SpongeBob Squarepants: Lights, Camera, Pants! - Xbox

SpongeBob, the earnest square-trousered burger bar employee has become what grown-ups like to term a media phenomenon. That means everybody thinks he’s ace, though Plankton still doesn’t seem to be convinced. As well as being the star of his own hit Nickelodeon cartoon shows, the daft sponge has been the star of a bewildering procession of videogame spin-offs.

Now he’s back, with Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Patrick, Sandy and Plankton for yet another wacky adventure. The game takes on a wry, self referential tone, with a plot that sees a TV show coming to Bikini Bottom. It could only be ‘The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy’, the hit show which is being brought to SpongeBob’s sleepy seabed home for a special episode.

There’s an understandable amount of interest at the prospect, but this soon reaches fever pitch when the producers announce that they’re looking to cast local talent in a starring role. But you’ll have to get through more than a gruelling audition if you want your shot at stardom. The fiendish media types have devised all manner of crazy tasks to determine who they’ll choose.

Play as any one of your favourite SpongeBob characters and compete to see who lands the peachy role. Things don’t end with the casting either – you get to participate in the fully interactive filming of the TV episode. And the urge to play through again and again will be irresistible, so you get the chance to see each of the undersea silly sausages in action. We welcome more lunatic adventures from everyone’s favourite animated sponge any day of the week. Absolutely bonkers, and we wouldn't have it any other way. more