SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most recognizable IPs in the world. So it’s no wonder there have been over 50 video games based on the goofy sponge. Unfortunately, the majority of them have been reviewed negatively. However, the higher-rated games are some of the standouts in the SpongeBob video games catalog.
Here’s our list of the best SpongeBob games ranked according to Metacritic scores.
iOS Game SpongeBob’s Super Bouncy Fun Time Leads the List of Best SpongeBob Games Ranked
Metacritic: 81
The most shocking game on this list may be the lone mobile title, SpongeBob’s Super Bouncy Fun Time. What’s more surprising is that the mobile title has the highest Metacritic score of any SpongeBob game.
It was released in an era post-Angry Birds, and that’s reflected in the gameplay. The objective is to clear all the jellyfish on the other side of the screen by shooting ammunition in an arch. Difficulty increases from level to level with added obstacles. Like most mobile titles, players can purchase add-ons to make gameplay easier.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PS2) is a Solid 3D Platformer
Metacritic: 75
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie video game was released in 2004, a couple of weeks before the animated film of the same name. The adaptation was Heavy Iron Studios’ follow-up to the beloved Battle for Bikini Bottom SpongeBob game. It was released to sixth-generation video game consoles in an era when licensed IP titles were still prevalent.
Like the movie, Plankton has stolen King Neptune’s crown, and SpongeBob has to find it to save Bikini Bottom. Stars from the film, like Scarlett Johansson and Jeffrey Tambor, reprise their roles in addition to the cartoon’s main voice cast.
The adventures occur over a series of platforming levels where the player controls either SpongeBob or Patrick. Level completion rewards the player with Goofy Goober Tokens used to upgrade abilities.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab (GameCube) Blends Different Types of Platforming Gameplay
Metacritic: 74
Creature from the Krusty Krab is about SpongeBob traveling across dreams: his own, Patrick’s, and Plankton’s. Dream levels feature the traditional SpongeBob 3D platformer gameplay while also adding flying and racing segments. Collecting items called Sleepy Seeds across dream levels unlocks the ability to play as Patrick and Plankton. Completing the game with each character will result in different endings.
While it may be one of the best SpongeBob games overall, Creature from the Krusty Krab is also the creepiest. Ed Roth, an artist specializing in illustrating unsettling creatures in automobiles, inspired some art in the game.
The Cosmic Shake (Switch, PC) is One of the Best SpongeBob Games
Metacritic: 72
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is the most modern title on this list of best SpongeBob games. It was developed by Purple Lamp Studios, the same team who developed the 2020 remaster of Battle for Bikini Bottom.
It sees the nautical hero jumping across the Bikini Bottom multiverse to save his friends. A balloon-shaped Patrick serves as SpongeBob’s Navi-like companion throughout the game.
It’s full of callbacks and references to classic SpongeBob episodes and Internet memes. These references, paired with writing and voice talent from the show, make The Cosmic Shake one of the best SpongeBob video game experiences.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (PS2, GameCube) has a Passionate Fanbase
Metacritic: 71
Battle for Bikini Bottom is a beloved game in the SpongeBob and speed-running community. It was the first entry in a long line of SpongeBob games to get 3D platforming and the Bikini Bottom experience right.
Plankton plans to steal the Krabby Patty formula by creating an army of robots in a storyline that could have been ripped from the cartoon. Unfortunately, his plan goes awry when the robots turn against him and destroy Bikini Bottom. It’s up to SpongeBob and his friends to save the town from a robot uprising. Playable characters are SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy. Players must collect Golden Spatulas and items called “Shiny Objects” to progress to other areas in the game.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman (GBA) Was Developed by Vicarious Visions
Metacritic: 71
Many of the early SpongeBob games saw releases on home and handheld consoles. In most cases, the handheld versions were completely different than their home console counterparts and developed by other studios. The Gameboy Advance version of SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman was developed by Vicarious Visions.
It borrows common platforming elements from popular 2D side-scrollers. SpongeBob collects gadgets across various levels that improve his abilities. Levels are based on familiar locations from the show, like Jellyfish Fields and Sandy’s Treedome.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated (Xbox One) Gives a Makeover to a Beloved Classic
Metacritic: 71
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated is a remaster of one of the best SpongeBob games. Its announcement surprised many, as not many licensed 3D platformers receive remakes. Purple Lamp Studios developed it, a team that had previously helped with porting Sea of Thieves to Steam.
Rehydrated features updated visuals, a multiplayer mode, and other content cut from the original 2003 game.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! on PC Has Completely Different Gameplay than the Console Version
Metacritic: 68
The console releases of SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! are similar to Mario Party and feature multiplayer mini-games. However, the higher-rated PC version has completely different point-and-click adventure gameplay.
As SpongeBob, you’re tasked with finding actors to star in the hit series The New Adventures of Mermaid and Barnacle Boy. Finding these actors, as well as props for the show, is where the pointing-and-clicking comes in. In addition, SpongeBob collects items to give to other characters to advance the story.
Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition is a Perfect Pairing
Metacritic: 68
Drawn to Life is a puzzle-platformer series released for the DS and Wii in the late 2000s. Players draw characters and other objects to be used in gameplay. SpongeBob collaborated with the series in 2008 with the release of Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition on DS.
It’s one of the best SpongeBob games for its uniqueness alone. It’s primarily based on the Frankendoodle episode from the cartoon, which has a similar premise to Drawn to Life. Players use the bottom screen to draw and create characters and weapons in 2D platforming levels.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Yellow Avenger (DS) Gives You Mermaid Man’s Powers
Metacritic: 67
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Yellow Avenger takes a lot of inspiration from the Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy episodes from the cartoon. He acquires Mermaid Man’s powers and has to defeat villains like Man Ray and the Atomic Flounder.
SpongeBob uses his superpower abilities to defeat enemies and get past obstacles in the side-scrolling platformer. In addition, the bottom screen of the DS is used to display character conversations in cutscenes, and SpongeBob’s ability has activated at any given time.
Wrapping Up
What do you think is the best SpongeBob game? Let us know in the comments below.
Interested in how other games rank in Metacritic scores? Read our list of the best Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox games ranked according to the aggregate score site.
