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Encyclopedia SpongeBobia
This is the page about the video game. For other uses, see Truth or Square (disambiguation).
Video game

SpongeBob's Truth or Square is a SpongeBob SquarePants video game released for the Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable. It is based on the TV episode of the same name. It was released on October 26, 2009 in North America, and September 17, 2010 in Europe.

Characters[]

Story[]

Console version[]

During the preparation of the "eleventy-seventh" anniversary of the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob tells Gary that he has been entrusted by Mr. Krabs to keep the Krabby Patty secret formula safe and secured, but while talking to Patrick, who has been hired for free as a guard, SpongeBob struggled hard to remember the location of the secret formula but ends up forgetting where the formula was at. Noticing his current sadness, SpongeBob worries as he states to Patrick that bringing up sad thoughts makes him unable to remember anything.

Upon hearing the dilemma of the sponge, Plankton shows up and offers a partnership in order to remember the formula's location. SpongeBob hesitates at first, thinking that Plankton might be available to use him to steal the formula but was convinced by Plankton's "honest face."

The two head to the Chum Bucket and SpongeBob is strapped to Plankton's memory machine, in which SpongeBob relives his memories through the help of his friends recreating memories inside his mind.

ToS-SpongeBobs-mind

SpongeBob's house recreated in his mind. Also serves as the hub world of the game.

Unknown to SpongeBob, Plankton deploys his robots to SpongeBob memories to search for the formula's location. Unfortunately for Plankton, the remote for the robots was broken accidentally, forcing him to go to the sponge's mind and search for the formula's location himself while guiding SpongeBob and reliving events in the sponge's life.

ToS-cutscene-fixed

SpongeBob still laments that he can't remember the formula's location.

SpongeBob, finally remembering the formula's location, wakes up and declares that the formula is inside a safe. Plankton suddenly laughs and reveals his entire plan to SpongeBob that he only used him to find the formula. Plankton, then, turns the Chum Bucket into a massive robot that is headed to the Krusty Krab and ejects SpongeBob out of the giant robot. SpongeBob desperately chases the giant robot and goes inside to destroy its core.

After destroying the giant robot, SpongeBob rejoices but was approached by Mr. Krabs and was asked about what happened. SpongeBob answers that he lost the formula but was able to remember it where he hid it. The two headed to the Krusty Krab's safe where, much to the sponge's surprise, as the safe was empty. SpongeBob cries in complete sorrow but was able to suddenly find a paper in his pocket which is the secret formula. Upon giving the paper to Mr. Krabs, the crab recognizes that the paper was not the secret formula, but his lottery ticket instead, realizing that he handed the wrong paper all along, much to SpongeBob's surprise. Mr. Krabs was able to find the real formula on his back pocket and laughs it off, to which SpongeBob mocks him after learning that all the things are done for nothing. Plankton appears near to them while angrily whine about his constant loss and decides to give up and walk away.

PlayStation Portable version[]

A scenario exclusive to the PSP version shows that before waking up and unintentionally destroys Plankton's machine, SpongeBob remembers that the formula is somewhere the Krusty Krab but is unsure if he is correct. Patrick suggests that he should remember all of his happy memories at the Krusty Krab, much to SpongeBob's disdain. SpongeBob then encounters Mr. Krabs giving the formula to the Robot SpongeBob, whom he mistook for the real one. As the robot runs away, SpongeBob chases the impostor while surviving hordes of robots, including mini-bosses, while jumping into mysterious teleporting boxes. After catching up with robot impostor, SpongeBob rejoices, only to find the impostor suddenly changed into one of Plankton's rogue hammer robots, who knocks out the sponge.

Nintendo DS version[]

The main plot stays the same as the other versions, with some alterations to fit with the exclusive gameplay modes and mini-games. One of the differences is that SpongeBob is convinced to accept Plankton's offer after asking Patrick and SpongeBob was not the cause of Plankton losing control of the robots but rather an unknown error. Another difference is that Plankton pretends to be a part of the recreation of SpongeBob's friends in his mind who offered help after "hearing his scream."

Gameplay[]

The game features ten levels (twelve on the PlayStation Portable and DS versions) that are reminiscent of various events on the television series.

Each level features platforming with hordes of enemies that can be destroyed through attacks. SpongeBob has three types of attacks that are obtained as the game progress, although attacks that are later unlocked cannot be used when replaying earlier levels. SpongeBob can also absorb water and spray it on various objects such as water-powered machines, fire, and sponge platforms. All attacks in the Nintendo DS version are already available from the beginning.

Attacks[]

  • Spatula Slam - SpongeBob morphs his head into a giant spatula (hammer if in buffed form) and slams onto the ground. The PlayStation Portable version grants twice the damage when performing this attack in mid-air.
  • Spin Slap - SpongeBob morphs his head into a giant rotating ship's wheel (mechanical fans with long blades if in buffed form) to hit multiple enemies at once on a short-range but has weaker damage compared to the spatula. It can also be used for turning on rotating switches and gliding for a half-second.
  • Cannon Shot - SpongeBob morphs into a cannon to shoot water balloons at enemies and activates switches from a longer distance. The ammo is limited but can be replenished by collecting another pack of water balloons. The damage is doubled when in buffed mode.

Power-ups are also present in the game. When collected, the power-ups provide temporary enhancements to SpongeBob for only a short period of time.

Power-ups[]

  • Dumbbell - SpongeBob becomes buffed and gains muscular arms while wearing workout clothes. This power-up allows SpongeBob to deal twice the amount of damage to enemies and break stone tikis. Unlike the other power-ups, the buff power-up doesn't have a timer and will only disappear once SpongeBob gets hit once. This is absent as a collectible power-up in the Nintendo DS version where the buff power-up is activated by filling the gauge in the upper screen.
  • Hammer - SpongeBob morphs into a hammer and summons Patrick to hold him and rapidly slam into the ground, instantly dealing greater damage to enemies.
  • Karate Glove - SpongeBob morphs into a karate glove and summons Sandy to spin around continuously. It can destroy giant flowers that eat SpongeBob.
  • Music Note - Squidward suddenly appears and rapidly shoots two scattered water balloons.
  • Mr. Krabs - This power-up is exclusive to the Nintendo DS version. Mr. Krabs will turn SpongeBob into his gloves which can be used to rip through bags of money blocking the way.
ToS-game-sleeping-pat

An example of a hidden Patrick in the first level.

Happy tokens are scattered throughout levels that can be collected in order to improve the furniture and memorabilia in SpongeBob's home. The coins can also be used to buy costumes and health upgrades. In the Nintendo DS version, tokens are used to fill the gauge for SpongeBob to become buffed.

A variant of the happy tokens, exclusive to the DS version, is the silver tokens, which are worth more than the ordinary happy tokens. Also, present in the Nintendo DS version is memory fragments, which allows players to enter secret areas, which will lead to bonus decorations in SpongeBob's house if all were collected.

There are also Patricks hidden around each level. Its purpose has no effect on the gameplay and is merely Easter eggs for the players to find. However, finding all of them will make players gain an Xbox achievement for the Xbox 360 version.

Levels[]

1. Fun Times Jellyfishing With Patrick

2. Meeting Sandy Cheeks

3. Talent Show/Bikini Bottom (DS & PSP only)

4. Pretending To Be Tough With Patrick

5. Becoming The Fry Cook

6. Santa, Santa, Santa!

7. Meeting Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy

8. Squidward's First Yummy Krabby Patty

9. 24 Hours Of Fun At The Krusty Krab

10. Kara-Tay! With Sandy!

11. Krusty Krab Recall/Krusty Krab (DS & PSP only)

12. That's Not Your Formula, Plankton!

Differences between the console versions and the PlayStation Portable versions[]

The console version, which is the Wii and Xbox 360, was developed by Heavy Iron Studios, while the PlayStation Portable version was developed by Barking Lizards Technologies. The PlayStation Portable version was made to be similar to its console counterparts while having differences due to the handheld's limited hardware.

  • The HUD is closer to the edged screen on the PlayStation Portable version, due to the size of the screen.
  • The ending cutscenes of each level are pre-recorded instead of in-game.
  • Prawn is seen in just a default t-pose, instead of his regular pose.
  • SpongeBob's icon does not show his body unlike the console version.
    • Also when on the last underwear life, SpongeBob makes a different scare look when on low health.
  • Subtitles shown on cutscenes are on the very bottom of the screen and the text has a very small font while overlapped on a black transparent border instead of a blue rectangle.
PSPVS360

A comparison of the cutscenes between the PlayStation Portable (left) and the console versions (right).

  • In-game hub world dialogues are only voiced and subtitled as opposed to the console versions, which has characters animated to match the dialogues.
    • The PlayStation Portable version also lacks the letterbox screen during dialogues.
  • With the exception of pre-rendered cutscenes, small cutscenes, such as stage and enemy introductions, cannot be skipped.
  • SpongeBob instantly moves to the direction where the analog stick is pushed towards to instead of turning around first.
  • Using the spatula move in mid-air damages twice on normal enemies.
  • When buffed, holes are visible on the top of SpongeBob's eyes.
PSPeyes

SpongeBob's glitched eyes.

  • There are fewer costumes and no health upgrades that can be bought in the wardrobe. Only one costume can be seen and the player needs to use the Direction Pad to view other costumes. The ones that are not bought are shown on silhouette forms.
  • Costumes are plain retextures of characters as opposed to actual costumes in the console versions.
  • The battle with SquidBot plays the slide theme instead of the final boss from Battle for Bikini Bottom.
    • Rock Bottom also plays the Kelp Forest instead rather then it's normal them from the same game as well.
      • The PatBot plays the slide theme from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie rather than the slide theme from Battle for Bikini Bottom.
  • SpongeBob does not have animation when he is on ice.
  • The water balloons that SpongeBob shoot out his mouth are yellow instead of pink.
  • When the player wins in the PSP version, the track "War Blower" is not heard, unlike the console version.
  • The coins and power up had a different circle shape.
    • Also when getting the Patrick, Squidward and Sandy power ups, they do not play their music themes.
  • When hitting the any switch, the track "Grass Skirt Chase" is not heard in the background.
  • The trivia facts are NOT present on the loading screens in the PSP version.
  • The photo book in SpongeBob's house does not have any pictures on it.
  • The Plankton tikis don't make a sad face when the player comes close to them.
  • Sleepy Patricks are not found in the PSP version.
  • The concept art in the PSP version is already unlocked.
  • The player can do the mini challenges in all the levels unlike the console version where they needed to finish the level and come back to Larry.
  • There are two exclusive levels, Bikini Bottom and Krusty Krab.
    • However, both were originally planned for the console version but was scrapped due to unknown reasons.
  • Multiplayer in the PlayStation Portable version is a set of party games that can be played through Ad-hoc as opposed to the console version's cooperative gameplay.
  • The graphics are scaled down due to the hardware capabilities of the PlayStation Portable.

Multiplayer[]

This game includes a multiplayer mode in which the second player can play as Plankton. In the game, they can stun, zap, or grab enemies. When they stun the enemies, they will be temporarily stunned for a short period of time. This is an advantage to player one. When they zap an enemy, they will be damaged. When they grab enemies, they can shake the enemies left and right or they can slam the enemies down. This stuns them for a limited period of time.

The multiplayer option in the PlayStation Portable version is a set of party games that can be played by one or two players instead of a hidden cooperative gameplay. Press the triangle button to view a tutorial video depending on what game is selected.

  • Check Please - A hockey game with the patty as the hockey puck. The entire concept was based on the episode "Krabs à la Mode."
  • Collide & Conch-er - Players ride with their vehicles and capture jellyfishes scattered on the arena. If a jellyfish is captured, players must return to their starting points to score. There are also item boxes that contain weapons that can be used to attack enemies.
  • INCOMING!! - A turn-based war based on the Worms video game series.

Unused content[]

Happiness squared

Logo of SpongeBob SquarePants: Happiness Squared

According to a test trailer, the game was originally tilted SpongeBob SquarePants: Happiness Squared before being renamed to coincide with the release of the TV movie "Truth or Square."[1][2] Thoses trailers also showcase many differences between the final game such as SpongeBob attacking with two spatulas and the presence of the tikis from Battle for Bikini Bottom, They were however likely used as placeholders. The game was supposed to be on the PlayStation 2 according to one of the trailer, but this version was cancelled and possibly replaced with the Xbox 360 version.

Sp mod

Models made for the console version, including some that went unused.

"Talent Show/Bikini Bottom" and "Krusty Krab Recall/Krusty Krab" were both planned for the console version, but they only appear in the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Portable versions. Pearl also appeared in "Talent Show/Bikini Bottom," but was cut alongside Man Ray and the salesman. The latter two only appear in the Nintendo DS version.

Pearl-in-SpongeBob's-Truth-or-Square-Wii

Pearl found in the Talent Show level.

On October 5, 2022, it was discovered on the Heavy Iron Modding Discord server that these two levels appear to have been left in the localized Spanish Wii version. Talent Show is almost fully playable and includes Pearl. It resembles the PSP version in various ways as well as other elements shown in screenshots. Krusty Krab Recall is almost an entirely different level. Footage showcasing both levels was uploaded by YouTube user, Koopa Eliminator. However, all of their videos showcasing both levels have profanity in them. As a result, they cannot be linked on this wiki.

Reception[]

SpongeBob's Truth or Square has received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version a 6.7/10[3] Corey Cohen of Official Xbox Magazine rated the game 4 out of 10 and considered it boring, while criticizing its "tedious" levels and "irritating" camera. Common Sense Media gave it a score of 4 out of 5 stars.[4]

Walkthrough[]

Xbox 360 version[]

SpongeBob's_Truth_Or_Square_-39-_Xbox_360_Longplay

SpongeBob's Truth Or Square -39- Xbox 360 Longplay

Wii version[]

SpongeBob's_Truth_or_Square_-_Longplay_(100%)_-4K-

SpongeBob's Truth or Square - Longplay (100%) -4K-

SpongeBob's_Truth_or_Square_-_Longplay_Co-op_2_Players_Full_Game_Walkthrough_(Wii,_Xbox_360,_PSP)

SpongeBob's Truth or Square - Longplay Co-op 2 Players Full Game Walkthrough (Wii, Xbox 360, PSP)

Nintendo DS version[]

SpongeBob-_Truth_Or_Square_(DS)_-_Full_Game_Walkthrough

SpongeBob- Truth Or Square (DS) - Full Game Walkthrough

PlayStation Portable version[]

Spongebob's_Truth_or_Square_(PSP)_Longplay_-365-

Spongebob's Truth or Square (PSP) Longplay -365-

Backwards compatibility[]

The game has backward compatibility on the following systems:

  • Nintendo 3DS - The Nintendo DS version can be played to any of the 3DS family systems.
  • PlayStation Vita - The digital version of the game bought from the PSP's PlayStation Store, prior to its closing, can be downloaded to the Vita. Similarly, the game can be bought directly through the Vita's own PlayStation Store.
    • PlayStation TV - Every digital versions of PSP games that are compatible with the Vita are also compatible with PlayStation TV.
  • Wii U - The disc of the Wii version can be played on the Wii U.
  • Xbox One - Compatibility for the game was added on November 15, 2021. Inserting the Xbox 360 disc on Xbox One and Xbox One X would download the digital version of the game to the console. The digital version bought from the Microsoft Store can be downloaded to either from Xbox 360 to Xbox Series.
    • Xbox Series - Every game that is backwards compatible with Xbox One consoles are all compatible with Xbox Series consoles with the same methods.

Trivia[]

General[]

Ae0edcc8f1908ca395a80417ec136918

Truth or Square gameplay screenshot on Xbox 360.

Karen exploded

Karen's wall form exploded.

  • Plankton's memory machine seems to be connected to Karen's wall form, so when SpongeBob wakes up, Karen's wall form explodes.
  • The Soda drinking hat from "One Krabs Trash" returns in this game.
  • In the game, defeating the PatBot takes place at night while the episode it is based on takes place in the day, although the Nintendo DS version of it takes place in the day.
  • The boxes around the level that the player can teleport to when they have completed the level resemble the box from "Idiot Box." They also are similar to the boxes in Battle for Bikini Bottom and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
  • The Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation Portable versions have the same gameplay, while the Nintendo DS version has its own gameplay style.
  • The Magic Conch shell appears in this game.
  • This is currently the latest appearance of Ol' Reliable.
  • This, SuperSponge, and SpongeBob's Boating Bash are the only video games where Ernest Borgnine actually does the voice of Mermaid Man. In all other video games appearances of Mermaid Man, he was voiced by Joe Whyte or Joe Alaskey.
  • This game reveals SpongeBob's real muscles instead of fake ones.
  • Prawn, the mini-boss in the Mermalair from Battle for Bikini Bottom, appears in the Truth or Square Mermalair frozen in tartar sauce exactly as he appears when defeated in Battle for Bikini Bottom (except bigger, and SpongeBob said he was Man Ray by mistake and realizes he was Prawn, but calls him Mr. Shrimp).
  • SquidBot shares a lot of similarities with a cut boss from Battle for Bikini Bottom, called Robo-Squidward.
  • On the Nintendo DS version, in SpongeBob's house, there is a 1% chance that Squidward will appear dressed up as Santa. He will start to say different quotes that he would say when acting like Santa.
  • The salesman from "That's No Lady" makes an appearance in the Nintendo DS version of this game.
  • In other SpongeBob games, jellyfish are common enemies, but the jellyfish in this game only appear in the first level but as platforms.
  • SpongeBob's tongue slider appears again in this game.
  • This game is developed by Heavy Iron Studios, which is the reason this game recycles many elements from Battle for Bikini Bottom and The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, such as models, textures, music, enemies, and objects like tikis.
  • The level "That's Not Your Formula, Plankton!" may have been originally named "Becoming a co-cashier," because the official site called this level "Becoming a co-cashier."
  • The last level of the Nintendo DS version is labeled "???" for some unknown reason.
    • And an exclusive level called "Krusty Krab Recall" is also present in the Nintendo DS version.
  • In the Nintendo DS version, Demento Bot appears as Santa, Santa, Santa boss and Tenderizer Bot become Kara-Tay! with Sandy boss.
  • In the tutorial videos of "Check Please" and "Collide & Conch-er" in the PlayStation Portable multiplayer party games, the floor has a darker lighting than the actual party game.
  • This is the last SpongeBob game for the PlayStation Portable, as well as the last one to be distributed on a Universal Media Disc.
Scrapbooktruthsquae
  • In SpongeBob's pineapple, there is a photo book that can be used to select levels. The pages shown have a picture of SpongeBob, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs inside the Krusty Krab from "Graveyard Shift," and a screenshot of SpongeBob and Sandy from "Tea at the Treedome."
  • This is the first video game developed by Heavy Iron Studios as an independent developer.
    • This is also the last SpongeBob game that was developed by Heavy Iron Studios.
  • The Nintendo DS version is the 4th & final licensed SpongeBob video game to be developed by Altron. The previous three being the GBA & DS versions of SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis, & Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition.
  • The Wii version has slightly lower quality sound effects when compared to the Xbox 360 version. Some sound effects are also played through the Wii Remote.
  • The face SpongeBob makes on the cover art is different for every version.
  • This is the only Heavy Iron SpongeBob game to not be released on a PlayStation home console.
  • Similar to Battle for Bikini Bottom, the health system in the game is portrayed with underwear.

Errors[]

  • Even though the game was released after the 2009 rebrand, the game uses the old pre-2009 Nickelodeon logo and opening.

Discs/Cartridges[]

Videos[]

Happiness Squared[]

These were made when the game was under the working title "Happiness Squared."

References[]



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