SpongeBob Moves In
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
- Price: $3.99 (with in-app purchases)
- Category: Simulation Games
Common Sense Media says
Build your own Bikini Bottom, but beware in-app buys.
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
- Price: $3.99 (with in-app purchases)
- Category: Simulation Games
SpongeBob Moves In gallery
What parents need to know
Ease of play
Violence & scariness
Sexy stuff
Language
Consumerism
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Privacy & safety
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that SpongeBob Moves In is a city-building simulation game that is based on the popular cartoon. Players complete an endless stream of tasks and build out their towns, using in-game cash. This is easily earned, but the time to build projects increases exponentially as the game progresses, which makes paying real money for these upgrades more tempting. There's no objectionable content or rude jokes, which are common in SpongeBob products, but the push for in-app purchases is noteworthy. Players on iOS devices can share scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.
What kids can learn
What Kids Can Learn
SpongeBob Moves In wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.
User reviews
Parents say
Kids say
What's it about?
Players are regularly tasked with challenges -- whether it's collecting rent or making five Krabby Patties -- and must tap on the appropriate building to do so. Each building has only a limited number of open slots for cooking or building items. To use other slots, players must pay to unlock them. Feeding characters what they want at just the right time results in bonuses, which range from more cash or starfish (which help you level up) to secret recipes. As the game moves into higher levels, players attempt to expand Bikini Bottom from a tiny town to one with a thriving population that is seen in the show.
Is it any good?
QUALITY
SPONGEBOB MOVES IN doesn't break any new ground as a city-building app, but overall gameplay is solid. Unfortunately, the game also is plagued with an in-app purchase model that borders on greedy, especially since players must pay $3.99 to download the app in the first place. Once you've sunk an hour or two into the game, the build times for anything of note become significant. That might be fine for players who only check in once or twice a day, but those players won't build a city anytime soon. To succeed otherwise, you'll almost have to spend money.
SpongeBob fans may appreciate the animated shorts as well as the use of the show's voice actors -- but there are only a few small vocal phrases repeated again and again. There are plenty of free city-builder games that follow this same formula, so, unless you're a die-hard SpongeBob fan, you're better off with one of those.
Families can talk about...
Families can talk about in-app purchases and whether it's OK to use real money to buy things in this game.
Families also can talk about saving, budgeting, and spending, which kids get a taste of playing this game.
App details
| Devices: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire |
| Price: | $3.99 (with in-app purchases) |
| Pricing structure: | Paid |
| Release date: | June 11, 2013 |
| Category: | Simulation Games |
| Size: | 333.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Nickelodeon |
| Version: | 2.00 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.3 or later |
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QUALITY
Funny and fun
I love this app. In SpongeBob Moves In, you can build, be a waitress, cook and more! Players can level up and unlock more things. Easy to play/use: The game isn't so easy to use because you can accidently tap on things. Sex: Includes jokes from the show. Consumerism: In-app purchases do not last long depending on your level. Safety and privacy concerns: Encourages players to add each other on Game Center, and Game Center will reveal the first and last name on the Apple ID.
What other families should know
Too much consumerism
Safety and privacy concerns
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