THQ Nordic releases SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide on PC, Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 18, 2025.
Synopsis
In their latest adventure, SpongeBob and Patrick will face King Neptune, the Flying Dutchman and a host of ghostly foes at the bottom of the sea. Combine their unique skills and save Bikini Bottom from total ghostification, complete with unique moves, platforming chaos and epic battles under the sea!
Review
Following the titular hero and his starfish friend Patrick, the duo have to pull together a ragtag team of Bikini’s Bottoms finest and worst to help save Bikini Bottom from the turf war of King Neptune and The Flying Dutchman who have kicked off after a disagreement in the Krabby Patty which has caused the lands to be split off from each other and ghosts the run freely.
The gimmick though is Spongebob and Patrick are stuck with one being a ghost and the other being physical. This forces you to swap between the two on the fly to use their unique skills, Spongebob with his bubbles and Patricks strange ability to burrow into the ground.
This game is a delightful throwback, calling back directly to the golden era of PS2 platformer collectathon games, where vibrant worlds, humorous dialogue, and the satisfying chime of a newly-acquired item were king. Fans of the recent Spongebob games and classic 3D platformers in general will get a kick out of this game.
Running mostly smoothly on the PlayStation 5, the worlds are lush, colorful, and completely faithful to the zany aesthetic of the TV show. The core of the game is to visit various locations which are thrown into chaos by the two titans fighting and bring some order back or collect something that will help you later. Whether you’re running through a snowy Jellyfish Fields or exploring the murky depths of King Neptune’s palace, the humour is continuous with various callbacks to previous gags from the show and even the movies (with a David Hasslehoff cameo on the paintings in the palace!). Hell, you even have a mission for one fish who is obsessed with chocolate. It is a classic collectathon though with jellyfish, televisions, endless coins and various other items, perfectly designed to scratch that completionist itch.
However, the game’s biggest strength—its accessibility—is also what prevents it from achieving a higher score. Due to its clear target audience (younger players and casual fans), Titans of the Tide offers virtually no real significant challenge beyond the time trial races that Larry the Lobster gives you. Combat is simple and forgiving, platforming sequences rarely demand precision, and even the boss fights feel more like celebratory set-pieces than genuine skill tests. For seasoned platformer enthusiasts looking for a deep, taxing experience, the difficulty level might feel too shallow, but hey, if you’re an old time Spongebob fan then you got the laughs to keep you entertained!
Ultimately, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a fantastic example of a well-polished, thoroughly enjoyable licensed game and a nostalgic boost for those who loved these platformers back in the days of PS2 and Gamecube. While it won’t push your gaming skills to their limit, it succeeds completely as a feel-good, entertaining adventure. It’s a nostalgic treat that delivers pure fun without the frustration.
Verdict
SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide is a charming, thoroughly entertaining adventure that proves there’s still plenty of life left in the humble platformer genre.
⭐⭐⭐.5
