The Battle for Bikini Bottom is back and as Spongebob we're out to save the day
Rose-tinted glasses can steer you a lot of different ways--one I've always found to be true is my love for video games that bring me great nostalgia. You'll always have your classic titles, like Sonic the Hedgehog--titles that still hold up through the test of time, play wonderfully, and are genuine fun. Two sides of the coin however: that same thing you remember as a child, might be a wildly disappointing pick today.
With recent moves to remaster classic franchises, like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, there's been a bit of a microscope against these rosy lenses. Of course, some seriously great success too! It's a clever way to make now grown up fans happily reach into their wallets, and I'm here every step of the way for it. SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated has now joined the ranks of these remade childhood favourites--sure to please new and older generations alike!
Built with shiny polish and that nice triple-A feel, Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated effortlessly falls into the best categories--a blast to play, looks great, feels great, and is genuinely fun. You play as Spongebob and his posse as they make an effort to save Bikini Bottom from the ever-nefarious Plankton (Typical Plankton!). Great voice over work makes every character come to life, and easily throws you back for some timeless Weenie Hut Jr. memories. There were no corners cut in the original in terms of story and plot--the same under the sea hijinks written in with a cheeky glint in its eye.
Honestly, it plays like a dream. Every character has their own special moves and ways of controlling, and every single one is more fun than the next. Platforming is your typical affair--feeling like all the best bits of games like Banjo-Kazooie rolled in as you make your way through multi-tiered levels. --And the levels! LOADS of them and packed to the hilt with a fantastic amount of variety and a generous pool of unlockables.
You can pick up Rehydrated for a few different reasons--nostalgia, having played the original and enjoyed that, being a standalone Spongebob fan, generally enjoying the feel of classic platforming games, wanting to find a nice game for the family or simply all of the above. It really does tick so many boxes and is worth every penny in its weight in content that I can't recommend it enough.
Not always do these remakes and remasters hold up against the originals--capturing the same lightning in a bottle that drives studios to revive them, but Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom seems to effortlessly do just that through and through. This title comes with an iron-clad stamp of approval on my end--great job, Purple Lamp Studios! Hopefully we'll continue to see some great titles in the revival genre that add up like Spongebob so wonderfully did!