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SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is a single-player 3D platformer built around the show’s characters, humor, and imaginative settings. It is an appealing pick for SpongeBob fans, but critic reception is mixed rather than universally glowing. Choose an edition based on the hardware you own and whether portability or the newer-console additions matter to you; the available evidence does not establish which version performs best.
What is SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake?
Developed by Purple Lamp and published by THQ Nordic, The Cosmic Shake sends SpongeBob and Patrick through portals opened by Mermaid’s Tears. The portals lead to themed Wishworlds, including Wild West Jellyfish Fields and Halloween Rock Bottom. Steam lists the game’s original release date as January 31, 2023. Steam’s listing and the official game page describe a platforming adventure featuring familiar series characters and music from the show.
Players navigate the worlds with moves such as the Fishhook Swing and Karate Kick. The publisher highlights seven Wishworlds and more than 30 costumes. Those features give the adventure a clear SpongeBob identity; they do not, on their own, establish how challenging or varied the platforming will feel to every player.
Is The Cosmic Shake worth playing?
Metacritic’s snapshot retrieved on October 8, 2026, labels critic reception “Mixed or Average”: a 70 Metascore from 38 critic reviews, comprising 12 positive, 26 mixed, and zero negative reviews. Its user-score snapshot is 7.7 from 154 ratings. These are changing review-aggregate figures, not a vote from every critic or player. Metacritic’s game page provides the cited snapshot.
#1 Best Overall
- Unlock classic and new platforming skills like the Fishhook Swing and Karate Kick
- Don more than 30 F.U.N.tastic costumes like SnailBob and SpongeGar
- Travel to 7 distinct Wishworlds like Wild West Jellyfish Fields and Halloween Rock Bottom
- Experience all the buddy movie banter with SpongeBob's permanent companion Balloon-Patrick
- Meet all your favorite Bikini Bottomites from the series, voiced by their original actors
The excerpts on that page illustrate why the response is not unanimous. Power Unlimited praised the game as “a colorful, creative and funny platformer” and highlighted its appeal to SpongeBob fans. Another excerpt describes the game as a setback compared with Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. Daily Star called it “Ideal for kids” and praised the potential for parents and children to take turns playing. These are individual outlet opinions, not a consensus on every aspect of the game.
That makes the strongest case for The Cosmic Shake its character-led adventure: familiar faces, show-inspired worlds, costumes, and a playful platforming premise. Readers looking for a platformer first and a SpongeBob game second should weigh the mixed critic response rather than treating the premise or aggregate score as a guarantee of fit.
Rank #2
- Whether you're revisiting the classic Battle for Bikini Bottom or taking on the cosmic chaos in Cosmic Shake, this bundle is packed with everything that makes SpongeBob games so much fun—platforming, humor, colorful worlds, and a whole lot of heart.
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated: Play as SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy as you defeat the evil Plankton from carrying out his diabolical plans. Save the residents of Bikini Bottom with each character's unique abilities such as mighty bubbles and underpants bungee jumps!
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Cosmic Shake: Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could possibly go wrong? Sure, the very fabric holding the very universe very together could come very undone, opening up portals into Wishworlds full of knights, cowboys, pirates, and prehistoric snails. But that’s nothing everyone’s favorite sponge can’t handle - with the right cosmic costume! Everybody do the Cosmic Shake!
Is it a good SpongeBob game?
For fans who want to spend time in recognizable corners of the series, the Wishworld concept gives the game a natural way to remix its settings. The official materials emphasize themed worlds, characters, platforming abilities, costumes, and music from the show. The positive excerpts specifically point to colorful, creative presentation and humor.
Those elements make it a plausible choice for series fans and families interested in a character-led platformer. One Metacritic-listed review describes it as a solid game for series fans and an introduction to platforming for young players, while the Daily Star excerpt highlights parent-child gamepad swapping. These remain reviewer assessments; the evidence here does not establish a particular age rating or guarantee that every child will find it suitable.
Rank #3
- All New DLC - Hey, Fry Cooks, welcome to New Kelp City, SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off’s comic book convention themed third world! Get cooking and show off your skills behind the grill as you deliver delicious dishes and defeat E.V.I.L villains in 5 Super Powered new restaurants! The physical edition also includes Costume Pack 1 DLC with 4 bonus costumes.
- Fun and Fast-Paced Cooking - Cook and serve up delicious food including Krabby Patties, pancakes, BBQ and more! Get behind the grill as SpongeBob SquarePants to provide speedy service to the residents of Bikini Bottom. You’ll serve tons of familiar faces like Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward and many more! Keep your customers happy and be rewarded with tips, likes and exciting bonuses! Start as a junior fry cook and train to become one of Bikini Bottom’s premier fast-food chefs!
- Explore the World of SpongeBob SquarePants - Grill up delicious Krabby Patties in the Krusty Krab, Steaks and Ribs in Sandy’s Treedome, Hot Dogs in Weenie Hut Jr’s and much more as you explore familiar restaurants and new kitchens in Bikini Bottom, Goo Lagoon and beyond! New restaurants and cuisines are added regularly, bringing new cooking challenges and recipes to learn!
- Collect and Customize - Unlock your favorite characters from SpongeBob SquarePants and dress them in amazing outfits inspired by the show! Create your own custom avatar for the game and interact with the costumed characters as they explore Bikini Bottom.
- Hilarious Storyline - Experience an all-new and exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants story featuring SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy and Patrick. Play through the hilarious storyline as you progress through the game and unlock new levels.
How does it compare with Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated?
The available review excerpts include a critic who considers The Cosmic Shake a setback compared with Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated. That is one reviewer’s comparison, not proof that the earlier game is better for every player or on every measure. The evidence here does not provide a like-for-like comparison of level design, length, controls, or performance, so it cannot support a definitive ranking between the two.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platform edition should you choose?
The game is listed for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. There is no benchmarked comparison here for resolution, frame rate, loading times, or stability, so platform choice should be based on your existing hardware and how you want to play rather than an unsupported claim that one edition runs better.
Rank #4
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Unlock classic and new platforming skills like the Fishhook Swing and Karate Kick
- Meet all your favorite Bikini Bottomites from the series, voiced by their original actors
- Experience all the buddy movie banter with SpongeBob's permanent companion Balloon-Patrick
| Platform choice | Why it may suit you | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Choose it if you prefer playing on a computer and already own compatible hardware. | No system-requirement or performance comparison is established here; check the current store listing for details. |
| Nintendo Switch | The listed portable-console option, useful if you want to play away from a TV. | Portability is the practical distinction established here; no performance comparison with other editions is available. |
| PS4 or Xbox One | Suitable if one of these is the console you already own. | Check the relevant regional storefront for the specific edition and current availability. |
| PS5 or Xbox Series X|S | Consider these if you own a newer console and want the publisher-described additions. | THQ Nordic says this version includes photo mode, additional costumes, and overall game improvements; these are publisher-described features, not independent performance findings. |
THQ Nordic’s announcement about the newer console version describes its additions but does not establish measured improvements in frame rate, resolution, loading, or stability. Read the publisher’s next-generation announcement, and confirm the exact edition in your territory before buying. Store prices, stock, and availability can change; no current retailer price or inventory is established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- THIS IS PATRICK! - Create hilarious mayhem in the open world of Bikini Bottom
- FUN WITH PHYSICS - Take things and push them somewhere else. Physics!
- ICONIC STYLES – Unlock classic Patrick outfits with your crazy stunts and collectibles
- EVERYONE'S HERE - Get silly with SpongeBob, Squidward, Sandy, and more
What should you know before buying?
- Buy for the right reason: the clearest fit is a SpongeBob fan or someone interested in a character-led 3D platformer.
- Set expectations using the full picture: Metacritic’s critic snapshot is mixed or average, even though some listed reviewers praise the humor, creative presentation, or family appeal.
- Match the version to your setup: select a platform you own, with Switch offering the listed portable-console option.
- Verify the edition and price: storefront listings and prices vary by territory and can change; check the seller’s current page before purchase.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
