXM towers (Ben T in particular), but our osmotic obsession can't mask the fact that this is a by-the-numbers platformer, albeit a charming one. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MasterRiley
    Jul 20, 2016
    9
    After playing Battle for Bikini Bottom I had to play this game, luckily it was created by the same developer and at the same level of quality.After playing Battle for Bikini Bottom I had to play this game, luckily it was created by the same developer and at the same level of quality. This game is undeniably awesome, one of my favourites as a kid. Its got great gameplay, a good story, great level design and world building, cool enemies and bosses, and lots of replay value.… Expand
  2. Nuclearpigman
    Jan 7, 2005
    9
    I thought it was real chalenging and i loved the different moves and upgrades.
  4. nanokiwi
    Mar 26, 2006
    9
    Since playing Space Panic and Lode Runner in the 1980s I cant say platformers are my thing - Im mostly an FPS fan. But I got this game having Since playing Space Panic and Lode Runner in the 1980s I cant say platformers are my thing - Im mostly an FPS fan. But I got this game having enjoyed the movie and cas i thought my 3 year old might get into it. Unlike other platformers in the past 25 years it got me hooked! I found it pretty challenging, but the controls are very responsive so I always felt if I kept going at it I would get better. Loved the minigames but boy were they demanding (do children really find this stuff easy?) Well having completed the game I can now say that I am indeed a goofy goober. . . highly recommended.… Expand
  5. EpicLadySponge
    Feb 2, 2017
    8
    The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie manages to slide its game before its movie counterpart to face numerous other licensed games of 2004 andThe SpongeBob SquarePants Movie manages to slide its game before its movie counterpart to face numerous other licensed games of 2004 and outmatch them all to even the results with its superior spiritual predecessor named Battle for Bikini Bottom.… Expand
  6. CriticNamedZack
    May 24, 2019
    7
    Story: The plot is very similar to the movie itself. King Neptune's crown has been stolen by Plankton and Spongebob and Patrick must retrieveStory: The plot is very similar to the movie itself. King Neptune's crown has been stolen by Plankton and Spongebob and Patrick must retrieve it from Shell City where Plankton sold the crown...

    Pros:
    • It follows the story of the movie quite closely, while adding new scenarios and getting them to fit into the plot. Overall I think they managed to tell the movies story well.

    Cons:
    • The picture cutscenes that progress the plot however look very cheaply put together and some even look awkward. I know the time to make this game was quite short, but I think these cutscenes would have been so much better animated (go into more detail about that later)

    Gameplay: The gameplay is similar to that from the last game, Battle for Bikini Bottom (BFBB) since it's made by Heavy Iron again. You play as and switch between Spongebob and Patrick with both having different abilities and skills. You collect Goofy Goober Tokens (golden spatulas in BFBB), weighs (Shiny Objects) and Treasure Chests (Socks but better).

    Pros:
    • The upgrade system from collecting weighs that allows you to upgrade character abilities and health is a really neat addition which makes Spongebob and Patrick more interesting in combat, while also needed when this game gets more harder. The rate you get weighs as well is well-balanced and you only get all the upgrades right near the end of the game which is great pacing.
    • I like the diversity in the gameplay on how it switches from platforming, to sliding levels like in BFBB, to boss fights and even driving the Paddy Wagon from the movie.
    • This game is also pretty challenging the further into it you get. Sometimes it feels a bit unfair at times, but for the most part this was more of a challenge then BFBB.
    • The Treasure Chests are good collectables with many unlockable features such as costumes, audio lines, concept art etc.
    • I think considering that Heavy Iron had to create much more detail and design in the levels from at times just a single scene from the movie is really impressive while managing to create a few new ones.
    • This game has a 100% reward which I always find that as a bonus. Nothing amazing, just a nice touch.

    Cons:
    • As much as I like the changing gameplay, I really don't like the Paddy Wagon levels. It controls really badly and is just not fun to use. It's made worse when your doing the time and ring challenges and 4 out of the 18 levels are Paddy Wagon...
    • I like the combat, but sometimes I had some bizarre hit detection. Mainly from trying to deflect enemies projectiles or enemies hitting me in off angles.
    • It also has to be said that this game takes a lot of assets from BFBB. This may not bother you at all or some of you might find it lazy. But regardless, it has to be mentioned.
    • Bosses are very easy for the most part and don't offer any challenge. The exception is the last boss fight which is actually very challenging and really cranks it up which I did like that fight. But the rest were too simple
    • The levels are not as open so exploring them to find more details is not so great this time around.
    • This game relies on backtracking way too much, which wasn't an issue in BFBB.

    Sound and Music:

    Pros:
    . • The voice acting is well done. Most actors from the movie are present and all of them are pretty solid. Sadly Dennis and David Hasselhoff didn't reprice their characters, but the replacements are actually great so I can't really feel that disappointed.
    • The music is pretty good once again, though not the same standard as BFBB. Some tracks are just ok, but the majority of them sound really good, especially the more rock based ones.

    Cons:
    • Some lines of dialogue seem a little rushed. Always in the cutscenes as well.

    Performance and Graphics:

    Pros:
    • Graphics almost exactly like BFBB and that's a really good thing and not surprising since a lot of the models and textures from BFBB are used in this game.
    • The game also ran in 60 FPS the whole time with no issues or slowdowns whatsoever.

    Cons:
    • Wish the game had more in-game cutscenes. The ones we have are not perfect, however they are much better then the picture cutscenes.

    Verdict: I have to say I like this game more then the movie itself. I think it lacks a bit of polish like BFBB had which does show it certain parts of the game. It's still a good and worthwhile 3d Platformer and Heavy Iron did a good job considering how much pressure they were under to make this game, I would just expect a bit of frustration with some parts and elements of this game.

    Story: 8/10
    Gameplay: 7.5/10
    Sound/Music: 8.5/10
    Performance/Graphics: 9/10
    Overall Rating: 7.9/10    … Expand
  7. JasonK.
    Nov 7, 2004
    6
    Too hard for younger children (who is this game for, anyway?) - the challenge boards are infuriatingly hard and don't allow for even the Too hard for younger children (who is this game for, anyway?) - the challenge boards are infuriatingly hard and don't allow for even the SLIGHTEST misstep, or you are starting over from the very beginning.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Xbox Game of 2004
82
#82 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2004
10
#10 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2004