SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is exactly the nostalgic platforming trip I didn’t know I needed. From the moment I bounced through Bikini Bottom, swapping between SpongeBob and Patrick, I was grinning like a little kid. It instantly reminded me of playing SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman as a youngling, bringing back that same sense of joyful chaos. The familiar locations, vibrant animation, and voice acting make it feel like stepping into the TV show.
Exploring levels like Jellyfish Fields, the Krusty Krab, and even Atlantis City was a blast, and the lighthearted dialogue between characters had me laughing like a kid again. The game clearly wears its joy on its sleeve, and I genuinely enjoyed every minute. For reference, I played on PC with a controller, which is how I usually enjoy platformers.
That said, while the experience is consistently fun, the platforming can start to feel a little repetitive, and the challenge never really ramps up. But if you’re looking for a laid-back, charming adventure to indulge your inner child, Titans of the Tide is absolutely worth the dive, and here’s why.
A splash of childhood fun
The best thing about SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is its power to bring out your inner child. The loading screen alone transported me back to those mornings spent watching the show before school. The music, animation, and character design all perfectly capture that sense of childhood, and the game succeeds brilliantly because of it.
The game starts, naturally, in the Krusty Krab, where SpongeBob begins his shift by cleaning tables with a slap (yes, really). Mr. Krab heckles SpongeBob about prepping the restaurant as a crowd of hungry customers pounds on the door before opening, and Squidward does what he's best at: complaining. It’s a quick introduction that gets you used to the mechanics and basic platforming before the story kicks off, when King Neptune and the Flying Dutchman get into some serious beef.
Soon enough, their feud spirals out of control, throwing SpongeBob, Patrick, and their friends into ghostly undersea chaos. You can switch between the two heroes (one becomes a ghost while you play the other), combining their unique grappling and kicking skills to restore Bikini Bottom across iconic locales like Neptune’s Palace and Mount Bikini, all while battling spectral bosses and having a blast.
Considering this is SpongeBob, expect nothing serious other than a lighthearted story that leans more on nostalgia than originality. The game uses a stylized cartoon look that’s very faithful to the TV show, but enhanced with modern graphics. On top of that, it features full voice acting from the original cast, which massively boosts nostalgia and makes the cutscenes feel like lost episodes come to life.
However, some players may need to tweak the audio settings depending on how they’re playing. The sound effects (like SpongeBob’s squeaky shoes or the punchy jumping noises) can be surprisingly loud, especially through a headset. Using a headset or lowering the SFX volume can make for a more balanced and comfortable experience without losing the game’s playful charm.
Overall, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide succeeds at what it set out to do: deliver a charming experience that transports you back to your childhood. For younger audiences, it introduces a colorful world full of quirky characters and a playthrough that prioritizes fun and entertainment over challenge.
When platforming plays it safe
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide delivers a charming platforming experience, but when it comes to challenge, it largely plays it safe. The game equips you with familiar platforming mechanics: both SpongeBob and Patrick can double jump and glide from heights — Patrick using his flowery bottoms and SpongeBob holding onto a pizza box.
Patrick can also burrow under sand and lift heavier objects, like explosives and wooden boxes for jumping on, while SpongeBob excels at karate-kicking doors and bouncing off balloons to reach higher areas. These abilities mix well with the level design, but rarely demand mastery, keeping the gameplay approachable but predictable. You also start each level with four lives, and if you lose one, you can collect extra lives by grabbing underpants trapped in bubbles: lose all your lives, and you’ll be sent back to the start of the current checkpoint.
Most of the platforming revolves around navigating locations splattered with ghostly green goo and contending with bosses that either ram into you or throw bombs. While the game does sprinkle in puzzle-solving, these challenges are fairly light. In fact, it’s difficult to call them true puzzles. Personally, I found Patrick’s skillset often felt more suited to tackling these encounters, which subtly highlights how limited the other mechanics can feel in practice.
Still, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Each location is peppered with coins, which can be used to unlock outfits and customize the ship you travel around on, and mini side quests provide a chance to earn additional collectibles. You can even take a break from combat to catch jellyfish, adding variety to the gameplay. The surfboard is another welcome addition, letting you zip around areas and even bypass enemies entirely.
The problem is that these mechanics, while enjoyable, start to feel repetitive after a while. There’s little in the way of challenge progression since there’s no levels that really ramp up difficulty or force you to fully explore your abilities. As a result, some players may find themselves losing motivation once the novelty wears off.
Titans of the Tide is undeniably fun and packed with charm, but its platforming never truly surprises or tests you, leaving it as a lighthearted romp rather than a demanding adventure. For fans of SpongeBob or those after a laid-back platformer, that’s perfectly fine, but anyone seeking a serious challenge may find it lacking.
Sometimes fun is all you need
Overall, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is exactly the kind of game that reminds you why sometimes fun is all you need. I didn’t really encounter any technical issues during my playthrough — the only glitch I ran into was getting stuck while burrowing under a box full of coins. A few frantic button presses on my controller fixed it, and otherwise the game ran smoothly.
The platforming itself is approachable and straightforward, which makes the game perfect for all ages. While the lack of challenge might not have suited me personally, it’s ideal for casual sessions, letting you bounce through Bikini Bottom at your own pace without frustration. Collectibles, side quests, and optional activities like catching jellyfish give players things to do without ever feeling stressful.
What really carries the game, though, is its charm. The humor, character animations, and colorful visuals make even repetitive platforming enjoyable. The lighthearted tone turns it into a cheerful palate cleanser from more intense, high-stakes games. It’s the kind of game you can pick up to relax, smile, and just have a good time.
The only thing I could imagine improving would be a multiplayer option, which could add a fresh layer of fun for friends or family. Perhaps that’s something the developers will explore in the future. Either way, Titans of the Tide succeeds at being a joyful, accessible platformer, proving that sometimes, you don’t need challenge or complexity, just a good time in Bikini Bottom.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam), and Nintendo Switch 2.
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