Nicktoons Unite!

Last updated
Nicktoons Unite!
Nicktoons Unite!.jpg
North American GameCube cover art
Developer(s) Blue Tongue Entertainment (PS2, GC)
Climax Action (GBA, DS)
Publisher(s) THQ
Director(s) Kevin Chan
Designer(s) Trevor Gamon
Nick Hagger
Drew Morrow
Programmer(s) Alister Hatt
Artist(s) Julian Lamont
Composer(s) Stephan Schütze
(PS2, GC)
Matthew Simmonds
(GBA, DS)
SeriesNicktoons Unite!
SpongeBob SquarePants
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance
ReleaseGameCube, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2
  • NA: October 26, 2005 [1]
  • PAL: March 3, 2006
Nintendo DS
  • NA: January 10, 2006
  • PAL: March 3, 2006
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Nicktoons Unite! (also known as SpongeBob SquarePants and Friends: Unite! in PAL regions) is a 2005 action-adventure video game featuring characters and levels from SpongeBob SquarePants , Danny Phantom , The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius , and The Fairly OddParents . The game was developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment (PS2, GC) and Climax Action (GBA, DS) and published by THQ. An Xbox version was also announced but was never released. [2]

Contents

In the game, the player can control SpongeBob SquarePants, Jimmy Neutron, Timmy Turner, and Danny Phantom as they work together to stop an evil plan concocted by villains from each character's series.

Gameplay

In the console version, all four characters are on-screen at the same time. The player has the option to switch between them, with the non-selected characters being automatically controlled. The console version also offers multiplayer, where up to four players can control and switch between the characters as well. Each character has several abilities for specific situations, such as SpongeBob's pillar-destroying Bubble Bombs, Danny's glass-breaking Ghostly Wail, Timmy's water-freezing Freeze Glove, and Jimmy's long-range Neutron Flare. Jimmy's dog Goddard can be found in all four worlds, including the level that takes place inside himself, to upgrade the player's weapons and abilities.

The Nintendo DS version is a 3D platformer where the player controls one of the four characters at a time, which can be selected at any moment via the touchscreen. The Game Boy Advance version is a 2D platformer in which the player must alternate between the two characters given at the beginning of the level in order to progress. It uses pre-rendered 3D sprites based on the models of the Nintendo DS version.

Plot

The game opens with SpongeBob discovering that Plankton is taking over Bikini Bottom with gigantic vacuum machines. Goddard exits a portal behind SpongeBob's house, and displays a message to him from Jimmy Neutron. Following Goddard through the portal, he meets Jimmy Neutron, Timmy Turner, and Danny Phantom in Jimmy's lab. Jimmy coats SpongeBob with self-regenerating moisture to keep him from dehydrating outside of water. Jimmy explains that his latest invention, the Universe Portal Machine, has been copied by Professor Calamitous, who has formed a Syndicate with Plankton, Vlad Plasmius, and Denzel Crocker, and are already stealing energy from their worlds.

SpongeBob andthe Nicktoons attempt to teleport into Casper High, but arrive in Vlad's castle, where he reveals that his ghost portal is siphoning energy from the Ghost Zone, and has captured Danny's parents. Vlad knocks the group out and imprisons them in the Ghost Zone Prison. Befriending the Box Ghost, the heroes escape after defeating Walker. Danny leads the heroes to the Fenton Works ghost portal, and meet Sam Manson and Tucker Foley. Upon returning to the castle, the gang destroy the portal's generators. Danny possesses his father and uses his Ghost Gauntlets to pummel Vlad, but ends up escaping.

The heroes' then travel to Bikini Bottom, using Jimmy's air gum to breathe underwater. Sandy sends them to Jellyfish Fields to meet Patrick, but is sucked into a jellyfish-capturing harvester. After destroying the harvesters, the group find themselves on the Flying Dutchman's ship. Danny persuades him to let them go in exchange for bringing back his old crewmates. Upon arriving at the Chum Bucket, they free Patrick and the jellyfish. On the roof, they battle Plankton piloting a gigantic robotic crab to rescue Mr. Krabs, and learn that the villains have been extracting energy to power a Doomsday Machine.

In Dimmsdale, SpongeBob and the Nicktoons infiltrate and shut down the power to Crocker's golden fortress. They then head to Fairy World, where they encounter Jorgen von Strangle, free the fairies, and defeat Crocker piloting an exosuit at The Big Wand.

The group then return to Jimmy's lab and meet Cindy Vortex. Jimmy then realizes that Calamitous has planted a flea-bot in Goddard to spy on him. The heroes use Jimmy's shrink ray to shrink down to enter Goddard, defeat the flea-bot, and hack it to locate Calamitous' lair. The heroes defeat the Syndicate, and SpongeBob unplugs the Doomsday Machine, thus, saving the Nicktoon universes all thanks to him. With Calamitous in prison, Jimmy gives the heroes each a Neutronic Recaller in case of a future incident, and they part ways.

Reception

All versions of the game received generally mixed reviews, being mostly criticized for the monotony of the gameplay. In an IGN review, Mark Bozon gave the DS version of the game 5/10 stars, stating the crossover concept had been done "far better in previous games." [9] In a more positive review for the PlayStation 2 version, Gamezone opined that "while somewhat repetitious, the linear design and simple control schemes will draw players along and it is not hard to work through the levels." [6] Review aggregator Metacritic gave the PlayStation 2 version of the game a score of 53 out of 100 based on 8 reviews. [3]

Sequels

The game has spawned three sequels: Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island (2006), Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots (2007), and SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom (2008).

Related Research Articles

<i>The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour</i> Nickelodeon television specials

The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour is an American trilogy of crossover television specials between the animated television series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and The Fairly OddParents and consisting of The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 2: When Nerds Collide! and The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators!. The episodes premiered on Nickelodeon between 2004 and 2006, and were subsequently released to home video. They combine multiple types of animation, using 2D computer animation for the segments set in the Fairly OddParents universe and 3D computer animation for the Jimmy Neutron segments. The events of the crossover take place during the second and third seasons of The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and during the fourth and fifth seasons of The Fairly OddParents.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab</i> 2006 video game

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab is an action-adventure platform game released for Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and Wii by THQ. An Xbox version may have been planned at some point, but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The PS2, GameCube, and Wii versions are all ports of the same game developed by Blitz Games, while the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PC versions were separate games developed by WayForward Technologies and AWE Games respectively. It is based on the Nickelodeon animated sitcom SpongeBob SquarePants, and stars the title character, his best friend Patrick Star and their enemy Plankton as they journey to nine different worlds, supposedly inside the dreams of the characters. The Wii version was a North American launch title. It is also the first SpongeBob game released in Japan, but was released under the title SpongeBob, to mark it as the first video game in the SpongeBob series to have a Japanese release. The PC version of the game is titled SpongeBob SquarePants: Nighty Nightmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast</span> Defunct simulator ride

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast was a simulator ride at Universal Studios Florida that replaced The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera based on the 2001 movie Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and it is set to take place after the events of the film. The storyline revolves around Ooblar, from the Yolkian planet that has stolen Jimmy's newest rocket creation, the Mark IV. Jimmy, along with his best friend Carl and robot dog, Goddard, invite the audience to give chase in other rockets through the worlds and sound stages of the Nicktoons.

<i>Jimmy Neutron vs. Jimmy Negatron</i> 2002 video game

Jimmy Neutron vs. Jimmy Negatron is a video game for Microsoft Windows and Game Boy Advance. In the game, the player plays as Jimmy Neutron as he tries to stop his evil doppelganger, Jimmy Negatron, from his evil deeds. It was published by THQ and Nick Games and developed by AWE Games (PC) and Human Soft (GBA). The PC version contains a demo for SpongeBob SquarePants: Employee of the Month which was released around the same time.

<i>Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island</i> 2006 action-adventure video game

Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island is an action-adventure video game developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment, Halfbrick (GBA), Natsume (DS), published by THQ, and it is the sequel to the 2005 video game Nicktoons Unite!. The game was first released on October 24, 2006.

<i>Nicktoons: Freeze Frame Frenzy</i> 2004 video game

Nicktoons: Freeze Frame Frenzy is a video game for the Game Boy Advance based on various Nicktoons. The game was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. The gameplay is similar to that of Gekibo: Gekisha Boy, a PC Engine game about a photographer with cartoony graphics. A prototype of the cancelled PlayStation 2 version of the game, Nicktoons: Snap Shot, was discovered in 2021.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman</i> 2002 video game

SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman is a 2002 platform game based on the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, developed by Vicarious Visions and BigSky Interactive, Inc. and published by THQ for the GameCube and PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance. It was the last game to be developed by BigSky Interactive, Inc. The game was released in North America in late 2002, while in Europe it was released in early 2003. The Game Boy Advance version was also released on a Twin Pack cartridge bundled with SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge in 2005.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge</i> 2001 video game

SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge is a 2001 2.5D platform game developed by Climax Development and published by THQ. The game is based on the Nickelodeon cartoon series of the same name. It was released for the PlayStation on September 20, 2001, and for the Game Boy Advance on November 8, 2001.

<i>Nicktoons Racing</i> 2000 video game

Nicktoons Racing is a Nickelodeon crossover racing video game. The game was first developed by Pipe Dream and released for the Game Boy Color, while versions for different platforms were released in subsequent years. Most versions were developed by Software Creations with the exception of the Game Boy Advance version, which was developed by Crawfish Interactive, and the arcade version, which was developed by Chicago Gaming.

<i>Nicktoons Winners Cup Racing</i> 2006 video game

Nicktoons Winners Cup Racing is an racing game developed by American studio Pronto Games, Inc. and published by ValuSoft, with THQ. It was released on February 15, 2006, in the United States, exclusively for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is the second racing game released in the Nicktoons series, succeeding Nicktoons Racing and preceding Nicktoons Nitro, and features characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Danny Phantom, and The Fairly OddParents.

<i>Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots</i> 2007 action-adventure video game

Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots is an action-adventure video game published by THQ for the Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2. The game was first released in North America on October 23, 2007. then in Europe on November 9, 2007. The game was developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment for the Wii and PlayStation 2 versions, Natsume Co., Ltd. for the Nintendo DS version and Firemint for the Game Boy Advance version.

<i>SpongeBobs Atlantis SquarePantis</i> (video game) 2007 video game

SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis is a 2007 video game based on the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, specifically the Atlantis SquarePantis TV movie even though it came out about a month after the game was released. The Wii and PlayStation 2 versions were developed by Blitz Games. The Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS versions were developed by Altron. It was followed by Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, this was the last SpongeBob SquarePants game to be released on the Game Boy Advance console.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants Featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom</i> 2008 action-adventure video game

SpongeBob SquarePants Featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom is a 2008 Action-adventure video game, a sequel to Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, and the fourth and final installment in the Nicktoons Unite! series. Characters from The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Danny Phantom, SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, and Tak and the Power of Juju appear. The original developers of the previous games for consoles, Blue Tongue Entertainment, did not return to create this installment.

<i>Nicktoons Nitro</i> 2009 Single and Multiplayer video game

Nicktoons Nitro is a racing game which is a sequel to Nicktoons Racing and Nicktoons Winners Cup Racing. It features Nicktoons characters from the SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, The Fairly OddParents, Invader Zim, and Avatar: The Last Airbender franchises. The game was released in August 2008 as an arcade game by developer Raw Thrills.

<i>Nicktoons MLB</i> Nickelodeon video game

Nicktoons MLB is a baseball video game released for the Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS platforms. The game was developed by High Voltage Software and published by 2K in 2011. It features playable characters from Nickelodeon shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Invader Zim, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Danny Phantom, Planet Sheen, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Fanboy & Chum Chum, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and two characters that only appear in the 3DS version, one which is from The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, and the other from the Nickelodeon game Monkey Quest. Characters from Rugrats, Rocko's Modern Life, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Hey Arnold!, The Angry Beavers, CatDog, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, Back at the Barnyard, and The Mighty B! make cameo appearances in the game's loading screens. In addition to Nickelodeon characters, the game also features players from real Major League Baseball teams.

<i>Nicktoons Movin</i> 2004 video game

Nicktoons Movin' is a party video game developed by Mass Media and published by THQ released in 2004. It features characters from the shows SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom, Rocket Power, The Fairly OddParents, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. The game requires the EyeToy accessory to play.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> video games Licensed video games based on the SpongeBob SquarePants television series

The SpongeBob SquarePants video game series is a collection of video games and arcade games based on the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants and its film series with the same name. The television series' massive rise in popularity during the 2000s led to a myriad of video games that span different genres. Several of these games are based on concepts from specific episodes, two of which are based on theatrical releases. Some of these titles had multiple different versions developed for a variety of home consoles and handheld consoles. Until 2013, the vast majority of titles were published by THQ. From 2013 to 2015, the license for most titles was handed to Activision. The license is currently held by THQ Nordic. Video games based on the series have often received mixed reviews from critics, yet many of these titles have performed well in sales.

<i>Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway</i> 2022 video game

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway is a racing game developed by Bamtang Games and published by GameMill Entertainment. It is the third entry in the Nickelodeon Kart Racers series, following Nickelodeon Kart Racers (2018) and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix (2020). Like its predecessors, Slime Speedway is based around characters from various Nickelodeon animated series, known as "Nicktoons", participating in kart races and attempting to defeat their opponents. The game was released on October 14, 2022 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

<i>Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2</i> 2023 video game

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is a 2023 crossover fighting game developed by Fair Play Labs and published by GameMill Entertainment. It is the sequel to Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (2021) and part of the Nickelodeon Super Brawl series. The game was released on November 7, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

References

  1. ↑ Harris, Craig (2005-08-22). "Updated Release List for GBA". IGN. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  2. ↑ Thorsen, Tor (May 5, 2004). "THQ to Destroy All Humans! at E3". GameSpot. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Nicktoons Unite! Playstation 2". Metacritic . Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  4. ↑ "Nicktoons Unite! DS". Metacritic .
  5. ↑ Navarro, Alex (25 June 2007). "Nicktoons Unite! Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  6. 1 2 jkdmedia (4 May 2012). "Nicktoons Unite! – PS2 – Review". GameZone. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  7. ↑ jkdmedia (4 May 2012). "Nicktoons Unite! – GBA – Review". GameZone. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  8. ↑ jkdmedia (4 May 2012). "Nicktoons Unite! – NDS – Review". GameZone. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  9. 1 2 Bozon, Mark (6 July 2006). "Nicktoons Unite!". IGN . Retrieved 15 February 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.