Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Average runner game retread has lots of in-app purchases.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run
What's It About?
As with most endless-runner games, there's a threadbare plot to SPONGEBOB: SPONGE ON THE RUN. You run, trying to dodge obstacles and collect coins, swiping up to jump or down to slide. Swiping side to side lets you switch lanes. And, after picking up enough cotton-candy icons, SpongeBob will transform into Super SpongeBob, who can knock through any obstacle in his path.
Is It Any Good?
SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run may have a familiar set of characters, but it has an even more familiar style of gameplay -- and the app does nothing to make it unique. Young kids may enjoy the endless runner and occasional power-ups, but any tween, teen, or adult who isn't obsessed with the character will quickly get a "been there, done that" feeling. The heavy use of in-app purchases combined with a much-too-high price tag make this not worth the buy. There are better choices for kids who love SpongeBob.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how varied types of media handle the same content in different ways. How is SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run different from the movie?
Ask your kids why they want to play: Was it the game itself or SpongeBob that made you want to play? Would you like the game if SpongeBob weren't in it?
Explore what your kids know about the ocean and its creatures. Are any of the characters in the game realistic?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : January 22, 2015
- Genre : Arcade Games
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Publisher : Nickelodeon
- Version : 1.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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