SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
| Developer: Blitz Games | Publisher: THQ |
| Release Date: October 16, 2006 | Also On: None |
SpongeBob is among the most popular cartoons in the world, if not the most popular. As such, THQ has a tendency to release a slew of SpongeBob games across the systems annually. This year’s set goes by the subtitle of Creature from the Krusty Krab, and it takes place within environments which are dreamed by the three playable characters in the game. But, particularly considering the slew of other SpongeBob games out there for current-generation systems, is this year’s GBA version among the ones that are worth buying? Read on to find out.
Graphically, Creature from the Krusty Krab is competent. Granted, you’re not going to see awe-inspiring graphics from this game, but the look nice, and definitely have a Spongebob feel to them. Everything animates well, and there aren’t any areas where the graphics detract from the game in any way. Overall, the graphics could have looked better, but they certainly look good enough.
So far as sound is concerned, the music definitely has a Spongebob feel to it, so, even though it isn’t the most memorable music in the world, it is appropriate for the game and adds to the atmosphere of the game. The sound effects are workable, although nothing unconventional or innovative will really be seen in them. Also, the excellent voice-acting and hilarious cutscenes of the console version are nowhere to be found in this version. Granted, you’re not going to get cinematic cutscenes on the GBA, but a humorous one-liner here or there would have gone a long way, and I know that the GBA is capable of that.
In terms of gameplay, I suppose this game would probably be classified as a platformer, but there are so many different styles of play to be found here that I would hesitate to try to fit it into a single genre mold. Most of the gameplay types to be found in this game operate fairly well, although I question the wisdom of the control schemes to be found in a couple of them. Indeed, sometimes a level that would be reasonably easy is made more difficult by the control scheme, such as a couple of Spongebob’s plane levels which have you use right on the control pad to turn the nose down and left on the control pad to turn it up. Systems such as these are both counterintuitive and make the levels in which they’re used more difficult than they need to be.
Still, for the most part, the game isn’t overly difficult, although it isn’t a cakewalk either. And, more important than that, the game is entertaining to play. The game is also reasonably lengthy for a GBA platformer, which is also a plus. In terms of replay value, there are some arcade minigames that can be played if you find the arcade machines in the levels, so replay value is added there both through the need to look for the machines and through the minigames themselves. Granted, none of these minigames is particularly engaging or long lasting, but they are there and they are each worth at least a couple plays.
Overall, the GBA version of Creature from the Krusty Krab is a good game, but I don’t think it’s good enough that I’d recommend it over the console version. If the only systems you have are a GBA or a DS and you’re a Spongebob fan, it is certainly worth your consideration though, even over the DS version.
| Graphics: | 7 |
| Sound: | 7 |
| Gameplay: | 7 |
| Creativity: | 6 |
| Replay Value/Game Length: | 6 |
| Final: | 6.5 |
| Written by Martin | Review Guide |
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