SpongeBob SquarePants is one of Nickelodeon's biggest franchises, beloved by children everywhere since its debut in 1999. With a cast of unique marine— or very tenacious terrestrial, in Sandy's case— animals living out a life that constantly vacillates between the mundane and the outlandish, SpongeBob has well earned its place in the animation halls of fame.
Like any large franchise, it has spawned its fair share of spinoffs and adaptations, not the least of which are the video game tie-ins. Spanning genres from action to adventure to platformer to sports, the SpongeBob video games are packed with just as much wacky hijinks as the show. Here is where the long line of SpongeBob games started.
10 SpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost Spatula (Gameboy Color, 2001)
SpongeBob's video game debut has him undertaking a quest to recover the Flying Dutchman's Golden Spatula. A pixelated 2d side-scroller, the game utilizes a fun health mechanic befitting the absorbent, yellow, and porous protagonist.
When SpongeBob is hit by an enemy, his clothes fly off one by one; first a powerup jacket, then his pants, and finally his signature tighty-whities. Upon losing his underwear, SpongeBob is finally defeated.
9 SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Krabby Patty (Windows, 2001)
The first SpongeBob game for PC was a collection of minigames utilizing a branching story path depending on which side of the bed the player decides to wake up on.
On the Right Side, Plankton implements a plan to steal the infamous Krabby Patty Formula using a robotic duplicate of Mr. Krabs. On the Wrong Side, Plankton instead steals SpongeBob's pet Gary, holding him for ransom and extorting SpongeBob for those precious krabby patties.
8 SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge (PlayStation & Game Boy Advance, 2001)
The third installment in the SpongeBob video game franchise is a return to the platformer genre, this time broken up into five chapters. SpongeBob travels to Bikini Bottom's downtown, the center of the Earth, the prehistoric past, the town of Rock Bottom, and an industrial district within Bikini Bottom to collect items needed by the superhero sidekick Barnacle Boy.
A variety of upgrades and powerups are included as well, allowing SpongeBob to tackle any obstacle. The PS1 version in particular was very popular, selling over 1 million copies.
7 SpongeBob SquarePants: Employee Of The Month (Windows, 2002)
Employee of the Month is a point-and-click adventure game that follows SpongeBob in his endeavor to reach the theme park Neptune's Paradise after being awarded two tickets for his exceptional fry cook performance.
Nothing goes smoothly for him of course, and he is wrapped up in a convoluted mess involving magic rainstorms, angry bus drivers, and the Flying Dutchman himself. In true point-and-click fashion, he must collect a wide range of items to use in very specific situations to finally reach the theme park of his dreams.
6 SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman (PlayStation 2, GameCube & Game Advance, 2002)
The first properly 3D game in the SpongeBob series, Revenge of the Flying Dutchman has the player exploring different areas from the TV show to collect clues leading eventually to the buried treasure of the Flying Dutchman.
As in many adventure games of the era, SpongeBob must unlock a new ability to progress to the next area and can swap between these abilities to solve the challenges put before him. A 2D version was also released for the Gameboy Advance as well, with a similar story.
5 SpongeBob SquarePants: Collapse (Windows, 2003)
Marking the first instance of a SpongeBob game where the player does not directly control the titular sponge, Collapse is a sort of reverse-Tetris. The player is in a race against the clock to eliminate colored blocks by choosing groups to eliminate.
All the while, new rows of blocks are rising up from below. Jellyfish, anchors, and other thematically appropriate powerups and obstacles work their way into the grid as well. Probably would've been better as a mobile game, but SpongeBob would make his mobile debut with a different title...
4 Terrific SpongeBob Darts (Windows & Mobile, 2003)
The first SpongeBob game available for mobile phones and another incredibly simplistic installment, Darts is about one thing and one thing only; Throwing knives at SpongeBob.
As Squidward and Patrick look on with glee, SpongeBob is tied to a spinning wheel like a magician's assistant. The player is then prompted to hit targets arrayed around the wheel with knives, spears, and scythes, ideally without spearing the sponge. Despite the name, no darts are to be seen in the gameplay.
3 SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube & Windows, 2003)
One of the most beloved SpongeBob games of all time, Battle for Bikini Bottom was a return to the 3D world as SpongeBob and friends defend their town from an army of attacking robots. At its core, Battle for Bikini Bottom is a platformer and sees the player collecting currencies and collectibles to advance.
Patrick and Sandy are also playable in this game, each with their own abilities. Battle for Bikini Bottom remains a favorite among fans of the show and even saw a full remake for modern platforms in 2020.
2 SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends in Freeze Frame Frenzy (Gameboy Advance, 2004)
Alternatively titled Nicktoons: Freeze Frame Frenzy, this return to handheld platforms is a crossover event with other Nicktoons universes including those of Jimmy Neutron, The Fairly Odd Parents, and Rugrats.
The gameplay has the character snapping pictures to identify characters that do and do not belong in the scene, as well as other items to advance their score. Robots make a return as well, with each level containing a robotic version of a character from that world.
1 SpongeBob SquarePants Movin' With Friends (PlayStation 2, 2004)
Another overall Nicktoons game, Movin' With Friends required the PlayStation EyeToy to play. An early precursor to motion controls like the Xbox Kinect or the PlayStation Move, the EyeToy allowed players to control the game with just their bodies.
Movin' is a collection of minigames including bowling, burger-flipping, and driving. Players can also try out minigames with the characters from Fairly Odd Parents and Danny Phantom if the undersea adventures aren't enough.
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