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{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{About|the 2003 video game|the remake|SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
| title = SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
| title = SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
| image = BattleForBikiniBottom.jpg
| image = BattleForBikiniBottom.jpg
| alt = Box art
| caption = North American Nintendo 64 box art
| caption = North American cover art
| developer = [[Rare (company)|Rare]]{{Efn|name=XboxCredits|The Xbox 360 version was developed by [[4J Studios]]}}
| publisher = {{ubl|[[Nintendo]] {{small|(N64)}}|[[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]] {{small|(X360)}}}}
| developer = {{ubl|[[Heavy Iron Studios]]|AWE Games (PC)|[[Vicarious Visions]] (GBA)}}
| publisher = [[THQ]]
| director = {{ubl|[[Gregg Mayles]]|George Andreas}}
| director = Shiraz Akmal
| producer = [[Tim and Chris Stamper]]
| designer = Gregg Mayles
| producer = Kristian Davila
| programmer = Jason Hoerner
| programmer = {{ubl|Chris Sutherland|Paul Machacek|Graham Smith|Morten Broderson}}
| designer = Joel Goodsell
| artist = {{ubl|[[Steve Mayles]]|John Nash|Kevin Bayliss|Tim Stamper}}
| artist = Joffery Black
| composer = [[Grant Kirkhope]]
| composer = [[James S. Levine|Jimmy Levine]]<br />Robert Crew<br />Alex Wilkinson
| series = ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom]]''
| engine = [[RenderWare]]{{efn|Home console adaptation only.}}
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Nintendo 64]]|[[Xbox 360]]}}<!--DO NOT ADD SWITCH. It is only an emulation and not a port, so it should not be in the infobox.-->
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 31, 2003<ref name="USRelease">{{Cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/457/457047p1.html|title=Bikini Bottoms Off!|last=Scott|first=Jonathan|website=IGN|date=October 29, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040406053349/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/457/457047p1.html|archive-date=April 6, 2004|access-date=September 5, 2022}}</ref>|EU|November 28, 2003}}
| released = '''Nintendo 64'''{{Video game release|NA|29 June 1998|EU|17 July 1998}}'''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|WW|26 November 2008}}<!--DO NOT ADD SWITCH. It is only an emulation and not a port, so it should not be in the infobox.-->
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]], [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]], [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| series = ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants video games|SpongeBob SquarePants]]''
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Game Boy Advance]]|[[GameCube]]|[[PlayStation 2]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]}}
}}
}}
'''''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''''' is a [[Platform game|platform]] [[video game]] based on the [[Nickelodeon]] animated series ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'', developed by [[Heavy Iron Studios]] and published by [[THQ]] for the [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. Separate versions, developed by [[Vicarious Visions]] and AWE Games respectively, were released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Windows]]. While the versions released for consoles were 3D [[platform game]]s, the Windows version of the game is a mini-game compilation, and the Game Boy Advance version was a 2D platformer.


All versions of the game feature an original storyline, in which the player attempts to defend [[Bikini Bottom]] from an invasion of robots created by [[Plankton (SpongeBob SquarePants)|Plankton]] with a machine called the Duplicatotron 3000, playing as [[SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|SpongeBob]] in all versions, as well as [[Patrick Star|Patrick]] and [[Sandy Cheeks|Sandy]] in the console versions. The series' voice actors reprise their roles, with the exception of [[Clancy Brown]] as [[Mr. Krabs]] and [[Ernest Borgnine]] as [[Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy|Mermaid Man]], with both roles instead being voiced by [[Joe Whyte]]. The game was released on October 29, 2003,<ref name="USRelease"/> in North America and in Europe on November 28.
'''''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''''' is a 1998 [[platform game]] developed by [[Rare (company)|Rare]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Nintendo 64]]. Controlling the [[player character]]s, the bear [[Banjo & Kazooie|Banjo]] and the bird [[Banjo & Kazooie|Kazooie]], the player attempts to save Banjo's kidnapped sister Tooty from the witch Gruntilda. The player explores nine [[Nonlinear gameplay|nonlinear]] [[Level (video gaming)|worlds]] to gather items and progress. Using Banjo and Kazooie's traversal and combat abilities, they complete challenges such as solving [[Puzzle video game|puzzles]], jumping over obstacles, and defeating [[boss (video games)|bosses]].


''Battle for Bikini Bottom'' received mixed or average reviews according to [[Metacritic]]. ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' included the Game Boy Advance version on its list of top handheld video games of the 21st century. It was a commercial success. The game has gained a [[cult following]] and a large [[speedrun]]ning community presence.
Rare conceived ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' as a [[role-playing video game]], ''[[Project Dream|Dream]]'', for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] following the completion of ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' (1995). The 15-member team, led by [[Gregg Mayles]], transitioned development to the Nintendo 64 and retooled the game as a platformer after the role-playing format proved too complex. ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was inspired by ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (1996) and designed to appeal to a broad audience, similar to [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] films. [[Grant Kirkhope]] composed the soundtrack, the first in games to feature vertical remixing, where various sound layers fade in and out depending on the player's location.


A remake of the home console version, titled ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated]]'', was released on June 23, 2020. It was developed by [[Purple Lamp Studios]] and published by [[THQ Nordic]] for [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and Microsoft Windows. It includes an all-new multiplayer mode and cut content from the original game.
Released in North America in late June 1998 and in Europe the following month, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' sold over three million copies, making it one of the [[List of best-selling Nintendo 64 video games|bestselling Nintendo 64 games]]. It received acclaim from critics, who said it surpassed ''Super Mario 64'' as the best 3D platform and adventure game. They praised the visuals, soundtrack, characters, writing, humour, and level design, but criticised the lack of originality and the [[virtual camera system|camera]]. ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' received numerous year-end accolades, including two from the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]: Console Action Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Art/Graphics.

In retrospect, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' is considered one of Rare's best games and among the best Nintendo 64 games. It spawned [[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|a series]] which includes two sequels, ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated]]'' (2000) and ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Nuts & Bolts]]'' (2008), and two spin-offs, ''[[Grunty's Revenge]]'' (2003) and ''[[Banjo-Pilot]]'' (2005). Following [[Microsoft]]'s 2002 acquisition of Rare, [[4J Studios]] developed a [[porting|port]] for the [[Xbox 360]] in 2008, later included in the [[Xbox One]] compilation ''[[Rare Replay]]'' in 2015. It was released on the [[Nintendo Switch]] for [[List of Nintendo Switch Online games#Expansion Pack|Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack]] subscribers in 2022, marking its first rerelease on a Nintendo console.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
[[Image:BattleForBikiniBottomGooLagoon.JPG|thumb|left|250x200px|[[Patrick Star|Patrick]] in Goo Lagoon. An enemy G-Love robot can be seen in the background.]]
[[File:SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|Screenshot of the first world in the game, Mumbo's Mountain. Collecting musical notes grants the player access to new areas of the game's [[overworld]].]]
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' is a [[Single-player video game|single-player]] [[platform game]] where the player controls the titular protagonists, [[Banjo & Kazooie|an easy-going brown honey bear named Banjo and a troublemaking female red-crested "Breegull" Kazooie]], from a [[Virtual camera system|third-person]] perspective.<ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2017%20-%20july%201998%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Special Investigation: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|issue=17|date=July 1998|pages=32–39|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> Living in the region of Spiral Mountain, the two attempt to rescue Banjo's younger sister Tooty from the foul-tempered [[Witchcraft|witch]] Gruntilda, who creates and uses a machine to transfer an entity's beauty to another, which she intends to use with Tooty.<ref name="opening sequence" /><ref name="machine" /><ref name="kidnapping"/> The game features nine three-dimensional [[Level (video gaming)|worlds]] where the player must gather musical notes and [[jigsaw puzzle]] pieces, called Jiggies, to progress.<ref name="manual" /> It culminates to a trivia [[game show]] a la ''[[The Adventure Game]]'' hosted by Gruntilda, where to surpass a tite a question about the game has to be correctly answered or a challenge successfully completed, and a final boss fight with her.<ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation"/><ref name="Grunty must be defeated"/>


=== Home console versions ===
The player travels from one world to another through Gruntilda's Lair, a region that acts as the game's central [[overworld]]. Jiggies allow the player to complete jigsaw puzzles which open doors to new worlds, while musical notes are required to open doors to new sections of the overworld.<ref name="manual" /> There are a total of 100 jiggies to collect (ten in each world), all of which are needed to view the proper ending, and 900 notes (100 in each world).<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name = "EPDaily"/> The door with the highest amount of required notes is the one with 880, although 765 notes are needed to enter the final section.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> Like ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (1996), ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' is very open and allows the player to collect Jiggies and musical notes in a [[Nonlinear gameplay|nonlinear]] order.<ref name="NG magazine" /><ref name="IGN review" /> It is also possible to complete certain worlds out of order, assuming the player has enough Jiggies and musical notes to reach a world earlier than intended.<ref name="NG magazine" />
The core gameplay involves collecting items and defeating the robots which have attacked different areas in Bikini Bottom while crossing platforms and avoiding environmental hazards like spikes and flames. Some areas require different characters to beat, as each character has unique abilities. The player can control SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy. Switching characters in console versions require the player to find a Bus Stop, upon using which the current character will switch to another, and using it again will switch back to the previous character, giving the player an option of two characters in each level. The default character throughout the game is SpongeBob; Sandy and Patrick do not share any levels as playable characters.


The game is a 3D platform game, requiring players to collect three main types of items. 'Shiny Objects' are the game's currency and can be used to pay tolls within game areas or to buy golden spatulas from [[Mr. Krabs]].<ref name="GZR">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21512.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614073852/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21512.htm|archive-date=2008-06-14 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review|last=Bedigian|first=Louis|publisher=GameZone|date=2008-12-02 |access-date=2007-11-21}}</ref> 'Golden Spatulas' are used to grant access to new areas, being hidden throughout the game and can also be earned by completing tasks set by [[Squidward Tentacles]] and several other characters from the cartoon. Patrick's 'Socks' are also spread throughout the game and he will reward SpongeBob with a Golden Spatula in exchange for 10 of his socks. SpongeBob can also blow bubbles to form different shapes as special attacks/moves which can be used to advance further in the game, and can learn two new bubble moves from Bubble Buddy as the game progresses.<ref name="ign" />
Each world is composed of a number of challenges that involve solving [[Puzzle video game|puzzles]], jumping over obstacles, racing, playing a bonus game, gathering objects, and defeating opponents.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name="manual" /> Tasks include spelling words, helping lights get on a Christmas tree while protecting them from getting eaten, and looking for a pirate's gold.<ref name = "IGN review"/> The game features [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] elements, and the player must often interact with [[non-player character]]s and help them.<ref name="IGN review" /> It is also possible to increase Banjo and Kazooie's [[Health (gaming)|health]] bar by collecting empty honeycomb pieces (of which there are two in each world), and [[life (video games)|extra lives]] by obtaining Banjo statues.<ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation"/><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name="manual" />


Props are also included in the game. [[Trampoline]]s help the player bounce to further ledges or platforms, buttons activate certain things throughout the game, and pressure pads are like buttons; however, the effects of it are only active while the player stands on the pressure pad, or there is another object placed on top. Once whatever is holding down the pressure pad is removed, its effects of it are undone. There are also character-specific abilities, such as Sandy being able to swing from Texas hooks, SpongeBob being able to dive downward on a bungee hook, and Patrick's ability to pick up and throw [[melon]]s called "Throw Fruits" and ice cubes called "Freeze Fruits". Though some areas can be navigated by any character, several sections can only be completed with a specific character, due to each one having unique abilities. SpongeBob can create a bubble helmet for head-butting enemies. Patrick can throw objects at buttons, robots, and pressure pads, and can throw "Freeze Fruits" into the bodies of Goo to freeze them. Finally, Sandy can glide over large gaps and destroy enemies and objects with her lasso.
Banjo and Kazooie can perform many abilities, such as jumping, climbing, ground-pounding, swimming, flying, and rolling into enemies.<ref name="manual" /><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> The game has a total of 14 special moves, and some cannot be performed until conversing with Bottles the mole, who teaches them.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> The breegull and the bear have unique assets. For example, while swimming, Kazooie moves faster but also has a harder time turning directions than Banjo, who only swims when above ground.<ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "IGN review"/> Kazooie can perform the Talon Trot, where she runs faster and up slopes too steep for Banjo, the Beak Bomb, a long and fast hit towards something with her beak that she pulls off while flying, and either shoot blue eggs from the front or rear.<ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> In the middle of jumps or falls from great heights, Kazooie can use her wings to glide Banjo down at a slower speed for a few seconds.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> She can also fly and jump way higher than Banjo, but these moves can only be activated by standing on pads signifying them; pads with red feathers on them activate flying, green Shock Spring pads the extra jump height.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> Some abilities require specific items to be performed. For instance, red feathers allow Banjo and Kazooie to fly, while gold feathers protect them from damage.<ref name="manual" /> There are two types of collectible shoes that provide temporary abilities. The Turbo Trainer shoes provide a speed burst used to reach a destination on time, while [[Wellington boot]]s allows Kazooie to run on otherwise harmful ground, such as the piranha-filled waters in Bubblegloop Swamp and shifting sands in Gobi's Valley.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/>


=== Windows version ===
Additionally, found in each world are five small creatures called Jinjos that Gruntilda imprisoned and, upon collection of the entire world's population, grant the duo a Jiggy.<ref name="manual" /><ref name="training" /> For the camera, there are three choices of views and the ability to spin the camera around the player character.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> However, some areas fix the camera to one angle, which sometimes hides items out of view, requiring the player to choose a first-person perspective to see them.<ref name="MeriStation">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324122456/http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_analisis.php?id=1253&idj=127&pic=N64|archive-date=24 March 2008|url=http://www.meristation.com/v3/des_analisis.php?id=1253&idj=127&pic=N64|title=Mejor que el Super Mario 64? Creemos que si, ¿tú que opinas?|work=[[MeriStation]]|language=es|date=15 June 1998|access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref>
The Windows version features a series of mini-games and greatly differs from the console versions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811180543/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom|archive-date=August 11, 2018|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> In the game, SpongeBob's friends have been captured, and to free them, the player must play multiple games while collecting objects, including a [[game show]]-style trivia game where he must score 500 points to free the character from the cage. The player then takes control of the freed character in a game where the character locates more objects and battles the robots. Once all items are collected (money, magic shop items, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy's gadgets, SpongeBob's dressing clothes, and various pieces of a machine), SpongeBob must return the items to their rightful owners.


=== Game Boy Advance version ===
Banjo and Kazooie are also aided by Brentilda, who provides information about the witch needed to defeat her, and Mumbo Jumbo, a shaman who used to be Gruntilda's teacher.<ref name="AVault">{{cite web|last=Harding|first=Chris|date=November 8, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226200829/http://www.avault.com/consoles/reviews/n64/review_temp.asp?game=banjoe&page=1|url=http://www.avault.com/consoles/reviews/n64/review_temp.asp?game=banjoe&page=1|archive-date=February 26, 2000|title=''Banjo Kazooie''|website=[[Adrenaline Vault]]|access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> Mumbo Jumbo can use magical powers to transform them into several creatures. These include a [[termite]], an [[alligator]], a [[walrus]], a [[pumpkin]], and a [[honey bee]]. Creatures have their own abilities and allow the player to access otherwise inaccessible challenges, some of which are required to collect jiggies.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> Before a transformation process is allowed, the player must find a required number of "Mumbo Tokens" in the worlds.<ref name="Guide transformations" /> By finding a spell book called Cheato in the game's overworld, the player may also unlock secret codes that increase the capacity of Banjo and Kazooie's item inventory, such as the red feathers from 50 to 100 and the blue eggs from 100 to 200.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name="Guide secrets" />
The gameplay for the GBA version is much different as well, as it is a 2D platform game. Rather than being non-linear, like the home console versions, the GBA version is level-based, although still visits most of the locations from the home console versions. Combat is much more limited, done through blowing bubbles onto enemies to turn robots off or back on; robots cannot be permanently destroyed, as replacements will appear through a portal in their starting positions, so enemies are used to solving platforming challenges. SpongeBob can ride a seahorse named "[[My Pretty Seahorse|Mystery]]" on certain levels. Like other GBA games of its era, it uses a [[Password (video games)|password system]] rather than [[Saved game|saves]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cybernetresources.com/content/spongebobbattle.html|title=Cybernet Resources - (GBA) SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review|last=Beley|first=Christopher|website=CybernetResources.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119153427/http://www.cybernetresources.com/content/spongebobbattle.html|archive-date=2008-11-19|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>


==Development==
== Plot ==
===Origins===
=== Home console versions ===
In Bikini Bottom, Plankton, the evil genius owner of the [[Chum Bucket (SpongeBob SquarePants)|Chum Bucket]], has built a new machine called the Duplicatotron 3000 to produce an army of robots, which he plans to control to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula.<ref>{{cite video game|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|developer=[[Heavy Iron Studios]]|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=October 2003|quote='''Plankton''': Today's the big day. I have devised an ingenious plan to finally steal the Krabby Patty formula. If Bikini Bottom happens to get demolished in the process, oh well. With my brand new Duplicatotron 3000. I'll clone an army of robots that will wreak mayhem and destruction at my command. }}</ref> After creating them, he realizes that the switch on the Duplicatotron has accidentally been set to "Don't Obey". This leads the robots to seize control of the Chum Bucket out of Plankton and wreak havoc all over Bikini Bottom.<ref>{{cite video game|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|developer=[[Heavy Iron Studios]]|publisher=[[THQ]]|date=October 2003|quote='''Plankton''': Okay checklist complete throw on the switch. Welcome my perfectly obedient robot army. Hang on. I want to get a photo for my scrapbook... Hey. Hello? What do you think you're doing? Oh. No. No. No. Wait, wait, but i'm your master. I made you. No! No! My good China! }}</ref>
{{Main|Project Dream}}
The origins of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' can be traced back to ''[[Project Dream]]'',<ref name="GIProject"/> a cancelled video game developed by [[Rare (company)|Rare]]'s ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'' (1995) team for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Inspired by [[Tabletop role-playing games in Japan|Japanese role-playing games]] and [[LucasArts adventure games]], ''Dream'' was developed for 16 months and starred a boy who got into trouble with a group of pirates.<ref name="Revealed" /><ref name="RetroGamer" /> The game used Rare's Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) graphics technology, first used in ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1994), to an advanced level."<ref name="RetroGamer" /> It involved the layering of several sprites to provide depth, achieved with "hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of rendering equipment.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016">{{cite web|last=Stone|first=Tom|date=11 November 2016|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ex-rare-legend-chris-sutherland-gives-us-the-lowdown-on-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-and-yooka-laylee/|title=Ex-Rare legend Chris Sutherland gives us the lowdown on SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom and Yooka-Laylee|work=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref> As development progressed, the boy was considered by the developers to be generic; thus he was replaced by a rabbit for "two or three days," then a bear who wore a backpack, sneakers, and cap.<ref name="TheRinger"/> The bear eventually became Banjo.<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name="TheRinger"/>


Meanwhile, SpongeBob and Patrick are playing with toy robots and horses. SpongeBob and Patrick are bored with the toys and wish they could play with real robots. Patrick uses his "magic wishing shell", believing it will make their wish come true the following morning. SpongeBob wakes to find that his house has been trashed by real robots. He receives a [[fax]] from [[Mr. Krabs]], stating that he would give SpongeBob a Golden Spatula for every certain amount of Shiny Objects he collects for him. Shiny Objects must be collected to open or activate various tolls throughout the game. Outside, SpongeBob finds a disappointed Plankton, who lies and claims that the robots appeared suddenly and kicked him out. Plankton convinces SpongeBob to help him back into the Chum Bucket by embarking on a perilous quest to find golden spatulas and get rid of the robots, secretly intending to regain control of them once back inside.
Because the introduction of the [[Nintendo 64]] made the ACM technology obsolete, Rare decided to transition the development of the game to that console.<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name="Revealed" /> When this occurred, the Nintendo 64 was still known as the Ultra 64.<ref name="TheRinger"/> The console was also not powerful enough to generate the amount of sprites the ACM technology required, so the graphics were now run by a "pseudo-3D" engine.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/><ref name="TheRinger"/> The project proved to be too ambitious for the developers, who felt the game was not fun.<ref name="Revealed" /> More than a year into the project, out of desperation "like the end wasn't in sight," the project switched from ''Dream'' to a ''Donkey Kong Country''-esque [[2.5D]] side-scrolling platformer, with more depth and range of movement than a typical 2D platformer.<ref name="TheRinger"/> It was given the names ''2.5-D Banjo'' and ''Kazoo''.<ref name="TheRinger"/>


Every area in the game has a unique set of missions to collect Golden Spatulas including a main overarching mission. SpongeBob travels to Jellyfish Fields, where he finds that Squidward has been stung by jellyfish. He manages to defeat King Jellyfish in a battle and obtains some of his jelly for Squidward's stings. SpongeBob also helps [[Mrs. Puff]] by locating stolen steering wheels in Downtown Bikini Bottom, stolen paintings in Rock Bottom, and missing students in the Kelp Forest. King Neptune calls SpongeBob and Patrick to the Poseidome to defeat Robot Sandy. He then goes to the Mermalair, where he fights Prawn, one of [[Mermaid Man]]'s archenemies. He also helps Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy several other times throughout the game. Other quests include completing tasks for Larry the Lobster, his pet snail Gary, and the Flying Dutchman, in other areas like Goo Lagoon, Sand Mountain, and the Dutchman's Graveyard (where Sandy beats the Dutchman in a fight). Later, SpongeBob and Sandy save Squidward from Robot Patrick.
In the 2.5D game, Banjo would have collected fruits, the equivalent to musical notes in ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'', in five "fruit houses" named after the fruit in them: oranges, grapes, lemons, bananas, and cherries. Collecting jigsaw pieces would have also been done.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Ghoulyboy |number=623187536597356544 |date=20 July 2015 |title=#earlyBanjo was going to collect fruit on levels, not musical notes. He was also going to visit 5 'fruit houses'.|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> Similar to the barrels in ''Donkey Kong Country'', Banjo would have used balls from a variety of sports, such as a football, baseball, soccer ball, bowling ball, basketball, and a water-filled ballon, that could be powered up by a balloon inflator, football boot, football helmet, and baseball glove.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Ghoulyboy |number=623584011642929152 |date=21 July 2015 |title=#earlyBanjo used a variety of balls for the bear's abilities. Kazooie didn't exist at this point.|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> The enemy parts and hub map were also taken from the 1994 SNES platformer.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Ghoulyboy |number=624322024354091009 |date=23 July 2015 |title=#earlyBanjo had a lot of DKC influences, as seen in the 'borrowed' baddy ideas and level based hub world layout.|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>


SpongeBob then falls asleep, allowing him to enter his friends' dream worlds to search for more golden spatulas. After Plankton, SpongeBob, and his friends finally gain access to the Chum Bucket, they discover the gigantic Robot SpongeBob and learn that Plankton was responsible for making the robots. Plankton sets the switch on the Duplicatotron to "Obey" (by placing an Obey sign over the ''don't obey'' setting), only to find out Robot Plankton has been controlling the robots instead. Robot Plankton remarks to SpongeBob that he has interfered in his plans for the last time, simply stating “SpongeBob, meet SpongeBob”. SpongeBob attempts to disable Robot SpongeBob's brain from the inside while fending off frequent attacks from Robot Plankton. Upon succeeding, SpongeBob hopes that Plankton learned his "lesson". The Duplicatotron produces several more Robot Planktons, which begin arguing among themselves. The game ends after SpongeBob says that their work is not done, as there are still many robots running amok in the city.
Although the game was 3D, the sprites were flat and rendered from a perspective above them. They found executing this convincingly too complicated, such as when the camera angle shifted which would results in sprites interweaving.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> Two months into its 2.5D phase, Rare was presented by Nintendo a "really, really early" version of ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (1996), which exposed them to the perceived future direction it would take the video games market.<ref name="TheRinger"/> The genre was changed accordingly, a new 3D engine was built, and the aesthetic became focused on cuteness, requiring an alteration in Banjo's proportions (such as an increased head shape) and less tight shorts to match it.<ref name="TheRinger"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Garst|first=Aron|date=26 June 2019|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/he-always-needs-his-tight-shorts-the-character-designer-behind-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-talks-about-his-smash-debut/|title="He always needs his tight shorts!" - The character designer behind Banjo Kazooie talks about his Smash debut|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> As Sutherland described the philosophy of the shift in plans, "Although we had a lot less polygons, we could still imbue some character into the characters and the world, even though that left us with a much smaller polygon count."<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> However, much of the controls were the same.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Ghoulyboy |number=625023081711542272 |date=25 July 2015 |title=Here's the control system for #earlyBanjo; a lot of it stayed the same but some things changed or were removed.|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>


The game then cuts to The Spongeball Arena, where the player rolls around in ball form in a large arena, while the credits roll on the screen. If the player collects all 100 golden spatulas, the game ends with a special surprise cutscene of all the game's characters singing the theme song.
=== Staff and workflow ===
The team comprised both experienced and inexperienced people; some had been working at Rare for 10 years while others had never previously worked on a video game.<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 16" /> [[Gregg Mayles]] served as the head designer, Bayles' brother Steve "chief scribbler" and character designer, and Chris Sutherland head programmer.<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name = "73000Kotaku">{{cite web|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|date=23 June 2015|url=https://kotaku.com/thanks-to-73-000-supporters-theyre-making-a-successor-1713481654|title=Thanks To 73,000 Supporters, They're Making A Successor To ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''|work=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> Ed Bryan was also a character artist, specifically Mumbo Jumbo and the Jinjos, as well as animator and box cover artist. Bryan has not revealed much about the making of the cover art, other than Rare wanted him to "tell a story" with it.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|date=9 November 2019|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/11/feature_ed_bryan_the_man_behind_mumbo_jumbo_and_many_more_on_returning_to_the_games_industry_with_playtonic|title=Feature: Ed Bryan, The Man Behind Mumbo Jumbo And Many More, On Returning To The Games Industry With Playtonic|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> Kieran Connell was junior software engineer when the team said "the game had no chance of being completed on time," and Gavin Price joined as tester only a few months after receiving a demo of the game from ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/>


=== Game Boy Advance and Windows versions ===
Actual work on ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' started in March 1997 with a development team of 10 people.<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 16" /> As development progressed, the team grew to a total of 15 members, which included seven engineers, five artists, two designers and one musician.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> The development of the game took overall 17 months to complete after Rare discarded ''Project Dream'', the first two of these being spent experimenting with ''Dream''{{'}}s graphic technology.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Each staff member had a work week of at least 80 hours, a day lasting until three-to-five in the morning. Mayles and Bryan, in one week, attempted forty hours of normal time and 60 overtime hours for a total of 100 hours, Mayles admitting in 2022 to have worked 102 hours.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory">{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-rare-oral-history|title=The oral history of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, the N64 unlikiliest hit|website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]|year=2021|access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref> Sutherland reported one morning where the Stamper brothers threw stones at his house window, as well as provided a [[McDonald's]] meal, to get him to work.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> As part of Rare's late 1990s strategy of rewarding staff bonus royalties, the ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' staff was paid 50 cents per sold game in addition to their average salaries, higher than the 17-cent-per-cartridge amount of ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|Goldeneye 007]]'' (1997) but lower than the full-dollar-per-cartridge total of ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' (1999).<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/>
In the Windows game, SpongeBob and Patrick have a robot tea party with toy robots and SpongeBob wishes upon "the first falling clam" that robots "were people too". The next day, Bikini Bottom gets attacked by an army of robots. Patrick, Sandy, Gary, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs are captured by robots and locked inside cages. SpongeBob works his way through Bikini Bottom, the Flying Dutchman's Graveyard, the Kelp Forest, the Chum Bucket, and the Mermalair to locate his friends and various objects stolen by the robots. After all locations' games are played, a video is unlocked for the end of the game where SpongeBob and Patrick discover that Plankton was the one behind the robot invasion. Plankton admits that it was his fault and that the robots are not listening to him and the only way to control the robots is to set the switch to "obey" mode. Instead, Patrick fools around with the machine, accidentally pulling its obey switch off, which turns off the machine and deprograms the robots. After SpongeBob and Patrick leave, Plankton tries to tell them that he will be back with another plan.


The Game Boy Advance version is a 2D platform game with four chapters, each containing seven levels, all of which have their own unique puzzles. In the game, Mr. Krabs thinks the robot invasion is putting him out of business, so his assignment for SpongeBob is to fight the robots to get into the Chum Bucket to shut down Plankton's Duplicatron.
=== Design ===
Despite being praised by critics and gamers as an improved version of ''Super Mario 64'', ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was not intended by the team to simply be that.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> However, ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s 3D aspect was referenced heavily, as it was the only game similar to ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' that had been released, and Rare intended to combine it with the look of ''Donkey Kong Country''.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/><ref name="TheRinger"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 16" /> The developers appreciated the freedom of movement ''Super Mario 64'' provided, but analyzed it did not take enough advantage of it; instead, it centered on quick timing and reflexes required for most 2D platformers, which Mayles considered unsuitable for 3D games due to lesser accuracy of viewing distances.<ref name="TheRinger"/> A major reason for this was the camera of a 3D game. Sutherland described ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s camera as it and the player character attached to each other with a string, with the only movement being tilting when he moves around the front of the camera.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> He acknowledged the camera was probably coded that way to not adrift the player, but felt it occasionally got behind Mario and would do so even more in ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s significantly more complex geometry.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> For jumping sections, he also found it "fiddly" to have to press buttons just to orient the camera to see another platform.<ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> Thus, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s gameplay was mostly exploration and discovery instead of platforming.<ref name="TheRinger"/><ref name = "SutherlandinterviewNov112016"/> Rare also disliked ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s forcing of the player back into the hub world once they collect a star in the level, thinking that it hindered immersion.<ref name="TheRinger"/> This is why the player stays in a world after collecting a jiggy.<ref name="TheRinger"/>

For the collectibles, Mayles wanted ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' to differ from other games involving collecting, in that "rather than being just a shiny object, [the jiggy] was a shiny object that could actually be used for something."<ref name="RetroGamer" /> The jinjos, which Mayles found the game's dumbest collectable, were green-lit out of an idea Rare had since developing ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' (1994), a "hard-to-collect collectable" that chased away or camouflaged when the player was about to obtain it. However, they stood and whistle'd to the player character in the final product.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Other collectables, such as the eggs, feathers, notes and honey combs, were incorporated to contribute to the theme of the titular protagonists.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Difficulty balance was a major focus; for example, the musical notes were ultimately the only collectibles the player would lose if they died or exited a level.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/>

Rare decided to make an action-based game that focused totally on Banjo and his abilities, Kazooie later born out of the planning of them.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Mayles wanted Banjo to run really fast and have a double jump, but thought the bear looked strange doing it.<ref name = "RareReplaystream">{{cite video|url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/9189295|title=Rare Replay Rundown - Live From Rare HQ!|publisher=Official Xbox [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]|year=2015|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> According to Mayles, "We came up with the [...] idea that a pair of wings could appear from his backpack to help him perform a second jump. We also wanted Banjo to be able to run very fast when required [so] we added a pair of 'fast-running' legs that appeared from the bottom of the backpack. [And soon after] we came up with the logical conclusion that these could belong to another character, one that actually lived in Banjo's backpack."<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Furthermore, the backpack containing an animal also rationalized why Banjo walks slow.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> Kazooie was named after a [[kazoo]], which was considered an annoying instrument, "much like the personality of the bird" to Mayles,<ref name="RetroGamer" /> while the witch Gruntilda was inspired by Grotbags from the ''[[Grotbags]]'' British television series.<ref name="RetroGamer" />
=== Writing and humour ===
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was designed to appeal players of all ages in a similar vein to [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] films. According to Rare, "We wanted the characters to primarily appeal to a younger audience but, at the same time, give them enough humour and attitude not to discourage older players."<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 16" /> One major goal was for everything to have personality, down to the collectables, which includes items with eyes and eggs that bounce up and down.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> Another was its style of humour that distinguished it from other platform games, which Mayles described as "very dry, very typically British, slightly sarcastic, happy to poke fun at ourselves."<ref name = "TheRinger"/> All the characters, in particular, "basically had something wrong with them", Mayles explained.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' continues the trend of Rare games with characters titled "[name] the [animal/object]", the name of the animal or object occasionally rhyming with the name, for example Mumbo Jumbo.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/>

The developers wanted the game to be character-driven, and characters were conceived on the spot, sometimes in relation to design decisions. For example, Mumbo Jumbo originated simply as a way to include animal transformations and for character dynamics to exist between Banjo, Kazooie, and another; Banjo gets along with Mumbo, but Kazooie can not stand him.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> Some jiggies also require solving certain characters' "real world problems" in order to collect.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> Most of the dialogue was ad-libbed, and a challenge for the designers was to remember the personalities and mindsets of the characters while doing so.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/><ref name = "TheRinger"/> The environment of the development farm was dominated by the workers pulling off various pranks and gags on each other, such as playing a monkey sound [[Robin Beanland]] sampled very loudly, pulling each others' shorts down while being smacked in the face, and being called names such as "Winky Boy," "the Shine," and "the Judge." This bled into the style of humor of the final product.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> They tried to push the E rating of the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] with Kazooie's snark remarks, a few of them rejected.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/>

=== Rejected concepts and features ===
Rare originally planned to include a [[multiplayer]] mode and more worlds, such as a mine level, but these were not implemented due to time constraints; some were included in the sequel ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated]]'' (2000).<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name="Cancelled worlds" /><ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> Connell recalled encountering the team working on a four-player mode only three weeks before Nintendo's approval.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> Developers were also conflicted between each other whether to create sections where Banjo and Kazooie would be separate from one another, but they ultimately decided it would be "too much." This was another mechanic transferred to ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated''.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/>

One scrapped feature, "[[Stop 'N' Swop]]", would have allowed ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' to interact with ''[[Donkey Kong 64]]'' (1999), ''[[Jet Force Gemini]]'' (1999), ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated'', ''[[Perfect Dark]]'' (2000), and ''[[Conker's Bad Fur Day]]'' (2001).<ref name="EuroStopNSwop" /> During development, Rare discovered the Nintendo 64 retained [[flash memory]] for several seconds after a cartridge's removal. They implemented a feature whereby removing a cartridge and quickly inserting the ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' cartridge, while the other game's memory was still in the console, would unlock bonus content.<ref name="mtv-stop-n-swop"/> Nintendo requested Stop 'N' Swop's removal when Rare submitted ''Donkey Kong 64'' for approval. Nintendo was concerned the Nintendo 64 would not retain [[RDRAM]] long enough for the feature to work and that it could potentially damage consoles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wales |first1=Matt |title=Unearthed Nintendo missive reveals why SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom's infamous Stop 'N' Swop feature was ditched |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/unearthed-nintendo-missive-reveals-why-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottoms-infamous-stop-n-swop-feature-was-ditched |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=24 December 2022 |date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="EuroStopNSwop">{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Steven T. |title=Leaked Nintendo Memo Confirms Why Rare Cut Stop 'N' Swop From SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/leaked-nintendo-memo-confirms-why-rare-cut-stop-n-swop-from-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/1100-6486758/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=24 December 2022 |date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Specifically, Nintendo 64 models produced after ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'s}} release reduced the amount of time the console retained flash memory, making Stop 'N' Swop nearly impossible to activate as intended.<ref name="TheRinger"/>

Preview coverage from July and August 1997 revealed that Tooty was originally Banjo's girlfriend Piccolo, and that there were 16 levels accessed via jiggies instead of nine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Buday|first=John|date=8 May 2022|url=https://www.svg.com/854820/the-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-character-even-its-creator-hated/|title=The SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Character Even Its Creator Hated|website=[[SVG.com]]|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "NPpreAug97">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20099%20%28August%201997%29/page/n107/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|date=August 1997|volume=99|page=99|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "64magissue4"/> An animation that did not make the released game was named "cack bad egg", and depicts Kazooie pooping out a gassy rotten egg Banjo reacts to.<ref name = "NLife2018"/> Another rejected concept was another stage of the final boss, where Gruntilda turned Banjo into a frog.<ref name = "NLife2018"/>

=== Visuals and levels ===
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was developed on a [[Silicon Graphics]] workstation.<ref name = "N64SpaceWorldJan98"/> It employs an advanced technique to render its graphics. The in-game characters were created with minimal amounts of texturing so they could have a sharp and clean look, while the backgrounds use very large textures split into 64×64 pieces, which was the largest texture size the Nintendo 64 could render.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> A ''Nintendo Power'' preview also emphasized its exploitation of the console's [[Level of detail (computer graphics)|LOD]] management and [[anti-aliasing]].<ref name = "NPJul97">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20098%20%28July%201997%29/page/n57/mode/2up|title=Rare Gifts|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|date=July 1997|volume=98|page=54|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> The fact that the player could be transformed into small creatures was implemented to give some of the worlds a different sense of scale.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> A 2018 ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' feature discussed how the size and scope of the worlds took advantage of the limited memory and were significant in 3D video games at the time, citing the different seasons in Click Clock Wood, the organ section in Mad Monster Mansion, and Freezeezy Peak's size.<ref name = "NLife2018">{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Kyle|date=27 December 2018|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/12/feature_20_years_after_the_release_of_SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom_we_speak_to_the_guys_who_made_it|title=Feature: 20 Years After The Release Of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom, We Speak To The Guys Who Made It|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref>

Because the advanced graphics technique caused significant memory [[Fragmentation (computing)|fragmentation]] issues, the developers created a proprietary system that could "reshuffle" memory as players played through the game.<ref name="RetroGamer" /> More specifically, the programmers centered on [[Back-face culling|culling]] parts of the world that were not viewable from the perspective.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> Sutherland and Mayles have admitted in interviews that they do not perceive the practice as being commonplace in the Nintendo 64 library.<ref name="RetroGamer" /><ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> The designers began implementing this when designing Treasure Trove Cove, which is built around a massive rock structure.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> Mayles looks back fondly on the method, elaborating that an unintentional consequence was that they focused on hiding objects, which created mystery and intrigue, incentivizing the player to explore the environment to find them.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/><ref name = "TheRinger"/> The combination of the big shark Clanker and the player's interaction with him was noted by ''Nintendo Life'' as pushing the console, causing issues of [[frame rate]].<ref name = "NLife2018"/>

Although borrowing similar themes to ''Super Mario 64'', such as desert, ice, and haunted house, the worlds were intended to be "a lot more grounded in reality".<ref name = "TheRinger"/> The worlds were intended to be diverse in theme to give the player new experiences and emotions. Explained Mayles, what a player feels swimming in the water of an island is different from being at a haunted mansion.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> To conceive them, a theme was chosen first then all the traits and design choices, including the animal Mumbo would transform Banjo and Kazooie into, associated with it.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> His favorite stage was Rusty Bucket Bay for its design being mostly around a single ship and the extreme pace and difficulty of the ship's interior.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/> The incorporation of a trivia game at the end was a method of making ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' unique; the section was initially planned to only have a few questions for the player to ask, but became a massive board game in the end.<ref name = "RareReplaystream"/>

=== Audio ===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|width=200
| image1 = Grant Kirkhope.png
| caption1 = Grant Kirkhope in 2016. ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was his first time being solely responsible for the audio.
| image2 = Danny Elfman cropped.jpg
| total_width = 350
| caption2 = Danny Elfman in 2010. His score for ''[[Beetlejuice (1988 film)|Beetlejuice]]'' (1988) influenced how Kirkhope composed ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''.
}}
Music and sound effects were entirely done by [[Grant Kirkhope]]. Although ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was not his first project for Rare, as he previously converted [[David Wise (composer)|David Wise]]'s score for ''Diddy's Kong Quest'' to a [[Game Boy]] port and helped on ''[[GoldenEye 007 (1997 video game)|Goldeneye 007]]'' (1997), it was the first time he worked on all music and sound effects for a game.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/><ref name = "NME2021int">{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Andy|date=11 November 2021|url=https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/grant-kirkhope-on-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-re-jiggyed-and-soundtracking-childhoods-i-look-back-and-i-go-how-the-bloody-hell-did-that-happen-3087363|title=Grant Kirkhope on 'Banjo Kazooie Re-Jiggyed': "I look back and I go, how the bloody hell did that happen?"|work=[[NME]]|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> He conceived ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s musical style after listening to [[Danny Elfman]]'s score for ''[[Beetlejuice]]'' (1988). As he explained the philosophy, "I realized you can use really dark chords with dark harmonies, and as long as the rhythm's quite comical it’s not going to scare the kids".<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> The [[chord progression]] for Mad Monster Mansion was influenced by another Elfman score, [[Batman (score)|that of the 1989 film]] ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', specifically the chord progression for the titular character's moments in the cathedral.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|date=28 December 2021|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/quick-beats-grant-kirkhope-on-how-batman-inspired-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|title=Quick Beats: Grant Kirkhope On How Batman Inspired SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> The compositions feature several instances of [[tritone]] to reflect the contrasts between Banjo and Kazooie's character, something Kirkhope conceived when composing the music for Mumbo's Mountain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/grantkirkhope.shtml|title=Interview with Grant Kirkhope|date=May 2010|website=Square Enix Music Online|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>

''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' is significant for its introduction of vertical remixing to video games; various sound layers of the same composition fade in and out depending on which area the player has moved to, such as going from above ground to under water.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mraz|first=Ronny|date=1 November 2021|url=https://splice.com/blog/adaptive-music-video-games/|title=The history of adaptive music in video games|website=[[Splice (platform)|Splice]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> This came from Mayles commanding Kirkhope to got a step beyond the early 1990s LucasArts' [[iMUSE]], which faded between themes instead of sound layers.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> Animal sound effects are also occasionally instruments.<ref name = "GamesRadar2010music">{{cite web|last=Elson|first=Brett|date=15 December 2010|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/|title=Game music of the day: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

After ''Dream'' was disbanded, Rare was focused on getting ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' finished as much as possible.<ref name = "NLife2018"/> One way to do this was to reject ''Dream''{{'}}s pre-recorded speech and have the dialogue be presented in text; however, they still wanted the feeling of speech.<ref name = "NLife2018"/> As a comprise, all the characters have their voices executed via "mumbling", with text presenting dialogue. This choice was made to convey their personalities without them actually speaking, as Rare felt the actual speech "could ruin the player's perception of the characters."<ref name="RetroGamer" /> Some of the voices were performed by Sutherland, who voiced Edison in ''Dream''. Some of Edison's voice clips, such as "Guh-huh!", were re-used for Banjo.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/>

== Release and promotion ==
In June 1997, a working version of the game was shown at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]],<ref name="IGN-e3" /> where it was officially announced that ''Dream'' had become ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''.<ref name=GProE3/><ref name="EGM preview" /> The panel, for what was considered by ''[[64 (magazine)|64]]'' to be Nintendo's flagship game at the event,<ref name = "64magissue4"/> featured several big machines and sculptures, such as those for Banjo and Mumbo Jumbo.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> The Nintendo 64 games presented at E3 were lauded by ''Nintendo Power'' as "pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment, innovation, and intensity". ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was a major example, highlighting how its advanced technology created a Disney-esque "rich, animated world full of fun animals and great music", visuals containing "rich textures, creative lighting," and dynamic music.<ref name = "NPJul97"/> The reaction from gamers and critics towards the game was generally positive, ''[[64 (magazine)|64]]'' magazine predicting it to be "the biggest hit of the year."<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/><ref name="64magrev">{{cite magazine|last=McDermott|first=Andy|date=July 1998|url=https://archive.org/details/64-magazine-16/page/n25/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[64 (magazine)|64]]|issue=16|pages=26–37|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> However, it was also met with skepticism as a rip-off of ''Super Mario 64'' and overly cute, and despised its new name.<ref name = "64magrev"/><ref name="IGN review" /><ref name = "64magissue4"/> The gaming community was also mystified by some of its concepts, such as the usage of a bird-bear duo for a ''Super Mario 64''-esque genre, fart sound effects for speech, and Kazooie pooping out eggs as an attack.<ref name="IGN Top N64 games" />

The game was then presented at the [[Nintendo Space World#Space World|1997]] annual [[Nintendo Space World]] event, where the first five worlds were playable. Its panel had women that were dressed up as Banjo with shirts on.<ref name = "N64SpaceWorldJan98">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2011%20-%20january%201998%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n5/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: bouncing by with bird and big bear|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|date=January 1998|issue=11|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> ''N64 Magazine'' gave a glowing review of the panel, admitting it to be the event's most absorbing experience, even moreso than the [[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|''Zelda'' game that got the most attention from other gamers and journalists]]. They considered the worlds immersive due to its "graphical opulence," such as the "incredibly realistic ripples" on the water, and choice of environments "realistic" even considering the cartoony characters. They also positively commented on its implementation of the dual-character mechanic (particularly how certain sections require a specific character unlike other games).<ref name = "N64SpaceWorldJan98"/>

''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was initially scheduled for a release in November 1997, in the US 24 November,<ref name="IGN-delay" /><ref name=EGMdelay/><ref name = "64magissue4">{{cite magazine|last=McDermott|first=Andy|date=August 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/64-magazine-04/page/n79/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[64 (magazine)|64]]|issue=4|pages=80–81|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> but was delayed to give developers more time for polish.<ref name="GPro delay" /> When Rare met [[Nintendo of America]]'s [[Howard Lincoln]] at E3 1997, he was against a delay, complaining: "We've committed $20 million to this campaign".<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> To fill that year's Christmas schedule, Lincoln told Rare to include ''Donkey Kong'' characters in an ''[[R.C. Pro-Am]]'' game they were developing at the time, turning it into ''[[Diddy Kong Racing]]'' (1997).<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' called ''Diddy Kong Racing'' "something of a testing ground for Rare's [Nintendo 64]-era heroes", as it included Banjo and [[Conker the Squirrel|Conker]] as playable characters prior to featuring in their own games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Keza |title=Diddy Kong Racing |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/diddy-kong-racing-review |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=27 December 2022 |date=12 April 2007}}</ref> In the following months, Rare screenshots at such a rate that by May 1998, ''[[N64 Magazine]]'' suspected the game was completed besides testing.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2010%20-%20Christmas%201997%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n23/mode/2up?q=banjo|title=An ear to the ground|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|issue=10|date=December 1997|page=24|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "N64May98">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2015%20-%20may%201998%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n29/mode/2up?q=banjo&view=theater|title=Oi'm ready|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|date=May 1998|page=30|issue=15|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was released on 29 June 1998 in North America,<ref name="NP preview" /> 17 July 1998 in Europe,<ref name="UK release" /> and 6 December 1998 in Japan.<ref name="JP release" /> The Japan date was shifted multiple times, set to be released before other territories in January 1998 as of November 1997, and moved to April months later.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%208%20-%20november%201997%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n19/mode/2up?q=banjo|title=Eager 3D waiting|date=November 1997|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|issue=8|page=21|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "N64May98"/> The UK date was also set to 16 March 1998 as of Christmas 1997, before being moved to July two months later.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2012%20-%20february%201998%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/n15/mode/2up?q=banjo|title=The N64 games of 1998|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|date=February 1998|issue=12|page=14|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2010%20-%20Christmas%201997%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/2/mode/2up?q=banjo|title=Ultra Release List|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|date=Christmas 1997|issue=10|page=26|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> In Europe, the game was released in the summer, an active season for Nintendo 64 releases that followed a scarce period and included games of various genres, such as ''[[Quest 64]]'' (1998), ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' (1998), ''[[Off Road Challenge]]'' (1998), ''[[Dezaemon 3D]]'' (1998) and ''[[Virtual Chess 64]]'' (1998).<ref name="ConsolesPlus">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=51&num=3029&album=oui|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|language=fr|magazine=[[:fr:Consoles +|Consoles +]]|issue=74|date=August 1998|pages=74–81|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> It had a marketing budget of $10 million.<ref name="Marketing budget"/>

''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' performed well in both the UK and US.<ref name="IGN nintendo top" /><ref name="IGN banjo rules" /> [[Virgin Megastore]] reported that the game was topping the UK charts as of 21 September 1998.<ref name="IGN banjo rules" /> In Japan, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' entered ''Famitsu''{{'}}s Top 10 sales charts for the week ending 13 December 1998, selling 74,000 copies for a total of 117,399.<ref name="IGN famitsu charts" /> At the 1999 Milia festival in [[Cannes]], the game took home a "Gold" prize for revenues above €26 million in the [[European Union]] during 1998.<ref name="ECCSELL Awards" /> As of March 2003, the game had sold more than 405,000 units in Japan.<ref name="JP sales" /> As of December 2007, it had sold more than 1.8 million copies in the US.<ref name="US sales" /> As of 2021, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' worldwide sales were 3 million, making it the tenth highest-grossing Nintendo 64 game.<ref name = "Inverseoralhistory"/>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
<!-- Aggregators -->
| MC = 92/100<ref name="Metacritic" />
| GR = GBA: 64%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914963-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Game Boy Advance |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329070109/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914963-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |archive-date=2016-03-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />GC: 74%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/917567-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for GameCube |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035121/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/917567-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />PS2: 73%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/915339-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PlayStation 2 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329060826/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/915339-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |archive-date=2016-03-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />XBOX: 72%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914952-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Xbox |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329072011/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/914952-spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom/index.html |archive-date=2016-03-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Allgame={{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name = "Allgame"/>
| MC = GC: 71/100<ref name=MC-GC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for GameCube Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619233335/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |archive-date=2018-06-19 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />PS2: 71/100<ref name=MC-PS2>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PlayStation 2 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2014-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214230058/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |archive-date=2019-02-14 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />XBOX: 70/100<ref name=MC-XBOX>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Xbox Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2017-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127024925/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom |archive-date=2019-01-27 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|CP=96%<ref name="ConsolesPlus"/>
<!-- Reviewers -->
|CVG={{rating|5|5}}<ref name = "CVGrev">{{cite magazine|last=Huhtala|first=Alex|date=August 1998|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_201_1998-08_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n45/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=201|pages=46–51|access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref>
| IGN = 7.3/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/31/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|last=Irwin|first=Mary Jane|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2003-10-30|access-date=2014-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618023745/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/31/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom|archive-date=2018-06-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Edge=8/10<ref name="Edge review"/>
|EGM = 37.5/40<ref name="EGM review"/>
| NGC = 32/100<ref name = "NGCmag"/>
| OXM = 8/10<ref name="XboxMagazine">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/OXM_2004_01-web#page/n29/mode/2up|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|date=January 2004|last=Rees|first=David|issue=27|page=74|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom}}</ref>
|EPD=9.5/10<ref name="EPDaily">{{cite web|last=Lucas|first=Victor|year=1998|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040515035829/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=35|archive-date=15 May 2004|url=http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=35|work=[[The Electric Playground]]|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>
|GamePro=20/20<ref name="GamePro"/>
|GameRev=A-<ref name="Game Revolution"/>
|GSpot=9.5/10<ref name="GS review">{{Cite web |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann |date=1 July 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/reviews/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review-2544109/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419090642/http://www.gamespot.com/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/reviews/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review-2544109/ |archive-date=19 April 2012 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|Hyper=92/100<ref name = "Hyperrev">{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Cam|date=September 1998|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-059/page/62/mode/2up?q=%22banjo+kazooie%22|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]|issue=59|pages=62–65|access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>
|MF=92/100<ref name = "MegaFunrev">{{cite magazine|author=Uwe|date=July 1998|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=10033&s=1|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|language=de|magazine=[[:de:Mega Fun|Mega Fun]]|pages=46–49|access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref>
|IGN=9.6/10<ref name="IGN review">{{Cite web |first=Peer |last=Schneider |date=1 July 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/151/151922p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323163045/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/151/151922p1.html |archive-date=23 March 2010 |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
|JS=88/100<ref name = "Joystick">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero096/Joystick%20096%20-%20Page%20208%20(septembre%201998).jpg|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|language=fr|magazine=[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|page=208|date=September 1998|issue=96|access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref>
|MS=9/10<ref name="MeriStation"/>
|N64=92%<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18">{{Cite magazine |first=James |last=Ashton |date=August 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[N64 Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=18 |pages=54–67}}</ref>
|NGen={{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_43/page/n107/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=43|date=July 1998|page=104|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref>
|NP=9.2/10<ref name="NP review">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20109%20%28June%201998%29/page/n95/mode/2up|date=June 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |issue=109 |page=94|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
|VGS=95%<ref name = "VGS">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ae/VideoGames_DE_1998-07.pdf#page=66|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|language=de|magazine=[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]|date=August 1998|pages=66–70|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>
|rev1=''[[64 (magazine)|64]]''
|rev1Score=95%<ref name="64magrev"/>
|rev2=''[[Adrenaline Vault]]''
|rev2Score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AVault"/>
|rev3=''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]''
|rev3Score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name = "Cincinnati">{{cite web|last=Bottorff|first=James|year=1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104001959/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.html|url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.html|archive-date=4 November 1999|title='Banjo' traces roots to 'Super Mario'|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref>
|rev4=''[[Revista Oficial Nintendo|Nintendo Acción]]''
|rev4Score=97/100<ref name = "NintendoAccionrev">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Accion_070/page/n37/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|language=es|date=September 1998|magazine=[[Revista Oficial Nintendo|Nintendo Acción]]|issue=70|pages=38–51|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref>
}}
}}
''SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC-GC/><ref name=MC-PS2/><ref name=MC-XBOX/> The game holds a 4.5 out of 5 from the ''[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|Official PlayStation Magazine]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamesasylum.com/2019/06/09/what-did-critics-say-about-spongebob-battle-for-bikini-bottom-in-2003/|title=What did critics say about SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom in 2003?|last=Gander|first=Matt|date=2019-06-09|website=GamesAsylum|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610063155/http://www.gamesasylum.com/2019/06/09/what-did-critics-say-about-spongebob-battle-for-bikini-bottom-in-2003/|archive-date=2019-06-10|access-date=2019-06-11}}</ref> [[IGN]] rated the game a 7.3 out of 10, praising the sound, graphical style, and gameplay, saying, "While its generic collect, jump, and kill mechanics, the variety and general SpongeBob zaniness keep things fresh."<ref name="ign"/> [[GMR (magazine)|GMR]] magazine gave a review score of 8/10, they gave praise to the game's camera system as being solid and adjustable and noting how the comic humor holds the standard platforming elements in place concluding “Like Bob himself, this game holds its water and is, in fact, remarkably fun.”<ref>{{Cite book|last=Orlando|first=Greg|url=https://archive.org/details/GMRMagazine/GMR_12_Jan_2004/page/n85/mode/2up|title=Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom GMR Review|date=January 2004|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|isbn=|location=United States|pages=86|access-date=February 12, 2021|issue=12}}</ref> More harshly, ''[[NGC Magazine]]''{{'}}s Rob Pegley lamented that the game "manages to combine the hideous touchy-feel values of the programme with a poor plot, badly designed levels, ... some awful collision detection ... awful music and poor humour."<ref name = "NGCmag">{{cite magazine|last=Pegley|first=Rob|date=January 2004|url=https://archive.org/details/NGC-089-2004-01/page/n53/mode/2up?q=%22Battle+for+Bikini+Bottom%22|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[NGC Magazine]]|issue=89|page=55|accessdate=November 8, 2021}}</ref>


The game has won numerous awards, including favorite video game at the [[2004 Kids' Choice Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Press Site|url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/|work=Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards|publisher=Nickelodeon|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024024402/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2004KCA/|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and entered the [[Player's Choice]], [[Platinum Hits]], and [[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]] for [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], and [[PlayStation 2]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hills|first=Calabasas|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040930005117/en/SpongeBob-SquarePants-Battle-Bikini-Bottom-Greatest-Hits|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Goes ''Greatest Hits''|work=Business Wire|access-date=2020-04-18|language=en}}</ref>
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' garnered critical acclaim upon its release. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, it garnered a [[Weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] of 92, based on 19 entries.<ref name="Metacritic" /> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' (CVG) and ''[[GamePro]]'' provided prefect scores (it was one of ''CVG''{{'}}s "high five!" recommendations, which was for games scored five hands out of five), while ratings of reviews from sources like ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (EGM), ''[[GameSpot]]'', and ''[[IGN]]'' were extremely close.{{efn|<ref name="CVGrev" /><ref name = "EGM review"/><ref name="GamePro"/><ref name = "GS review"/><ref name = "IGN review"/>}} It was also the "Game of the Month" for ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]''.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> Contemporaneous reviews constantly called ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' the best platform and action-adventure game at the time, surpassing ''Super Mario 64'', and the best game on the Nintendo 64, a console that was generally "weak" with adventure and platform games according to Chris Harding of ''[[Adrenaline Vault]]''.{{efn|<ref name = "64magrev"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name="EGM review"/><ref name="Game Revolution"/><ref name = "Joystick"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name = "NP review"/><ref name = "VGS"/>}}


The Game Boy Advance version sold an estimated 710,000 copies,<ref name=Top50/> while the PlayStation 2 version sold an estimated 880,000.<ref name=Top100/> In 2006, [[Edge (magazine)|''Edge'' magazine]] ranked the Game Boy Advance version at number 34 on its list of "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games", while placing the PlayStation 2 version at number 67 on its list of "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century", both lists arranged by the number of copies sold.<ref name=Top50>{{cite magazine|title=The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-centurys-top-50-handheld-games?page=0%2C1|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920015349/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-centurys-top-50-handheld-games?page=0%2C1|archive-date=September 20, 2008|date=August 2, 2006}}</ref><ref name=Top100>{{cite magazine|title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-top-100-games-21st-century?page=0%2C4|magazine=Edge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628120545/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-top-100-games-21st-century?page=0%2C4|archive-date=June 28, 2010|date=July 29, 2006}}</ref>
Critics noted the game's similarities to ''Super Mario 64'' in its controls, cute character design, level themes like water, haunted house and snow, the incorporation of an overworld that connects stages, and movements like the butt stomp and back jump.{{efn|<ref name = "Allgame"/><ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/><ref name="NP review"/>}} However, it was also celebrated for building off of what made ''Super Mario 64'' successful, in terms of its technical aspects, gameplay ideas, options of camera angles, animations, player characters' abilities, polygons, non-linear world design, varied, colourful and realistic textures, amount of tasks, and the scale, size, detail and amount of interactive characters of the 3D worlds.{{efn|<ref name="64magrev"/><ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name="EGM review"/><ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "GamePro"/><ref name="GS review"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name="IGN review"/><ref name = "Joystick"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/><ref name = "VGS"/>}} It was to a point where ''Consoles +'' considered ''Banjo Kazooie'' ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s [[spiritual successor]].<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> The game's little originality was also brought up but factored differently between opinions. Some were apathetic, such as ''GameSpot''{{'}}s [[Jeff Gerstmann]] who elaborated that it simply "makes the logical progressions you would expect Nintendo to make."<ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name="Game Revolution"/><ref name = "GS review"/> However, others were let down, ''N64 Magazine'' arguing only ten challenges to collect jiggies were innovative.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/><ref name = "MegaFunrev"/> The same magazine argued it was only better in terms on visuals but not gameplay, in a review published in an issue preceded by two issues that predicted it to be the best game of the summer and "the first real ''Mario''-beater."<ref name = "N64GrinandBearit">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/n64magazineukcollection/N64%20Magazine%2016%20-%20june%201998%20%28UK%29%20%28Max-Rez%20version%29/page/10/mode/2up|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: grin and bear it|magazine=[[N64 Magazine]]|date=June 1998|issue=16|pages=10–13|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/>


== Remake ==
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was complimented for the utilization of simultaneous control of two characters with different abilities.<ref name = "Joystick"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/> ''Adrenaline Vault'' and ''EGM'' called it a genius design choice, the former publication reasoning that it made the gameplay "stylistic" and rewarded players for creative manuvering.<ref name = "AVault"/><ref name = "EGM review"/> ''IGN'' was entertained by the interactions between the two characters, and highlighted the suitability of the objectives to their abilities and the balance of segments that require one of them, calling it "addictive".<ref name="IGN review"/> ''N64 Magazine'' enjoyed that the level design not only suited the combination of both characters' abilities, but also required them.<ref name = "N64GrinandBearit"/> Lucas noted the adaptiveness of the controls, especially for players of ''Super Mario 64'', and the flexibility and freedom of movement the two-character mechanic provided, which was also praised by ''Nintendo Acción''.<ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/> ''Hyper''{{'}}s Cam Shea also reported the controls as intuitive, as well as responsive, and enthusiastically wrote the incoporation of several abilities resulted in a variety of challenges and puzzles, making for an "action packed" experience.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> Lucas' favorite ability was Kazooie's flying, calling the "most rewarding move," "a magnificent sensation," and the beak attack "incredibly fun."<ref name = "EPDaily"/> Lucas also noted how the learning of moves correlated with the increase in difficulty.<ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/> Harding opined the jumping and movement was well-above most other video games. The new moves he cited as enjoying included the beak-pecking, the attack during Kazooie's flying, and the somersault roll, and exuberantly called playing as the animal forms "a riot."<ref name = "AVault"/>
{{main|SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated}}
Years after the game's releases, it has gained a cult following, positive reappraisal from contemporary critics, and a large speedrunning presence,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/inside-the-wild-speedrunning-community-of-16-year-old-spongebob-battle-for-bikini-bottom/|title=Inside the wild speedrunning community of 16-year-old SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=2019-09-25|journal=PC Gamer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121194659/https://www.pcgamer.com/inside-the-wild-speedrunning-community-of-16-year-old-spongebob-battle-for-bikini-bottom/|archive-date=November 21, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/spongebob-speedrunner-wont-rest-until-the-game-gets-the-1795418676|title=SpongeBob Speedrunner Won't Rest Until Battle For Bikini Bottom Gets The Respect It Deserves|last=Gach|first=Ethan|date=2017-05-21|website=Kotaku|language=en-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703024649/https://kotaku.com/spongebob-speedrunner-wont-rest-until-the-game-gets-the-1795418676|archive-date=July 3, 2019|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> with [[Heavy Iron Studios]] expressing interest in a remake or sequel, as well as requests from the game's fans for a remake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Heavy-Iron-Studios-Inc-212957828786070/?hc_ref=ARQ6EcY2Du7AmqHEK4USamYvcySesBIrxQEW649KK0oniMxUcfKBRB88AyOUvxxquxs|title=Heavy Iron Studios, Inc.|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-27}}</ref> This was granted nearly two decades after the game's original release, with the announcement of ''Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated'' on June 5, 2019, ahead of [[E3 2019]], albeit by a different developer from the original game. The remake was developed by Purple Lamp Studios and published by [[THQ Nordic]] and features an all-new multiplayer mode and content that was cut from the original game.<ref>{{cite AV media |url-status = live |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/swQBJj251d4 |archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQBJj251d4 |title = SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated - Announcement Teaser |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.destructoid.com/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom-getting-remastered-for-pc-and-consoles-556026.phtml | title=(Update) SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom getting remastered for PC and consoles| date=June 5, 2019}}</ref> The remake was released 1 year later on June 23, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated - SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated releases on June 23 - Steam News|url=https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/969990/view/3280252288779234335|date=2020-04-16|website=store.steampowered.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-08}}</ref>


== See also ==
Critics suggested potentially high amounts of time to complete the game, estimates ranging from 35–50 hours, which was attributed to the world size, amount of objectives, challenge of the later levels, and backtracking.{{efn|<ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name = "EGM review"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/>}} ''GamePro'' stated the amount of tasks and big size surpassed most other consoles games at the time.<ref name = "GamePro"/> ''EGM''{{'}}s testimony stated "a feeling of great depth" and interactive-ness, filled with large parts of the world that "floors" the player, such as the shark Clanker and a large snowmen's scarf to slide on."<ref name="EGM review"/> Critics from ''Hyper'' and ''IGN'' praised the decision to have action segments in nearly all areas, removing any tedium of exploring the non-linear worlds.<ref name = "IGN review"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/> ''Joystick'' also highlighted the non-linear progression, and the amount of "twists and turns" that resulted from it.<ref name = "Joystick"/> Critics Victor Lucas and Alex Huhtala were stunned by the size of the areas, especially the overworld that they considered the size of a single game, where "it takes ages just to get from one level entrance to another."<ref name = "CVGrev"/><ref name = "EPDaily"/> ''N64 Magazine'' wrote that the collectables, mysterious part of the stages and a timer feature incentivizing thinking of how to beat the game quicker contributed to the replay value.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> The huge amount of collectibles in comparison to ''Super Mario 64'', in spite of the lesser number of worlds, was also highlighted.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> Lucas argued it was a bit excessive, joking that "you're going to know what it feels like to be a part of the Central Park Trash Collection Unit."<ref name = "EPDaily"/> As he summarized, "Expect to be lost, expect to be confused, expect to be frustrated and dammit, expect to be addicted and entertained."<ref name = "EPDaily"/> Harding found the overall experience "wonderfully addictive and a great challenge," but argued that the puzzles and bosses, although "very intelligent and creative," were not as impressive or "ingeniously fun" as ''Super Mario 64''{{'}}s.<ref name = "AVault"/>
* ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman]]''
* ''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (video game)|The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'' (video game)
{{Clear}}


== References ==
''Nintendo Acción'', ''EGM'' and ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' considered ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s graphics the greatest in the N64 library.<ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name = "EGM review"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/> Shea claimed they set a benchmark for the console, absent of issues of most other games such as repetitive textures, fogging and lagging framerates.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> According to a ''[[:de:Mega Fun|Mega Fun]]'', the amount of visual detail was unseen in prior 3D games of any other console.<ref name = "MegaFunrev"/> The game was highlighted for its effects, such as lighting, water ripples, transparency, sun ray [[Atmospheric diffraction|diffraction]], and leaves falling, and textures, such as lava, grass, stone, cobwebs, and rust on the pipes; critics claimed players would notice them before entering the actual levels.{{efn|<ref name = "Cincinnati"/><ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "MegaFunrev"/><ref name = "N64GrinandBearit"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name="NP review"/>}} Shea wrote a paragraph about the amount of detail on the ripples, occurring from the water dripplets that fly through the air when Banjo jumps in and from water bubbles underwater.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> The absence of fog was also highlighted, Shea explaining that it was easier to sense the landscapes' big scale and size.<ref name = "EGM review"/><ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/> Any graphical issues were reported as trivial, including slight frame rate drops as a result of an overwhelming amount of assets, objects not appearing at distances when on camera, and a few moments of clipping.<ref name = "AVault"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name = "Joystick"/> ''Hyper'' wrote that, went objects close-by did not render, they were hard to notice and fade in smoothly when coming close to them.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> Its characters were noted as more rounded and similar to an animated film or cartoon.<ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/> ''[[N64 Magazine]]'' called Rusty Bucket Bay the level with the best visuals, although lauded the "superb atmosphere" of Mad Monster Mansion, citing its enemies and "dusky lighting effects."<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> They also lauded the haunted world's ability to "bustles with action and colour" in spite of its darkness, and praised Click Clock Wood as "beautifully worked out and one of the most ambitious parts of the whole game."<ref name = "N64magSpecialInvestigation"/> The magazine reported being so absorbed by the 3D worlds that they played for 16 hours straight.<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> Mad Monster Mansion was called the "coolest" by ''64'' magazine, enjoying an overhead view the player gets while on top of the house.<ref name="64magrev"/>

''IGN'' was astonished by the attention to detail to all aspects of the experience, such as the interface of the save file options, which consists of Banjo and Kazooie performing different actions, such as playing a Game Boy. As they explained, "It's a very unnecessary interface that many developers wouldn't have bothered with, but Rare has gone the extra mile to give the game that much more character."<ref name="IGN review"/> Some critics argued ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' would appeal to all ages.<ref name = "AVault"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/> However, some were turned off by the cuteness, which ''[[:de:Video Games|Video Games]]'' felt would alienate any player above 12, and Lucas argued was a poor choice for a game released in a market oversaturated with cute products.<ref name = "EGM review"/><ref name = "EPDaily"/><ref name = "VGS"/> Critics praised the personality, dialogue, and voice method of the characters, ''[[GameSpot]]'' comparing the way of speaking to [[Charlie Brown]]'s teacher.<ref name="GS review"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/> Gruntilda's taunts were among the highlighted examples of the game's dialogue and humour by sources as ''Mega Fun'', which noted the distinctiveness of its British sense of humour.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name = "MegaFunrev"/> Shea also noted Brentilda's secrets about Gruntilda, Kazooie's wisecracks against Bottles, and a line Mumbo says after accidentally transforming Banjo and Kazooie into a washing machine, ""Mumbo's loincloth dirty. You wash?"<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> ''Nintendo Power'' liked the characters as exuberating "more of a loud-mouthed attitude than Mario and crew."<ref name="NP review"/> Shea called the game's conclusion "one of the most creative and satisfying endings yet seen in a platformer."<ref name = "Hyperrev"/> Harding was mixed on the characters. He argued the titular Bear had more personality than the Mario brothers, and cited "timeless encounters with such creatures as the orange-throwing gorilla and the blubbering hippopotamus." However, he also disliked some characters, such as dancing houses and onions, as weirdly-designed, unsuitable to the stages they were in, and lacking the appeal of enemies like the Bom-ombs in ''Super Mario 64''.<ref name = "AVault"/> ''N64 Magazine'' praised the characters as "genuinely appealing" and well-designed, but felt there were "some moments of cloying cuteness" and criticized characters that simply consist of eyes on an object—"we're not sure that just sticking a pair of eyes on any inanimate object you fancy qualifies as a characterisation."<ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> ''EGM'' also admitted to not caring about Banjo as a character.<ref name="EGM review"/> A huge detractor in this aspect was Lucas. He condemned the characters in it and ''Diddy Kong Racing'' as "so half-baked and overtly cliched they almost sabotage the ingenuity of the titles they belong to." He was especially desensitized by the "regurgitated, ill conceived, and down right offensive" arc and humour of Gruntilda, where she tries to look like "the hottest looking old witch Cosmopolitan magazine has ever seen" and is mocked for her weight and unattractiveness: "I was expecting to be charmed by some truly witty English entendres and non-sequitors but instead, I was bludgeoned by fat jokes and lots of silliness about Gruntilda being a nose picker."<ref name = "EPDaily"/>
The music and sound effects were well-received, highlighted for the dynamic music component which contributed to the atmosphere; ''N64 Magazine'' stated it gave the game "far more atmosphere than any streaming CD music could ever manage."{{efn|<ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "MegaFunrev"/><ref name = "IGN review"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/><ref name = "NextGen review"/>}} The borrowing of melodies from children's songs, such as "[[Teddy Bears' Picnic]]" for Gruntilda's Lair, were also noted.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name = "N64 Magazine Issue 18"/> Harding and Shea was amazed by the detail in the sound effects, down to the biting and swimming sounds of the sharks and piranhas being dissimillar, and squelsh sounds occurring when Banjo steps on goop.<ref name = "AVault"/><ref name = "Hyperrev"/>

The most-critique'd aspect was the camera.<ref name="EGM review"/> Reviewers positively noted the amount of control the player had over it.<ref name = "Allgame"/><ref name = "ConsolesPlus"/> However, they were critical of the fixed viewpoints, such as those for underwater sections and tight areas that obscured items from the main field of view, and instances where the camera gets stuck on a wall.{{efn|<ref name="Allgame">{{Cite web |first=Colin |last=Williamson |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11745&tab=review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113212741/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11745&tab=review |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=[[AllGame]]}}</ref><ref name="GS review"/><ref name = "MeriStation"/><ref name="Edge review">{{Cite magazine |date=August 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=61 |pages=82–84}}</ref><ref name="Game Revolution">{{Cite web |first=Colin |last=Ferris |date=1 July 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006181952/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |archive-date=6 October 2012 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=[[GameRevolution]]}}</ref><ref name = "Hyperrev"/>}} ''Hyper'' and ''N64 Magazine'' found most of the fixed viewpoints tolerable, and appreciated the manual camera control.<ref name = "Hyperrev"/><ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18" /> ''N64 Magazine'' and ''Nintendo Acción'' found the camera control intuitive, but felt ''Super Mario 64'' was better in terms of the camera.<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18" /><ref name = "NintendoAccionrev"/> In 1999, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' received two awards during the 2nd Annual [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]] [[Interactive Achievement Awards]]: Console Action Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Art/Graphics. It was also nominated for Game of the Year and Console Adventure Game of the Year.<ref name="Interactive Achievement Awards" /> ''IGN'' awarded the game Overall Best Graphics of 1998,<ref name="IGN best graphics" /> Best Texture Design of 1998,<ref name="IGN best graphics" /> and Best Music of 1998.<ref name="IGN best music" />

== Legacy ==
=== Sequels and re-releases ===
{{Video game reviews
| title = Critical reception (re-releases)
| MC = 77/100 (X360)<ref name="BKXBLA metacritic" />
| EuroG = 5/10 (X360)<ref name="BKXBLA eurogamer" />
| IGN = 8/10 (X360)<ref name="BKXBLA ign review" />
| NLife = 10/10 (NS)<ref name="NLife Switch review"/>
| PALGN = 8.5/10 (X360)<ref name = "BKXBLA PALGN review">{{cite web|last=Rositano|first=Joseph|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516034621/http://palgn.com.au/xbox-360/13431/xbla-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review/|archive-date=16 May 2009|url=http://palgn.com.au/xbox-360/13431/xbla-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review/|title=XBLA SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review|work=[[PALGN]]|access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref>
| TX = 8.3/10 (X360)<ref name = "BKXBLA TeamXbox"/>
| OXM = 8/10 (X360)<ref name = "BKXBLA OXM">{{cite magazine|last=Watt|first=Meghan|date=3 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205143200/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/xbox-soapbox/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|archive-date=5 December 2008|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/xbox-soapbox/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|access-date=25 December 2022}}</ref>
| VG = 8/10 (X360)<ref name = "BKXBLA VG site review">{{cite web|last=Orry|first=Tom|year=2008|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-xbla-review/|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (XBLA) Review|website=VideoGamer.com|access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref>
}}
A sequel, ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated]]'', was released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000 and largely adopts the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor.<ref name="IGN BT review" /> The ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom]]'' series continued to be developed with the release of ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Grunty's Revenge]]'' and ''[[Banjo-Pilot]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2003 and 2005, respectively.<ref name="IGN GR review" /><ref name="IGN BP review" /> The characters Banjo and Kazooie proved to be popular and were once seen as a potential [[mascot]] for the [[Xbox 360]] console.<ref name="CVG" /> A third main game, ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Nuts & Bolts]]'', was released for the Xbox 360 in 2008. ''Nuts & Bolts'' is a departure from its predecessors and involves the player building vehicles of all shapes and sizes to complete challenges.<ref name="BKNB ign review" />

An [[Xbox Live Arcade]] version of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'', developed by [[4J Studios]], was released for the Xbox 360 on 26 November 2008.<ref name="BKXBLA confirmed" /><ref name="IGN BKXBLA Dated" /> This version runs in a full [[widescreen]] mode with an updated [[1080p]] resolution, cleaner audio and consistent [[frame rate]], includes [[Xbox Live#Gamerscore|achievements]], and supports the "Stop 'N' Swop" connectivity that was incomplete in the Nintendo 64 game, used now to unlock features in both ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Nuts & Bolts'' and the then-upcoming Xbox Live Arcade version of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated''.<ref name="BKXBLA features" /><ref name = "BKXBLA PALGN review"/><ref name="BTXBLA ign review" /><ref name = "BKXBLA TeamXbox">{{cite web|last=Nardozzi|first=Dale|date=4 December 2008|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1638/BanjoKazooie/p1/|title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review (Xbox 360)|website=[[TeamXbox]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208045943/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1638/BanjoKazooie/p1/ |access-date=25 December 2022|archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref> The Xbox Live Arcade version was generally well received by critics, featuring an aggregate score of 77 out of 100 at [[Metacritic]] and generally considered a solid revival of a classic.<ref name="BKXBLA metacritic" /><ref name="BKXBLA worthplaying" /><ref name="BKXBLA ign review" /> ''[[TeamXbox]]'' praised its controls as very responsive in comparison to most other XBLA re-releases.<ref name = "BKXBLA TeamXbox"/> However, the port also reminded them of the game's original issues, especially with the camera, such as the inability to look up high enough, resulting in several items that are not seen on screen, and the camera flipping at inopportune moments.<ref name = "BKXBLA OXM"/><ref name = "BKXBLA TeamXbox"/> ''[[PALGN]]'' reported brief pauses in one of Gruntilda's cutscenes and returns to the hub world, and disappearances of collectables like musical notes and jiggies.<ref name = "BKXBLA PALGN review"/> ''PALGN'' was also disappointed in the small amount of rewards provided by the Stop 'n Swap feature for ''Nuts & Bolts'', only a few vehicle accessories.<ref name = "BKXBLA PALGN review"/> In 2009, IGN ranked it seventh on its list of Top 10 Xbox Live Arcade Games.<ref name="IGN Top XBLA" /> In 2015, the Xbox Live Arcade version became one of the first [[List of backward-compatible games for Xbox One and Series X/S|backwards compatible titles]] for [[Xbox One]],<ref name="XONE compatible"/> and was re-released as part of the ''[[Rare Replay]]'' video game compilation.<ref name="XONE version" /> In 2019, this version was [[List of Xbox One X enhanced games|enhanced]] to run at native [[4K resolution]] on Xbox One.<ref name="XONE enhanced" />

A [[spiritual successor]] to ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'', ''[[Yooka-Laylee]]'', was released in 2017.<ref name="spiritual successor" /> Elements, largely coming from ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'', were released as [[downloadable content]] for the crossover fighting game ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' on 4 September 2019, including Banjo and Kazooie as a [[tag team]] of playable fighters and a stage based on Spiral Mountain, a location in the game.<ref name="SR Smash" /> ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was added to the [[Nintendo Switch Online]] [[List of Nintendo Switch Online games#Nintendo 64|library of Nintendo 64 games]] on 20 January 2022, marking its first re-release on a Nintendo console.<ref name="Switch release"/>

=== Retrospective reception ===
''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' is occasionally included in "best games" lists by video game publications. In terms of best all-time Nintendo 64 entries, it was ranked number seven on IGN's 2000 list,<ref name="IGN Top N64 games" /> six on ''[[NME]]''{{'}}s 2017 list and ''[[Video Games Chronicle]]''{{'}}s 2021 list (where it tied with ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated''),<ref name = "NME2017list">{{cite web|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|date=26 July 2017|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/ten-best-n64-games-2116410|title=The 10 best Nintendo 64 games ever|work=[[NME]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "VGChroniclesN64">{{cite web|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=23 June 2021|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/guide/the-25-best-n64-games/|title=The 25 best N64 games you need to revisit|website=[[Video Games Chronicle]]|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref> four on a 2022 ''Nintendo Life'' list,<ref name = "NLife2022list">{{cite web|last=Lane|first=Gavin|date=12 April 2022|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/best-nintendo-64-games?page=5|title=Best Nintendo 64 Games|work=[[Nintendo Life]]|page=5|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> five by ''[[Digital Spy]]'' in 2017,<ref name = "DigitalSpy2017">{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Sam|date=23 June 2017|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a797311/20-best-n64-games-of-all-time-ranked/|title=The 20 best Nintendo 64 games of all time, ranked|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> eight on rankings by [[Shacknews]] in 2021 and [[GamesRadar]] in 2022,<ref name = "GRadarlist2022">{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Darren|date=21 December 2022|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-n64-games-all-time/|title=The 25 best N64 games of all-time|work=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "ShacknewsN64Games">{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/126947/shacknews-top-10-nintendo-64-games?page=4#article-body|title=Shacknews Top 10 Nintendo 64 Games|date=1 October 2021|website=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> 13 by [[SVG.com]] in 2022,<ref name = "SVGbestn64">{{cite web|url=https://www.svg.com/1000309/the-best-nintendo-64-games-of-all-time-ranked/|title=The 30 Best Nintendo 64 Games Of All Time Ranked|date=9 September 2022|website=[[SVG.com]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> and two on a 2022 ''[[Destructoid]]'' top-five article.<ref name = "DestructoidBestN64">{{cite web|last=Handley|first=Zoey|date=30 November 2022|url=https://www.destructoid.com/top-5-best-n64-games-of-all-time-ranked/|title=Top 5 best N64 games of all time, ranked|website=[[Destructoid]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> As Mark Beaumont jested, "A bear with a bird rucksack runs around a 3D platform jungle making some of the most annoying noises this side of the guy from Interpol singing – and somehow this made for one of the most engrossing games of a generation."<ref name = "NME2017list"/> It also appeared on unranked N64 game lists, such as in 2014 by ''[[Retro Gamer]]'', in 2021 by ''[[PC Magazine]]'' and 2022 by [[news.com.au]] and ''[[GameSpot]]''.<ref name = "PCMag2021">{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Benji|date=23 June 2021|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-10-best-nintendo-64-games|title=The 10 Best Nintendo 64 Games|work=[[PC Magazine]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "newscomau">{{cite web|last=Woodrow|first=Ryan|date=15 June 2022|url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/8-best-nintendo-64-games-of-all-time/news-story/33d965459fad54da3c95efa2db0dad0c|title=8 best Nintendo 64 games of all time|website=[[news.com.au]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "GSpotBestN64Games">{{cite web|last=Bonthuys|first=Darryn|date=29 September 2022|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-n64-games-of-all-time/1100-6496612/|title=Best N64 Games Of All Time|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "RetroGamer2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/top_10/top-ten-n64-games/|title=Top Ten N64 Games|work=[[Retro Gamer]]|date=6 January 2014|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref> ''Shacknews'' called it the fifth best Rare game in 2018, while ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine's ''Vulture'' website, in 2022, listed it as one of "The 25 Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online."<ref>{{cite web|last=Burke|first=Greg|date=16 March 2018|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/103836/top-10-rare-games|title=Top 10 Rare Games|website=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=31 October 2022|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/nintendo-switch-online-best-games-nes-snes-n64.html|title=The 25 Best Games on Nintendo Switch Online|website=[[Vulture.com]]|access-date=27 December 2022}}</ref> In 2009, ''Game Informer'' ranked the game 71st in their list of the Top 100 Games Of All Time.<ref name="GI list" /> The same year, ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' ranked the game 36th in a list of greatest Nintendo games.<ref name = "ONMBestGames">{{cite web | author=East, Tom | date=24 February 2009 | title=100 Best Nintendo Games: Part 4 | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 | work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | access-date=9 September 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226213643/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 | archive-date=August 31, 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to ''Nintendo Life''{{'}}s 10/10 review of the Switch re-release, the game was "a benchmark for 3D platforming excellence that has rarely been replicated since."<ref name="NLife Switch review"/> Claims of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' being greater or a close second to ''Super Mario 64'', as well as building off already-established aspects of the 3D platform game, continue in writings by retrospective journalists.<ref name = "GRadarlist2022"/><ref name = "GSpotBestN64Games"/><ref name = "RetroGamer2014"/> Positives have been commonly cited toward its British sarcastic humour, which has been suggested to distinguish it from other games of its kind released in the same generation, as well as its graphics, controls, soundtrack, challenge, variety, likeable characters, and atmosphere, scope and design of its levels.{{efn|<ref name = "DestructoidBestN64"/><ref name = "VGChroniclesN64"/><ref name = "GSpotBestN64Games"/><ref name = "newscomau"/><ref name = "NLife2022list"/><ref name = "ShacknewsN64Games"/><ref name = "SVGbestn64"/><ref name = "PCMag2021"/><ref name = "DigitalSpy2017"/>}} ''news.com.au'' reasoned the "charming characters and memorable moments" made up for the scale being slightly less than ''Super Mario 64'' and ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated''.<ref name = "newscomau"/> ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Darryn Bonthuys wrote it "was nearly perfect, a game that hit the Goldilocks zone of size, fun, and challenge with its design, while also offering a soundtrack that would make you tap holes in your floor."<ref name = "GSpotBestN64Games"/> The game is frequently described as a capturer of hearts and spirits, ''[[SVG.com]]'' and ''news.com.au'' stating it was the only entry in the series to do so.<ref name = "newscomau"/><ref name = "SVGbestn64"/><ref name = "ShacknewsN64Games"/><ref name = "NLife2022list"/>

Some critics noted the importance of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s indication that Nintendo's EAD was not the only developer to pull off a first-rate 3D platformer.<ref name = "GamesRadar2010music"/><ref name="IGN Top XBLA" /> ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was also one of the most notable products of a [[platform-adventure]] trend of games that emphasized exploration, increasing abilities of the player character, and inventory management.<ref name = "Procedural3DFTC">{{cite book|first1=Anthony|last1=Medendorp|first2=Sudhanshu|last2=Kumar Semwal|date=18 October 2018|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-02686-8_70|section=Procedural 3D Tile Generation for Level Design|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-02686-8_70|pages=941–949|title=Proceedings of the Future Technologies Conference (FTC) 2018 |isbn=9783030026868 |s2cid=69701150 |access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref><ref name = "73000Kotaku"/> It reached its zenith in the [[Fifth generation of video game consoles|Nintendo 64 and PlayStation era]], but declined to a point where they were near non-existent in the [[Seventh generation of video game consoles|Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 generation of gaming]], outside of Nintendo's ''Mario'' series.<ref name = "Procedural3DFTC"/><ref name = "73000Kotaku"/> Kirkhope recalled Rare getting tired of making ''Banjo'' games after ''Tooie'', contributed by Rare's general philosophy being against sequels.<ref name = "73000Kotaku"/>

A frequently-cited reason for the decline, which ''Kotaku'' and ''The Ringer'' have suggested, was the overwhelming amount of collectables, of which Rare's 3D platformers were particularly notorious. Although ''Kotaku'' and Kirkhope considered items to obtain the most excessive on ''Donkey Kong 64'' and ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated'', ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''{{'}}s "charming-if-pushing-it collecting of items" was cited as an example, its success laying a collect-a-thon ground for other games in the genre to distort.<ref name = "73000Kotaku"/><ref name = "TheRinger"/> ''GamesRadar'' journalist Darren Jones, conversely, felt the game struck the perfect balance of collectables.<ref name = "GRadarlist2022"/> Reviews of the 2008 XBLA port provided more reasons. Meghan Watt of ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]'' argued players had less tolerance for limited lives and "endless hint-free puzzles", while IGN suggested, "Most gamers have had their fill of simple fetch and hop games and like a bit more action and drama on their consoles.”<ref name = "TheRinger"/><ref name = "BKXBLA OXM"/>

The platform trend was revitalized in the mid-2010s with the release of remakes of platforms games like ''[[Spyro Reignited Trilogy]]'' (2017) and ''[[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]]'' (2017) and indie games like ''A Hat of Time'' (2017), which was marketed as being influenced by ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom''.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> The game's developer, Jonas Kaerlev, explained that his goal was to magnify the positives of the 1998 N64 game, including exploration, charm, and puzzle-solving, while mitigating its flaws, such as endless collecting and a camera.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> He admitted two levels explicitly based on ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' segments, a race with another character and a ticket collection, were removed due to poor test player reception.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> The resurgence of these games as well as the announcement of a [[Battletoads (2020 video game)|''Battletoads'' remake]] influenced speculation of another game in the ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' series, Mayles in 2018 revealing it from "aggrieved people on [[Twitter]]."<ref name = "TheRinger"/>

Opinions on how well ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' has aged differ. Reviews of the XBLA port from [[Eurogamer]] and IGN considered it outdated in its gameplay style and issues related to the controls and camera.<ref name="BKXBLA eurogamer" /><ref name="BKXBLA ign review" /> Others, however, argue the game still holds up and is one of very few retro 3D platformers to do so, which was expressed as early as 2000 by [[Matt Casamassina]] and as late as 2022 by long-time video game journalist Chris Scullion's book ''Jumping for Joy: The History of Platform Video Games''.<ref name = "BKXBLA PALGN review"/><ref name = "BKXBLA VG site review"/><ref name = "Scullion2022">{{cite book|last=Scullion|first=Chris|year=2022|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jumping_for_Joy_The_History_of_Platform/_MSAEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22banjo+kazooie%22&pg=PA123&printsec=frontcover|title=Jumping for Joy: The History of Platform Video Games|section=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom|publisher=White Owl|isbn=9781526790163|pages=122–123|access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="IGN Top N64 games" /> ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' has also been cited as part of a 1990s [[Golden Age|golden age]] of Rare entries that showed a frequency and strong devotion to quality in the platform and shooter genres, which began with ''Donkey Kong Country'' and mostly encompassed the Nintendo 64.{{efn|<ref name = "RetroGamer153">{{cite magazine|last=McFerran|first=Damien|date=April 2016|title=How Rare Ruled N64|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|issue=153|pages=76–85}}</ref><ref name = "TheRinger"/><ref name = "GSpotBestN64Games"/><ref name = "DestructoidBestN64"/><ref name = "ONMBestGames"/>}} ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' has been the most acclaimed of these games.<ref name="NLife Switch review"/> Victor Lucas, reviewing the game for ''[[The Electric Playground]]'' upon its release, noticed it was a part of Rare's "bombardment of triple A games", which also included ''Goldeneye 007'', ''Diddy Kong Racing'' and (at the time) the upcoming ''Conker'' game.<ref name="EPDaily"/>

As one of the earliest platformers, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' was noted by ''The Ringer'' and Kaerlev, for a major difference from the ''Mario'' series it took influence from: the rejection of a start-to-end structure in favor of exploration. Many of the 3D ''Mario'' games continued to follow their linear formula until ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' (2017), where the player can explore the world without a time limit and remains in it after collecting a power moon.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> Additionally, ''Odyssey''{{'}}s capture mechanic, where Mario turns into whatever object or animal it latches onto, is similar to Mumbo's animal transformations in ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' and ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated''.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> Nintendo never publicized if they took inspiration from the ''Banjo'' games.<ref name = "TheRinger"/> As Mayles responded, "We took enough influences from Nintendo's games, so if they were influenced by Banjo, then that’s kind of a nice thing."<ref name = "TheRinger"/>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==References==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Reflist|refs=
* {{IMDb title|0395770}}

* ''[https://www.mobygames.com/game/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom]'' (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox) on [[MobyGames]]
<!--CITE VIDEO GAME-->
* ''[https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/spongebob-squarepants-battle-for-bikini-bottom_ SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom]'' (Windows) on MobyGames

* ''[https://www.speedrun.com/bfbb SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom]'' on [[speedrun.com]]
<ref name="opening sequence">{{Cite video game |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |developer=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |level=Opening sequence |date=1998 |quote='''Dingpot:''' Err.. but there is this girl... / '''Gruntilda:''' What d'you mean, this cannot be, there's no one prettier than me! / '''Dingpot:''' Why, it's Tooty, young and small, she's the prettiest girl of all!}}</ref>
* [https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Microsoft_Xbox/Manual/formated/SpongeBob_SquarePants-_Battle_for_Bikini_Bottom_-_2003_-_THQ,_Inc..pdf Game manual (Xbox)]

<ref name="machine">{{Cite video game |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |developer=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |level=Gruntilda's Lair |date=1998 |quote='''Gruntilda:''' This fine contraption, so I'm told, will make me young and Tooty old!}}</ref>

<ref name="kidnapping">{{Cite video game |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |developer=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |level=Opening sequence |date=1998 |quote='''Gruntilda:''' Come to me, my little pretty, you'll soon be ugly, what a pity! [Swoops down and catches Tooty]}}</ref>

<ref name="training">{{Cite video game |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |developer=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |level=Opening sequence |date=1998 |quote='''Bottles:''' The ugly witch Gruntilda swooped down out of the sky and grabbed her! / '''Kazooie:''' Calm down, geeky we'll get her back! Where did she go? / '''Bottles:''' She flew up to her mountain lair! It's really dangerous, so you'll probably need some training before you go up there!}}</ref>

<ref name="Grunty must be defeated">{{Cite video game |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |developer=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |platform=[[Nintendo 64]] |level=Spiral Mountain |date=1998 |quote='''Tooty:''' What's the party for? Grunty got away, so get back up there and finish the job!}}</ref>

<!--CITE AV MEDIA NOTES-->

<ref name="manual">{{Cite AV media notes |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |type=Instruction booklet |date=1998 |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |location=Redmond, Washington |id=U/NUS-NBKE-USA}}</ref>

<!--CITE AV MEDIA-->

<ref name="Cancelled worlds">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVl0wOdB9Jc |title=Rare Revealed: The Making of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |place=Twycross, England |time=0:41 |access-date=22 September 2015 |format=Video |quote=We used some levels that were originally planned for ''Kazooie'' ... were then rolled into ''Tooie''.}}</ref>

<ref name="Revealed">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w72kj20YNA0 |title=Rare Revealed: A Rare Look at Dream |date=22 December 2015 |people=[[Gregg Mayles]], Ed Bryan, Paul Machacek |publisher=[[Rare (company)|Rare]] |place=Twycross, England |access-date=16 October 2018 |format=Video |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/w72kj20YNA0 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!--CITE BOOK-->

<ref name="Guide transformations">{{Cite book |title=Banjo-Kazzoie: The Official Player's Guide |date=1999 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |pages=14–15 |chapter=Transformations |asin=B000CRNHWE}}</ref>

<ref name="Guide secrets">{{Cite book |title=Banjo-Kazzoie: The Official Player's Guide |date=1999 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |pages=126–128 |chapter=Top Secret Stuff |asin=B000CRNHWE}}</ref>

<!--CITE MAGAZINE-->

<ref name="RetroGamer">{{Cite magazine |date=March 2007 |title=The Making of SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Retro Gamer]] |publisher=[[Imagine Publishing]] |issue=36 |pages=18–25}}</ref>

<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 16">{{Cite magazine |date=June 1998 |title=Playing the banjo... |magazine=[[N64 Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=16 |page=13}}</ref>

<ref name="N64 Magazine Issue 18"/>

<ref name="NP preview">{{Cite magazine |date=May 1998 |title=The World Belongs to SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |issue=108 |pages=22–29}}</ref>

<ref name="NP review"/>

<ref name="Edge review"/>

<ref name="NextGen review">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |issue=43 |page=106}}</ref>

<ref name="EGM preview">{{Cite magazine |date=September 1997 |title=Protos: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=98 |page=34}}</ref>

<ref name="EGM review">{{cite magazine |last1=Smith |first1=Shawn |last2=Boyer |first2=Crispin |last3=Davison |first3=Jon |last4=Hsu |first4=Dan |date=September 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=110 |page=145}}</ref>

<ref name="GProE3">{{Cite magazine |date=September 1997 |title=E3 Showstoppers! |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=108 |page=38}}</ref>

<ref name="GPro delay">{{Cite magazine |date=November 1997 |title=Holiday Surprise: Diddy Kong Racing Announced; Griffey and SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Delayed |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |issue=110 |page=30}}</ref>

<ref name=EGMdelay>{{cite magazine |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Strange Name, Great Game |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=105 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=April 1998|page=35}}</ref>

<ref name="Game Informer">{{Cite magazine |date=2 February 1998 |title=A Bear of a Game |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/pviews/feb98/banjo/banjo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990501134306/http://www.gameinformer.com/pviews/feb98/banjo/banjo.html |archive-date=1 May 1999 |access-date=13 January 2012 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>

<ref name="GI list">{{Cite magazine |first=Jeff |last=Cork |date=16 November 2009 |title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100) |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408113757/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2010 |access-date=28 January 2012 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>

<ref name="GIProject">{{Cite magazine |first=Ben |last=Reeves |date=22 October 2012 |title=''Dream'' Project: The Secret History of ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom'' |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/10/22/secret-history-of-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113222025/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/10/22/secret-history-of-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.aspx |archive-date=13 January 2016 |access-date=16 October 2018 |magazine=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref>

<!--CITE NEWS-->

<ref name="Marketing budget">{{Cite news |title=Nintendo's holiday arsenal is short |newspaper=[[Green Bay Press-Gazette]] |page=4 |date=29 August 1997 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90701351/green-bay-press-gazette/ |accessdate=18 December 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

<!--CITE WEB-->

<ref name="NG magazine">{{Cite web |date=7 April 1998 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/previews/1922_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303114356/http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/previews/1922_2.html |archive-date=3 March 2000 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]}}</ref>

<ref name="mtv-stop-n-swop">{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |date=23 May 2008 |title=Why I Finally Accept What Happened To That 'Banjo Kazooie' Stop N Swop Thing |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/23/stop-n-swop-thing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208101018/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/23/stop-n-swop-thing/ |archive-date=8 February 2012 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[MTV]]}}</ref>

<ref name="TheRinger">{{Cite web |first=Ben |last=Lindbergh |date=19 June 2018 |title=How 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom' Became a Bridge Between Marios |url=https://www.theringer.com/2018/6/19/17476536/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-rare-mario-nintendo-98-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407121933/https://www.theringer.com/2018/6/19/17476536/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-rare-mario-nintendo-98-video-games |archive-date=7 April 2019 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN-e3">{{Cite web |date=19 June 1997 |title=E3: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom rocks E3! |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/19/e3-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-rocks-e3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808104250/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/06/19/e3-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-rocks-e3 |archive-date=8 August 2013 |access-date=8 August 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN-delay">{{Cite web |date=11 September 1997 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Still Delayed |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/11/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-still-delayed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808104450/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/09/11/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-still-delayed |archive-date=8 August 2013 |access-date=8 August 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="UK release">{{Cite web |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-269415.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200129011630/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-269415.html |archive-date=29 January 2020 |access-date=29 January 2020 |website=Nintendo.co.uk}}</ref>

<ref name="JP release">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo 64 Software List 1998 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC3_N641998.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001130847/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC3_N641998.html |archive-date=1 October 2018 |access-date=15 June 2019 |website=Coocan.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

<ref name="US sales">{{Cite web |date=27 December 2007 |title=US Platinum Videogame Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716215431/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=3 August 2008 |website=The Magic Box}}</ref>

<ref name="JP sales">{{Cite web |date=10 April 2008 |title=Nintendo 64 Japanese Ranking |url=http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/n64.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230005328/http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/n64.php |archive-date=30 December 2008 |access-date=24 May 2008 |website=Japan Game Charts}}</ref>

<ref name="ECCSELL Awards">{{Cite web |date=12 February 1999 |title=Milia News; ECCSELL Awards Name Winners |url=http://www.gamespot.com/milia/0212/ecc/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990830171428/http://www.gamespot.com/milia/0212/ecc/index.html |archive-date=30 August 1999 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202061649/http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |archive-date=2 February 2013 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>

<ref name="Interactive Achievement Awards">{{Cite web |title=1999 Interactive Achievement Awards |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/1999_2nd_awards.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726181907/http://www.interactive.org/awards/1999_2nd_awards.asp |archive-date=26 July 2011 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN best graphics">{{Cite web |date=6 February 1999 |title=Best Graphics of 1998 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/06/best-graphics-of-1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808105224/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/06/best-graphics-of-1998 |archive-date=8 August 2013 |access-date=8 August 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN best music">{{Cite web |date=6 February 1999 |title=Best Sound of 1998 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/06/best-sound-of-1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624184542/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/06/best-sound-of-1998 |archive-date=24 June 2014 |access-date=24 June 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Top N64 games">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2000 |title=The Top 25 N64 Games of All Time: #6-10 |url=http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/080/080958p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914062240/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/16/the-top-25-n64-games-of-all-time-6-10 |archive-date=14 September 2012 |access-date=13 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="GamePro">{{Cite magazine |first=Air |last=Hendrix |date=24 November 2000 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113130332/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom/ |archive-date=13 January 2009 |access-date=23 November 2008 |magazine=[[GamePro]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN review"/>

<ref name="GS review"/>

<ref name="Allgame"/>

<ref name="Game Revolution"/>

<ref name="IGN BT review">{{Cite web |first=Fran |last=Mirabella III |date=20 November 2000 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated |url=http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150422p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026235401/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150422p1.html |archive-date=26 October 2009 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="CVG">{{Cite web |first=Andy |last=Robinson |date=17 July 2008 |title=MS sees Banjo as Mario-like 360 mascot |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/193512/ms-sees-banjo-as-mario-like-360-mascot/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808110601/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/193512/ms-sees-banjo-as-mario-like-360-mascot/ |archive-date=8 August 2013 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[Computer and Video Games]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN GR review">{{Cite web |first=Craig |last=Harris |date=12 September 2003 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Grunty's Revenge |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/12/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-gruntys-revenge |access-date=6 October 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006155037/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/12/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-gruntys-revenge |archive-date=6 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN BP review">{{Cite web |first=Craig |last=Harris |date=20 January 2005 |title=Banjo Pilot |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/21/banjo-pilot-2 |access-date=6 October 2018 |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110021219/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/21/banjo-pilot-2 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BKNB ign review">{{Cite web |first=Erik |last=Brudvig |date=5 November 2008 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom: Nuts & Bolts Review |url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/927/927091p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126125400/http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/927/927091p1.html |archive-date=26 January 2009 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN BKXBLA Dated">{{Cite web |first=Ryan |last=Geddes |date=24 September 2008 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Dated For XBLA |url=http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/913/913011p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005227/http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/913/913011p1.html |archive-date=13 July 2011 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA confirmed">{{Cite web |first=Erik |last=Brudvig |date=14 July 2008 |title=E3 2008: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Hops on Live Arcade |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/14/e3-2008-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-hops-on-live-arcade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808110923/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/14/e3-2008-SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-hops-on-live-arcade |archive-date=8 August 2013 |access-date=8 August 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA features">{{Cite web |first=Erik |last=Brudvig |date=25 September 2008 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Hands-on |url=http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/911/911732p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081105170739/http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/911/911732p1.html |archive-date=5 November 2008 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA metacritic">{{Cite web |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021022319/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |archive-date=21 October 2011 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA eurogamer">{{Cite web |first=Kristan |last=Reed |date=25 November 2008 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907235131/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-review |archive-date=7 September 2011 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA worthplaying">{{Cite web |first=Mark |last=Melnychuk |date=21 December 2008 |title=Xbox Live Arcade Review - 'SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom' |url=http://worthplaying.com/article/2008/12/21/reviews/57573/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514014634/http://worthplaying.com/article/2008/12/21/reviews/57573/ |archive-date=14 May 2010 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=Worthplaying}}</ref>

<ref name="BKXBLA ign review">{{Cite web |first=Erik |last=Brudvig |date=6 November 2008 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |url=http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/927/927117p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110135611/http://uk.xboxlive.ign.com/articles/927/927117p1.html |archive-date=10 January 2012 |access-date=14 January 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN Top XBLA">{{Cite web |first=Cam |last=Shea |date=7 May 2009 |title=IGN's Top 10 Xbox Live Arcade Games |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/980/980538p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413173841/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/980/980538p1.html |archive-date=13 April 2012 |access-date=7 August 2009 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="BTXBLA ign review">{{Cite web |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield |date=29 April 2009 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/29/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612183509/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/29/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated-review |archive-date=12 June 2013 |access-date=10 March 2014 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="XONE compatible">{{Cite web |first=Owen S. |last=Good |date=9 November 2015 |title=Xbox One's official backward compatibility list: All 104 games so far |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/11/9/9695712/xbox-one-backward-compatibility-list-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116042334/https://www.polygon.com/2015/11/9/9695712/xbox-one-backward-compatibility-list-games |archive-date=16 January 2021 |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>

<ref name="XONE version">{{Cite web |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=15 June 2015 |title=Rare Replay for Xbox One includes 30 Rare games for $30 (update) |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/15/8783621/rare-replay-xbox-one |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628185752/http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/15/8783621/rare-replay-xbox-one |archive-date=28 June 2015 |access-date=28 June 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref>

<ref name="spiritual successor">{{Cite web |first=Kallie |last=Plagge |date=4 April 2017 |title=Missing notes |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yooka-laylee-review/1900-6416649/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719083151/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yooka-laylee-review/1900-6416649/ |archive-date=19 July 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

<ref name="SR Smash">{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=11 June 2019 |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Will Be Coming To Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://screenrant.com/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-super-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630141157/https://screenrant.com/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-super-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc/ |archive-date=30 June 2019 |access-date=11 June 2019 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>

<ref name="XONE enhanced">{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Lucas |date=20 June 2019 |title=Xbox One X Enhanced games - Every game with 4K resolution, HDR, higher framerates, and more |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/every-xbox-one-x-enhanced-game-4k-hdr-framerates-and-features-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718085056/https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/every-xbox-one-x-enhanced-game-4k-hdr-framerates-and-features-explained/ |archive-date=18 July 2019 |access-date=30 October 2019 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN nintendo top">{{Cite web |date=19 August 1998 |title=Nintendo on Top in UK |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/19/nintendo-on-top-in-uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200129193033/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/19/nintendo-on-top-in-uk |archive-date=29 January 2020 |access-date=29 January 2020 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN banjo rules">{{Cite web |date=30 September 1998 |title=Banjo Rules UK Top 10 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/30/banjo-rules-uk-top-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200129193735/https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/30/banjo-rules-uk-top-10 |archive-date=29 January 2020 |access-date=29 January 2020 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN famitsu charts">{{Cite web |date=7 January 1999 |title=Nintendo Breakthrough in Japan |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/07/nintendo-breakthrough-in-japan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200129194225/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/01/07/nintendo-breakthrough-in-japan |archive-date=29 January 2020 |access-date=29 January 2020 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

<ref name="Switch release">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/01/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom-joins-switch-onlines-expansion-pack-this-week |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Joins Switch Online's Expansion Pack This Week |date=18 January 2022 |access-date=18 January 2022 |last=Doolan |first=Liam |website=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>

<ref name="NLife Switch review">{{cite web |last=Bowskill |first=Thomas |date=20 January 2022 |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=20 February 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131215458/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/n64/SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom |archivedate=31 January 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990430002610/http://www.SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom.com/intro/index.html |date=30 April 1999 |title=Official website }}

{{SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom}}
{{Rare}}


{{SpongeBob SquarePants video games}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Video games|United Kingdom}}
{{Heavy Iron Studios}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:GameCube games]]
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[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
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[[Category:D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]

Revision as of 19:15, 28 April 2023

This article is about the 2003 video game. For the remake, see SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Box art
North American cover art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)THQ
Director(s)Shiraz Akmal
Producer(s)Kristian Davila
Designer(s)Joel Goodsell
Programmer(s)Jason Hoerner
Artist(s)Joffery Black
Composer(s)Jimmy Levine
Robert Crew
Alex Wilkinson
SeriesSpongeBob SquarePants
EngineRenderWare[a]
Platform(s)
Release
  • NA: October 31, 2003[1]
  • EU: November 28, 2003
Genre(s)Platform, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is a platform video game based on the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, developed by Heavy Iron Studios and published by THQ for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Separate versions, developed by Vicarious Visions and AWE Games respectively, were released for the Game Boy Advance and Windows. While the versions released for consoles were 3D platform games, the Windows version of the game is a mini-game compilation, and the Game Boy Advance version was a 2D platformer.

All versions of the game feature an original storyline, in which the player attempts to defend Bikini Bottom from an invasion of robots created by Plankton with a machine called the Duplicatotron 3000, playing as SpongeBob in all versions, as well as Patrick and Sandy in the console versions. The series' voice actors reprise their roles, with the exception of Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs and Ernest Borgnine as Mermaid Man, with both roles instead being voiced by Joe Whyte. The game was released on October 29, 2003,[1] in North America and in Europe on November 28.

Battle for Bikini Bottom received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. Edge included the Game Boy Advance version on its list of top handheld video games of the 21st century. It was a commercial success. The game has gained a cult following and a large speedrunning community presence.

A remake of the home console version, titled SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, was released on June 23, 2020. It was developed by Purple Lamp Studios and published by THQ Nordic for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. It includes an all-new multiplayer mode and cut content from the original game.

Gameplay

Patrick in Goo Lagoon. An enemy G-Love robot can be seen in the background.

Home console versions

The core gameplay involves collecting items and defeating the robots which have attacked different areas in Bikini Bottom while crossing platforms and avoiding environmental hazards like spikes and flames. Some areas require different characters to beat, as each character has unique abilities. The player can control SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy. Switching characters in console versions require the player to find a Bus Stop, upon using which the current character will switch to another, and using it again will switch back to the previous character, giving the player an option of two characters in each level. The default character throughout the game is SpongeBob; Sandy and Patrick do not share any levels as playable characters.

The game is a 3D platform game, requiring players to collect three main types of items. 'Shiny Objects' are the game's currency and can be used to pay tolls within game areas or to buy golden spatulas from Mr. Krabs.[2] 'Golden Spatulas' are used to grant access to new areas, being hidden throughout the game and can also be earned by completing tasks set by Squidward Tentacles and several other characters from the cartoon. Patrick's 'Socks' are also spread throughout the game and he will reward SpongeBob with a Golden Spatula in exchange for 10 of his socks. SpongeBob can also blow bubbles to form different shapes as special attacks/moves which can be used to advance further in the game, and can learn two new bubble moves from Bubble Buddy as the game progresses.[3]

Props are also included in the game. Trampolines help the player bounce to further ledges or platforms, buttons activate certain things throughout the game, and pressure pads are like buttons; however, the effects of it are only active while the player stands on the pressure pad, or there is another object placed on top. Once whatever is holding down the pressure pad is removed, its effects of it are undone. There are also character-specific abilities, such as Sandy being able to swing from Texas hooks, SpongeBob being able to dive downward on a bungee hook, and Patrick's ability to pick up and throw melons called "Throw Fruits" and ice cubes called "Freeze Fruits". Though some areas can be navigated by any character, several sections can only be completed with a specific character, due to each one having unique abilities. SpongeBob can create a bubble helmet for head-butting enemies. Patrick can throw objects at buttons, robots, and pressure pads, and can throw "Freeze Fruits" into the bodies of Goo to freeze them. Finally, Sandy can glide over large gaps and destroy enemies and objects with her lasso.

Windows version

The Windows version features a series of mini-games and greatly differs from the console versions.[4] In the game, SpongeBob's friends have been captured, and to free them, the player must play multiple games while collecting objects, including a game show-style trivia game where he must score 500 points to free the character from the cage. The player then takes control of the freed character in a game where the character locates more objects and battles the robots. Once all items are collected (money, magic shop items, Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy's gadgets, SpongeBob's dressing clothes, and various pieces of a machine), SpongeBob must return the items to their rightful owners.

Game Boy Advance version

The gameplay for the GBA version is much different as well, as it is a 2D platform game. Rather than being non-linear, like the home console versions, the GBA version is level-based, although still visits most of the locations from the home console versions. Combat is much more limited, done through blowing bubbles onto enemies to turn robots off or back on; robots cannot be permanently destroyed, as replacements will appear through a portal in their starting positions, so enemies are used to solving platforming challenges. SpongeBob can ride a seahorse named "Mystery" on certain levels. Like other GBA games of its era, it uses a password system rather than saves.[5]

Plot

Home console versions

In Bikini Bottom, Plankton, the evil genius owner of the Chum Bucket, has built a new machine called the Duplicatotron 3000 to produce an army of robots, which he plans to control to steal the Krabby Patty Secret Formula.[6] After creating them, he realizes that the switch on the Duplicatotron has accidentally been set to "Don't Obey". This leads the robots to seize control of the Chum Bucket out of Plankton and wreak havoc all over Bikini Bottom.[7]

Meanwhile, SpongeBob and Patrick are playing with toy robots and horses. SpongeBob and Patrick are bored with the toys and wish they could play with real robots. Patrick uses his "magic wishing shell", believing it will make their wish come true the following morning. SpongeBob wakes to find that his house has been trashed by real robots. He receives a fax from Mr. Krabs, stating that he would give SpongeBob a Golden Spatula for every certain amount of Shiny Objects he collects for him. Shiny Objects must be collected to open or activate various tolls throughout the game. Outside, SpongeBob finds a disappointed Plankton, who lies and claims that the robots appeared suddenly and kicked him out. Plankton convinces SpongeBob to help him back into the Chum Bucket by embarking on a perilous quest to find golden spatulas and get rid of the robots, secretly intending to regain control of them once back inside.

Every area in the game has a unique set of missions to collect Golden Spatulas including a main overarching mission. SpongeBob travels to Jellyfish Fields, where he finds that Squidward has been stung by jellyfish. He manages to defeat King Jellyfish in a battle and obtains some of his jelly for Squidward's stings. SpongeBob also helps Mrs. Puff by locating stolen steering wheels in Downtown Bikini Bottom, stolen paintings in Rock Bottom, and missing students in the Kelp Forest. King Neptune calls SpongeBob and Patrick to the Poseidome to defeat Robot Sandy. He then goes to the Mermalair, where he fights Prawn, one of Mermaid Man's archenemies. He also helps Mermaidman and Barnacle Boy several other times throughout the game. Other quests include completing tasks for Larry the Lobster, his pet snail Gary, and the Flying Dutchman, in other areas like Goo Lagoon, Sand Mountain, and the Dutchman's Graveyard (where Sandy beats the Dutchman in a fight). Later, SpongeBob and Sandy save Squidward from Robot Patrick.

SpongeBob then falls asleep, allowing him to enter his friends' dream worlds to search for more golden spatulas. After Plankton, SpongeBob, and his friends finally gain access to the Chum Bucket, they discover the gigantic Robot SpongeBob and learn that Plankton was responsible for making the robots. Plankton sets the switch on the Duplicatotron to "Obey" (by placing an Obey sign over the don't obey setting), only to find out Robot Plankton has been controlling the robots instead. Robot Plankton remarks to SpongeBob that he has interfered in his plans for the last time, simply stating “SpongeBob, meet SpongeBob”. SpongeBob attempts to disable Robot SpongeBob's brain from the inside while fending off frequent attacks from Robot Plankton. Upon succeeding, SpongeBob hopes that Plankton learned his "lesson". The Duplicatotron produces several more Robot Planktons, which begin arguing among themselves. The game ends after SpongeBob says that their work is not done, as there are still many robots running amok in the city.

The game then cuts to The Spongeball Arena, where the player rolls around in ball form in a large arena, while the credits roll on the screen. If the player collects all 100 golden spatulas, the game ends with a special surprise cutscene of all the game's characters singing the theme song.

Game Boy Advance and Windows versions

In the Windows game, SpongeBob and Patrick have a robot tea party with toy robots and SpongeBob wishes upon "the first falling clam" that robots "were people too". The next day, Bikini Bottom gets attacked by an army of robots. Patrick, Sandy, Gary, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs are captured by robots and locked inside cages. SpongeBob works his way through Bikini Bottom, the Flying Dutchman's Graveyard, the Kelp Forest, the Chum Bucket, and the Mermalair to locate his friends and various objects stolen by the robots. After all locations' games are played, a video is unlocked for the end of the game where SpongeBob and Patrick discover that Plankton was the one behind the robot invasion. Plankton admits that it was his fault and that the robots are not listening to him and the only way to control the robots is to set the switch to "obey" mode. Instead, Patrick fools around with the machine, accidentally pulling its obey switch off, which turns off the machine and deprograms the robots. After SpongeBob and Patrick leave, Plankton tries to tell them that he will be back with another plan.

The Game Boy Advance version is a 2D platform game with four chapters, each containing seven levels, all of which have their own unique puzzles. In the game, Mr. Krabs thinks the robot invasion is putting him out of business, so his assignment for SpongeBob is to fight the robots to get into the Chum Bucket to shut down Plankton's Duplicatron.

Reception

SpongeBob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregation Metacritic.[12][13][14] The game holds a 4.5 out of 5 from the Official PlayStation Magazine.[17] IGN rated the game a 7.3 out of 10, praising the sound, graphical style, and gameplay, saying, "While its generic collect, jump, and kill mechanics, the variety and general SpongeBob zaniness keep things fresh."[3] GMR magazine gave a review score of 8/10, they gave praise to the game's camera system as being solid and adjustable and noting how the comic humor holds the standard platforming elements in place concluding “Like Bob himself, this game holds its water and is, in fact, remarkably fun.”[18] More harshly, NGC Magazine's Rob Pegley lamented that the game "manages to combine the hideous touchy-feel values of the programme with a poor plot, badly designed levels, ... some awful collision detection ... awful music and poor humour."[15]

The game has won numerous awards, including favorite video game at the 2004 Kids' Choice Awards,[19] and entered the Player's Choice, Platinum Hits, and Greatest Hits for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 respectively.[20]

The Game Boy Advance version sold an estimated 710,000 copies,[21] while the PlayStation 2 version sold an estimated 880,000.[22] In 2006, Edge magazine ranked the Game Boy Advance version at number 34 on its list of "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games", while placing the PlayStation 2 version at number 67 on its list of "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century", both lists arranged by the number of copies sold.[21][22]

Remake

Main article: SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated

Years after the game's releases, it has gained a cult following, positive reappraisal from contemporary critics, and a large speedrunning presence,[23][24] with Heavy Iron Studios expressing interest in a remake or sequel, as well as requests from the game's fans for a remake.[25] This was granted nearly two decades after the game's original release, with the announcement of Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated on June 5, 2019, ahead of E3 2019, albeit by a different developer from the original game. The remake was developed by Purple Lamp Studios and published by THQ Nordic and features an all-new multiplayer mode and content that was cut from the original game.[26][27] The remake was released 1 year later on June 23, 2020.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ Home console adaptation only.
  1. ^ a b Scott, Jonathan (October 29, 2003). "Bikini Bottoms Off!". IGN. Archived from the original on April 6, 2004. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Bedigian, Louis (December 2, 2008). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c Irwin, Mary Jane (October 30, 2003). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom". IGN. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Beley, Christopher. "Cybernet Resources - (GBA) SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Review". CybernetResources.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Heavy Iron Studios (October 2003). SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom. THQ. Plankton: Today's the big day. I have devised an ingenious plan to finally steal the Krabby Patty formula. If Bikini Bottom happens to get demolished in the process, oh well. With my brand new Duplicatotron 3000. I'll clone an army of robots that will wreak mayhem and destruction at my command.
  7. ^ Heavy Iron Studios (October 2003). SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom. THQ. Plankton: Okay checklist complete throw on the switch. Welcome my perfectly obedient robot army. Hang on. I want to get a photo for my scrapbook... Hey. Hello? What do you think you're doing? Oh. No. No. No. Wait, wait, but i'm your master. I made you. No! No! My good China!
  8. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for GameCube". GameRankings. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  10. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  11. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Pegley, Rob (January 2004). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom". NGC Magazine. No. 89. p. 55. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Rees, David (January 2004). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom". Official Xbox Magazine. No. 27. p. 74.
  17. ^ Gander, Matt (June 9, 2019). "What did critics say about SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom in 2003?". GamesAsylum. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  18. ^ Orlando, Greg (January 2004). Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom GMR Review. United States: Ziff Davis. p. 86. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  19. ^ "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Press Site". Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Nickelodeon. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  20. ^ Hills, Calabasas. "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Goes Greatest Hits". Business Wire. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  21. ^ a b "The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games". Edge. August 2, 2006. Archived from the original on September 20, 2008.
  22. ^ a b "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Edge. July 29, 2006. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010.
  23. ^ Winkie, Luke (September 25, 2019). "Inside the wild speedrunning community of 16-year-old SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 21, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  24. ^ Gach, Ethan (May 21, 2017). "SpongeBob Speedrunner Won't Rest Until Battle For Bikini Bottom Gets The Respect It Deserves". Kotaku. Archived from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "Heavy Iron Studios, Inc". www.facebook.com. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  26. ^ SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated - Announcement Teaser. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021.
  27. ^ "(Update) SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom getting remastered for PC and consoles". June 5, 2019.
  28. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated - SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated releases on June 23 - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. April 16, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.

External links

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