Published , by Donovan Erskine
Published , by Donovan Erskine
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom holds a special corner of nostalgia in the hearts of countless kids who grew up in the early 2000’s. Originally released for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, this 3D platformer puts players in the shoes of some of the shows most iconic characters as they embark on a mission to save Bikini Bottom from Plankton’s evil plan. 17 years after its initial launch, the cult classic is getting a full-on remake for the current generation of consoles.
Note that Battle for Bikini Bottom is a complete remake, not a remaster. In the interview below, Purple Lamp studios talked to us about having to design the new game from the ground up. “Engines have changed… so we’re building everything from scratch on Unreal Engine 4.” Programmers at Purple Lamp weren't able to use any of the code from the original game because it’s simply too old to rework.
When remaking a game with such a dedicated fanbase, developers can feel like they’re walking on thin ice trying to appease said fans. Purple Lamp studios took much care into making sure that Rehydrated felt as close to the original game as possible. The devs played Battle for Bikini Bottom over and over when working on Rehydrated, and this attention to detail should be apparent when fans get their hands on the game. While they stayed true to the game’s core, there were some key quality of life improvements made. Better movement and camera controls will help to keep Battle for Bikini Bottom feel and play like a modern game.
If you’re ready to dive back into the world of Nickelodeon’s most recognizable character, SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated is set to release on PC, XB1. and PS4 in 2020. Subscribe to Shacknews’ and GamerHubTV’s Youtube channels for more exclusive gameplay and interviews.