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Bikini Bottom 500

From SpongeBob Wiki
Revision as of 23:36, 16 June 2020 by >Nicktrick Star

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Template:VTab Template:Video game Bikini Bottom 500 is a SpongeBob SquarePants Plug It In & Play motion racing video game that was released on June 15, 2009. The controller is motion-sensitive, allowing the players to control their boatmobile.

Details/Rules

For each course (track), the player will compete against five computer players to win a trophy by finishing first, second, or third. They will take three laps around each course. The player must also dodge obstacles, such as jellyfish and rocks, as well as ones laid down by the competitors (see below). When the player runs into an obstacle, their boatmobile receives some damage. If the boatmobile receives too much damage, they will forfeit the race (see below).

There are also UltiMotion minigames in each course, requiring players to do what the activity on-screen says to do (see below). Another minigame is optional for adding health to the boatmobile, similar to the UltiMotion events.

Characters

  

Garage/Menu

After Starting or Continuing a save file and selecting a character, the player will be directed to the Garage. It contains six features:

  • Race Map (Selecting this prompts the player to the selection screen for all areas and courses)
    File:Snapshot 3 (7-1-2016 11-14 PM).png
    The Garage.
  • Statistics (Selecting this lets the player view their records such as how many coins collected or how many races won)
  • Driving Manual (Selecting this lets the player view the controls and rules of the game)
  • Trophies (Selecting this lets the player view the trophies they have collected)
  • Repair Vehicle (Selecting this allows the player to repair their vehicle if needed to)
  • Game Options (Selecting this allows the player to turn the game music On or Off, or to view the game credits)

Areas and Courses

The game features five different race areas, each with three race courses. The areas in the game and their course names are listed below:

Controls

Controls, aside from the motion-sensitive main wheel controller, the game includes:

File:Prod 600227705.jpeg
Close-Up of the Controller.
  • A - select/confirm, gas/accelerate
  • B - back, fire weapon (see below), honk Horn
  • > - move cursor right, turn right
  • < - move cursor left, turn left.
  • The player will also tilt the controller to move their vehicle or to accommodate UltiMotions  

UltiMotions

The game features motion controls that involve more movement than regular motion controls such as steering the vehicle. There are two instances where UltiMotion controls are used. The first instance is to replenish the player's health bar if the vehicle had taken damage during their most recent race. The player will need to follow the on-screen prompt to fix the vehicle. There is a bar next to the broken part of the vehicle. The player is given ten seconds to completely fill the bar. Here is a list of UltiMotions the player might receive:

  • Hammer the Dent (Tilt the controller forward and backwards repeatedly like a hammer)
    File:Snapshot 1 (7-4-2016 12-23 AM).png
  • Tighten the Screw (Tilt the controller side to side like a wrench)
  • Polish the Engine (Tilt the controller side to side like wiping a window)
  • Drill Through the Deck Plate (Tilt the controller forward and backwards repeatedly to push the drill further into the boat)
  • Pump the Tire (Tilt the controller forward and backwards repeatedly like a pump)

(Note that repairing the player's vehicle is optional. Although if another race is started without replenishing the boat, the amount of health remaining on the health bar during the last race will still remain on the current race.) (Player may not have full health if they do not fix their vehicle).

The second instance where UltiMotions are used is during a race. Every track requires the player to push, shake, or pull the controller for a possibility to gain coins. The game will prompt the player with a message saying: "Get Ready To..." the game will then show the required action with an animated controller demonstrating the movement needed to perform. The game will then prompt the message: "NOW!" to let the player know that they can now perform the action. Each area and course has a unique object to pass. All of the commands are listed below:

  • PULL (Player will need to yield/yank the controller toward them just when they are about to jump off the ramp to flip in the air to earn coins.)
  • BALANCE (Player will need to tilt the controller side to side in order to keep their balance. The middle section of the obstacle contains coins.)
  • PUSH (Player will need to push the controller towards the television to plow through the obstacle. Failing to do so will result in Health loss. Unlike PULL & BALANCE, no coins can be earned.)
  • SHAKE (Player will need to shake the controller to avoid the cracks. Unlike PULL & BALANCE, no coins can be earned.)
File:Snapshot 14 (7-2-2016 12-44 AM).png
The "PULL" Command in action.
File:Snapshot 9 (7-2-2016 12-08 AM).png

Jellyfish Fields uses the PULL command twice and the BALANCE command once.

Goo Lagoon uses the BALANCE command twice and the PUSH command once.

Kelp Forest uses the BALANCE command once, the PUSH command once, and the SHAKE command once.

Bikini Bottom uses the SHAKE command once, the PUSH command once, and the BALANCE command once.

Sulphur Fields uses the PULL command once, the BALANCE command once, and the SHAKE command once.


Health Bar

File:Snapshot 2 (7-4-2016 12-32 AM).png
The message that appears when your health is completely out.

During each race, the Player and Computer players are given a health bar that lasts for the entire race. Once the race is over and another one is started, the player has the option to replenish their health by repairing their boat. Health can be lost during races if Players run into obstacles such as Jellyfish, rocks, or if another player throws a weapon or uses the Shield Bubble. The Checkered Flag acts as a speed boost to players, but it can hurt other player's health if the player runs into them. If the player's health bar completely runs out during a race, they will be disqualified with a message saying: "Oh no! Your boat is wrecked!" The player's health will be automatically refilled and the player will be returned to the course selection screen where they can retry the race.

Weapons

Weapons vary on which character the player is controlling. Bubbles containing weapons can be run over to get one of these weapons:

Player Weapons:

  • Shield Bubble - Adds a bouncy shield around the player, making him/her invincible to the other players (as well as damaging their boat) and obstacles for a limited time. Has a different color depending on which character the player is racing as.
  • Krabby Patty (SpongeBob Only)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Bowling Ball (Patrick Star Only)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Pie (Squidward Only)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Puffer Fish (Mr. Krabs Only)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Barbell (Sandy Only *This is unknown*)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Green Energy Beam (Plankton Only)- Shoot this weapon at competitors to temporarily slow and give damage to them.
  • Checkered Flag - Gives the player a speed boost for a short amount of time. Raming into another player with this deals damage.

Computer Weapons:

  • Shield Bubble
  • Computer players drop character-specific weapons/obstacles randomly, which must be dodged or the player's vehicle will receive damage. The type of items that can be dropped by Computers and the type of character that can drop it are listed below:
  • Spongebob: Anchor
  • Patrick; Banana Peel
    File:Snapshot 6 (7-4-2016 1-03 AM).png
    A look at SpongeBob's weapons and items.
  • Squidward: Tin Gas Can
  • Mr. Krabs: Ice Cube
  • Sandy: Barbell
  • Plankton: Bucket of Fish 

Trivia

  • Players can only play as SpongeBob when a new profile is created. In time, they are able to play as other characters.
  • This game's playing style and concept is similar to the online game 3D Powerkart Grand Prix.
  • Patrick's boat featured in the game is actually the Bass Blaster 3000 that appeared from the series episode Driven to Tears.
  • Computer players sometimes Rubber Band during races to stay ahead of players.
  • Computers can also hold weapons behind their vehicle and throw them backwards while the player cannot.
  • Computers can also drive backwards while the player cannot (Usually to attack opponents with the Shield Bubble).
  • Computers can also use multiple items at the same time even though players can only use one item. If a player wishes to use another item, they will need to progress through the race until they come across another bubble set. 
  • Unlike regular players, Computers cannot throw weapons forward or receive any Player Weapons like the Krabby Patty, and the Bowling Ball. They also cannot use the Checkered Flag.
    File:Snapshot 9 (7-4-2016 1-51 AM).png
    The grand reward for winning all 15 tracks.
  • The game's description or message after selecting a new character and a new file references the episode, The Fry Cook Games.
  • Should a player get 1st place on all 15 tracks, they will be presented with a trophy with a golden Jellyfish printed on it with a text saying: "Congratulations! You won gold in every race! You have mastered the Bikini Bottom 500!"
  • Although this is a trophy, it is not included with all the other trophies in the Garage/Menu.
  • If a race is already won and is completed again at a lower ranking, the game will save that record. For example, if the player wins first place and then plays the course again and wins 2nd or 3rd, that record will be overwritten over the first attempt.  
  • There are two versions of the controller: One with a Green clamshell with the arrow buttons, and one with a Light Purple clamshell.

 Errors/Glitches

  • Upon the character select screen, Mr. Krabs' pants are mistakenly colored light brown when it should be colored Blue/Purple.
  • The flowers on Patrick's shorts are also mistakenly colored Turquoise upon the character screen when it should be colored Light Purple. 
  • SpongeBob is shown to have a driver's license in this game, Although he had never actually earned his license permanently in the series.
  • Patrick is also shown to have a driver's license. Although Patrick did get his driver's license in the episode Driven to Tears. it was revoked due to reckless driving.
    File:Snapshot 1 (7-4-2016 12-23 AM).png
    SpongeBob's Boat is entirely different from the one on the box art.
  • Sandy, Squidward, and Plankton also have licenses in this game, though they are never shown or seen in the actual series.
  • If a player chooses to repair a vehicle as Patrick, one can see that the Bass Blaster 3000 's color scheme is wrong. The boat is Bright Orange and the flame design is Purple when it should have a white design with Bright Orange flames.
  • Patrick is also seen wearing a white undershirt when repairing his vehicle even though he never wears one while racing
  • If a player chooses to repair a vehicle as SpongeBob, not only is the color scheme of the boat wrong, but it is an entirely different boat than shown on the box art and the design shown when racing. The boat shown is similar to the Baytona Classic.
  • Squidward's vehicle is slightly different compared to the look of it on the box art.
  • Like other Plug-n-Play games, if the controller's batteries run dead, the game will static and restart to the main menu. This process will continue unless the controller is disconnected, the controller is turned OFF, or if new batteries are inserted.
  • Despite the clamshell on the controller either being green or light purple, the game displays it as white.
  • One type of obstacle in the game is three ramps with a pile of Jellyfish/rocks. There are speed boosts placed on the ground before the ramp to gain speed to fly over the pile. Although Computer players can be seen to fall into the pile despite the fact that they clearly ran on the speed boosts. 

Video

File:SpongeBob SquarePants - Bikini Bottom 500 Trailer
File:Plug n Play Games Spongebob Bikini Bottom 500 Racing
Full Game Playthrough

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