SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis Review

SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePantis

Publisher: THQ Developer: Altron Platform: DS Players: 1 Release: 2007 Genre: 3D Platformer / Adventure Rating: 8.1 \ 10.0: Great

Video games based on kids shows, whether adults enjoy them or not, usually range in quality from mediocre to complete garbage, but this game. Based on the episode of the same name in the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon series, it (unsuprisingly) has an odd plot— SpongeBob is blowing bubbles with his best friend, Patrick Star, when he blows a bubble so big it traps them inside, and it floats inside a cave and pops when it touches a sharp golden object. The duo brings it to a museum and discovers it’s half of the Atlantis Amulet. When the two halves are joined, it summons a bus that takes SpongeBob, Patrick, and his other friends, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles, and Mr. Eugene Krabs, who’s also SpongeBob’s money-loving boss, to Atlantis. Each character has a small move set— the abilities to jump and attack. Each playable character also has a special attack that you can charge up by holding X. SpongeBob can blow bubbles that deal damage to enemies; Patrick vibrates and becomes colorful when X is held down and slams down to the ground, causing a massive explosion when the button’s released; Sandy can do an explosive karate kick that breaks destroys large objects; and Mr. Krabs can dig up Melody Shells, the games main collectible. The stages are a bit difficult and rather lengthy, and the boss fights are tough, and some of the occasional minigames can prove tedious, but I still recommend this game. It's surprisingly enjoyable for a licensed title, and it can appeal to gamers who aren't fans of the cartoon.

ESRB: E Content: Mild Cartoon Violence Price: $19.99 (Retail)