Spongebob Squarepants: Supersponge

(THQ for PlayStation)
by Shane Yeager

What happens when game manufacturers figure out that the young kids watching Nickelodeon today have never even heard of Sonic the Hedgehog? The youngsters see clones of the old games starring Mario and Earthworm Jim repackaged with today’s cartoon stars. This is why games like Spongebob Squarepants: Supersponge are made. The undersea world of the Nickelodeon show is brought to life in all its two dimensional glory. All of Spongebob’s friends and acquaintances are here, from his best friend Patrick Star to the ubiquitous crotchety neighbor, Squidward. Nothing in the game is particularly new or original, but if a parent is looking for a harmless game with simple side-scrolling action, you wouldn’t go wrong with the Sponge. Plus, parents should remember the mantra of my generation of video game junkies, “But, they help develop hand-eye coordination!” Plop your kids in front of the PlayStation long enough, mommies and daddies, and maybe you too can have fat-assed children who can get to level twelve without losing a life, but can’t reach the top of a flight of stairs without needing an oxygen mask. At least the kid will have good hand-eye coordination.
(www.thq.com)