When it comes to licensed games, new releases from children’s entertainment networks such as Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network tend to raise a red flag for us: More often than not, they end up as rushed, uninspired cash-grabs that will make sales regardless of their quality because the characters on the cover will appeal to younger gamers and parents who don’t know better. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, however, appears to come dangerously close to bucking that trend, if only it weren’t for one major flaw.
The game is a Super Smash Bros. clone that features many of Nickelodeon’s most iconic characters from popular shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. While it may not sound like the most original gameplay experience, everything in it appears surprisingly polished, with beautiful stages, imaginative movesets, and fluid gameplay. Unfortunately, the game appears completely devoid of voice acting and is incredibly lacking in its range of sound effects, making what could have been a surprise hit feel rather lifeless.
You can see for yourself in the video below, which sees SpongeBob and Patrick throw down against Leonardo and April O’Neill. It feels so close, yet so far.
Still, the game may still have potential. Check out SpongeBob’s move list below for an example of the game’s surprisingly deep combat. Sakurai would be proud!
Here's @SpongeBob SquarePants' move list in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl! https://t.co/qODMMmdIbc #NickBrawl pic.twitter.com/pgHRWrycfv
— Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl (@NickBrawlGame) September 1, 2021
We’re still hoping for the best when Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl arrives on Nintendo Switch and other systems in Fall 2021.
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Written by Reece Heather
A veteran Zelda Universe editor and First-class journalism graduate, Reece emerged with a Nintendo 64 and a lifelong obsession after a narrow escape from Santa’s Naughty List in 1998. Outside of games, he’s reading Punisher comics, being bossed around by his cocker spaniel, and cornering innocent bystanders to rant about the importance of game preservation.
