It’s been a while since the last game in theSpongeBob SquarePantsfranchise came out on consoles. There were tons during the PS2 generation, but they were mostly middling platformers at best. That is except for 2003’sSpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottomwhich went above and beyond typical licensed-based games. The nostalgia was strong enough that it got a remaster in 2020.
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So, after years of waiting, how isSpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake? Reviews for it have been all over the place. To summarize, it’s not an amazing platformer, but it is competent in what it does. It could be better, and perhaps these ideas can help make the game more appealing.
6Fix The Audio And Controls
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shakeis not a technical nightmare, but there are things the developers could do to improve it. The audio is perhaps the biggest consistent glitch in the game. Characters will often stumble on their lines, but the scene goes on. The audio never quite catches up to what is going on.
This probably happens about a fourth of the time. Another thing that is a bit off is the controls. Pressing a button will not always result in SpongeBob obeying commands, but this happens less often than the audio glitch at least. It’s far from the tightest gameplay aSpongeBob SquarePantsgamehas seen.
5Add Autoplay
There are two types of cutscenes inSpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake. There are traditional cutscenes with slightly better animations than the in-game models. Then there are scenes where characters talk to each other with text bubbles. Even though the game is fully voiced, players have to hit a button to continue a conversation.
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This throws off the flow of these conversations which oftenhave funny quotesin them. The developers should add an autoplay feature to the dialogue like in other games. RPGs and anime games often have this feature andFire Emblem Engageis a recent example.
4Add Difficulties
There are no difficulty levels in the game to choose from. As this is based on a cartoon aimed primarily at kids, it was probably assumed by the developers that kids would buy this title. The gameplay then seems balanced toward a younger audience and is not that challenging.
This is technically a good idea, although some kids are phenomenal at games. That’s why the developers should add difficulties to the game. A new mode would present some challenges for those that wanta harder platformer. Admittedly, this is probably a change that would be too difficult to add post-release.
3Add A Photo Mode
A photo mode is a classic request from fans andSpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shakewould look great with one even though it is not the prettiest game on the market. It doesn’t even have a next-gen version to take advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Still, for what it is, the game is full of colors which helps emulate the look of the cartoon.
A photo mode would be great for kids to play around with especially those that areobsessed with memes. There is a photo mini-game in one of the worlds wherein SpongeBob does some of his classic meme poses like his weird chicken form. So, the idea is already there in the game technically.
2Add Co-Op
Unlike a lot of games, SpongeBob has a companion constantly by his side on this adventure. The ensuing incident where SpongeBob causes a rift to open up the multiverse turns Patrick into a small balloon. Patrick flies around SpongeBob like he is Navi fromThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, although he doesn’t have a lot of sound advice.
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He will occasionally bring players an extra health item, but that is it. It would be cool if the developers addeda co-op modewherein a second player could take control of Patrick. They could operate him like how the second player could operate the navigational marker in theSuper Mario Galaxygames. They could stun enemies and collect items for Mario. Patrick could do the same thing in co-op and perhaps even more depending on how ambitious the team feels.
1Add A Codex
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shakehas a lot of great references to the show, from classic lines to the aforementioned love of memes. Players can also unlock costumes through gameplay or purchase them via DLC. From SpongeBob’s take on Mermaid Man to his “Opposite Day” Squidward disguise, there are a lot of choices in the game. Not every player will get the jokes within which is fine. However, it would be thoughtful if a codex was added to the game.
This codex could allow players to look at character models as well as find out more information about the show like where jokes originated from. When players sail around on their pizza box, SpongeBob often talks about the Krusty Krab Pizza. This is not a normal item on the menu, but it was in the episode “Pizza Delivery.” A codex would add so much fan service to the game, which is admittedly already overflowing with it.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shakewas released on July 15, 2025, and is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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