Revenge of the Flying Dutchman - A SpongeBob Relic

Now here's a big one. Revenge of the Flying Dutchman was a SpongeBob SquarePants game developed by Big Sky Interactive and published by THQ. It was for the Playstation 2, Gamecube, and Gameboy Advance. The PS2 version is said to have some scary glitches in it, so let's check it out because I live for the danger.
Avatar by: / @lightmelodyva
My Twitter: / lucililium

[@danvsclips8326]

I've seen a lot of complaints about how this game doesn't feel like it fits in the SpongeBob World, but those people have to remember this was developed when they only had S1 to start with(BFBB had S2 available during that critical phase of development). Why is Downtown so dark and creepy? Because we'd really only seen it once, in Hall Monitor, where that's exactly how it looks(and also in Hall Monitor they make a point of mentioning street signs, which are a huge part of that level). Oh and that one scene in Pizza Delivery where it has Neon signs and high rises ,also fits. Why is Goo Lagoon all gross looking and filled with a bunch of violent thugs? Because Ripped Pants describes it as a 'stinking mudpuddle', and the S1 episodes featuring the location all potray it as full of toxic bodybuilders(that's the entire conflict of Ripped Pants and MuscleBobBuffPants), so that's how it is in game, full of violent meatheads and pollution. And why is there a giant pier? Because that's where Valentines Day is set. Why is Larry a jerk? Look at him in S1. Why is Jellyfish fields filled with rivers, cliffs, and parks instead of being a wide open field? Well we only see it twice in S1, in Jellyfishing(where the plot is started because Squidward falls off one of the cliffs, which are also in Valentines Day) and in Karate Choppers(where it's depicted as a developed park area full of kids and a river, exactly like the entrance in the game) Why Chumworld? Because Gloveworld was a single cameo that didn't give a lot to work with, and they needed something for Plankton to do as the Secondary Antagonist since the Dutchman is mostly elsewhere. Plus one of his three episodes in S1(Walking Small) is him attempting to develop land into a side hustle to make money, so it seemed fitting at the time. Why is the main hub area somewhat underdeveloped? Because there just weren't that many locations known yet. Why is the Flying Dutchmans graveyard firey and hellish instead of murky and cold? Because we had never actually seen it in the show yet. And why is the Dutchman so openly villainous and mysterious? THAT'S HOW THE EARLY SHOW WROTE HIM, HE DIDN'T REALLY GET TONED DOWN UNTIL S4'S GHOST HOST AND BEYOND.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Battle for Bikini Bottom was in development at the same time. No excuse.

[@danvsclips8326]

@@EssexAggiegrad2011 It started a couple months later. By the time S2 was out ROTFD was already past the level design and script stage of development.

[@andykishore]

@@danvsclips8326 I don't care how early on in this show this game was, that doesn't excuse the dark colors and ugly lighting system seen in some levels, especially downtown Bikini Bottom, main Bikini Bottom, and Chum World. Plus Nicktoons Racing, SuperSponge, Operation Krabby Patty, and Employee of the Month were released before Revenge of the Flying Dutchman and all of those games had way better lighting systems along with more colorful graphics. And don't come at me with "oh adding new stuff not seen in the source material" because literally HALF of the Employee of the Month game is them adding in stuff that's never seen in the actual show. Especially in "Chapter 2: Hitting Rock Bottom" with other parts of Rock Bottom such as the WSEA TV that's never seen in the show and "Chapter 4: Bottoms Up!" featuring an entirely new location and characters that are never seen in the actual show.

[@kirbyleggington7205]

I can at least agree on Jellyfish Fields, it's actually by far my favorite version of it in the SpongeBob games. That said...Larry was never really a jerk. "SpongeBob, that was so righteous...would you sign my pants?"

[@polocatfan]

​@@kirbyleggington7205 The way I'd describe Larry is that he's an incredibly polite jerk. He can be rude at times, but he does it in the most polite way.

[@bradythomas234]

HEY... NO RUNNING ON DA BEECH!

[@thestitchpunkofgloomsville3858]

The Alpha version of the game actually leaked last year. There was originally a lot more set decoration and cars roaming around the city, but it causes performance issues and was scrapped for time

[@ApophisNow_]

I remember playing this at daycare and after the puzzle slide mini game, the game would always crash. One kid had enough and broke the disc.

[@bandicootbrawl9674]

Also whats sad about the devs is after this game finished THQ said they'd contact Blue Sky for future projects so while they waited for that, Blue Sky worked on some games but it turns out THQ blacklisted them behind their backs from the game industry, so they couldn't find any piblishers to publish their work and they ultimately went out of business

[@KrabbyPatty]

Yea, it really sucks. I wish this had come to light many years prior so that fans could've united themselves against THQ or something. Whoever at THQ was responsible for this deserves to be cancelled. 😠

[@andykishore]

I know people love to hate on Big Sky Interactive for this game, but this game makes hate THQ more with them blacklisting the company, but only after encouraging them to make more games. So essentially giving Blue Sky Interactive false excitement while actually trying to kill them in the process. What a jerk move.

[@bronykingamethystrain5676]

This game and the console ports of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius suffered allot because of Big Sky being screwed over by THQ. Even worse when you know that they used to be the US branch of Kalisto Entertainment: Developer of the cult classic Nightmare Creatures Duology.

[@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1024]

If people had common sense that would be illegal

[@donnaolsen3964]

The game had a ton of cut content due to rushed development deadlines. There were originally more NPCs and cars roaming around you can see in some of the commercials. There were also going to be postgame optional quests that got cut and rewards for collecting everything(in the final game after you take the cannon it's impossible to go back). There was also going to be a GBA-GC minigame if you had both versions of the game. Oh and this is why the PS2 version is so buggy

[@andykishore]

Part of that makes me believe the game would of have more life to it than just jellyfish swimming around.

[@KrabbyPatty]

As for the reused voice lines, I don't know how such things work behind the scenes, but maybe when a SpongeBob game is done, the devs send Nick the voice assets so that they can give it to whoever's developing the next game as base material.

[@andykishore]

A lot of early SpongeBob games were known for their reused dialogue in the PC games and even some of the console games.

[@ObsoIeteQuality]

The PS2 version randomly crashing between levels is allegedly related to a soft-reset technique Big Sky quickly implemented to comply with Sony's loading standards at the time. The game would save your progress and reboot the system whenever you entered a level. The soft reset was bugged in older PS2 models and that's why some PS2 owners got the crash while others didn't. Big Sky didn't know about this bug until some time after the game was released because they tested the soft reset on newer PS2's. The GC version doesn't use the soft-reset technique which is why it never crashes when loading levels.

[@ross3695_basedhax]

Are you sure it's the older PS2s, it's most likely just the slims because those had a different IO processor On all fats I tried the game worked, and one rare slim model which I got that actually had the PS1 CPU still in it on my 90000 slim it crashed It also didn't work on the BC PS3s, which also didn't have the original IO processor

[@Smith-fg1qb]

The creepy narrator and Larry being a huge jerk are the most unforgivable things about this game

[@gracekim25]

Yeah Larry bring a jerk is out of character 😅

[@bandicootbrawl9674]

Yeah I think when the series has being pitched , Larry was supposed to be SpongeBob's rival on who could win Sandy over, which is why in the series pitch bible where they had potential story ideas Larry was sort of a jerk to SpongeBob They obviously did not go for that route but the team did have pages of the pitch bible as bonus features so they probably read that specific section and made Larry like that

[@gracekim25]

@@bandicootbrawl9674ah ok🤔 kinda glad he wasn’t a jerk in the end 😅 that does explain the ripped pants episode and the one where SpongeBob has fake muscles though 😂

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

And the constant jellyfishing costume music

[@sbplankton_1999]

Don't says That's creepy So much, But flying dutchman it is.

[@rankapetrovic-ru3oe]

This was one of the games developed by Big Sky Interactive, the other game is Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. The quick transition was needed as Kalisto had a contract with THQ to develop games based on Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants TV show and its Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius movie. The games would be released later that year for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. Development was already underway, but the contracts had a cancellation clause if Kalisto went under. Through the quick formation, BigSky was able to secure those contracts and SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman was released in December 2002. Other games were also in development, such as a horror/survival title Terminal Code in which a scientist battles cyber-terrorists within the Codescape (like The Matrix) in order to rescue dignitaries who can avert a World War. The player-character would use stolen time slices to effect changes in the world, altering level geometry, unlocking items and causing enemies to de-rez (perish). Eventually the game was never released.

[@Draven_starboy]

I've never heard "booty" said so many times in a row

[@KrabbyPatty]

21:12 That SpongeBob being shot from a cannon voice clip also plays when SpongeBob rolls as a bowling ball in Battle for Bikini Bottom by AWE Games! 😄

[@XJIcequeen]

Kids when they see the treasure: EW!!!

[@akganimationstudioproducti3779]

😂

[@kidz4p509]

Except for the glasses. Probably the least gross treasure.

[@bronykingamethystrain5676]

I'm grateful that the port I have is GameCube. never had problems with it. I remember getting stuck in downtown Bikini Bottom during the last part of the food delivery. it took me until age 12 to read due to my Autism, so I would need an adult to help me with that part. Now I can easily get through the game.

[@thebrodsterboy5122]

Call him creepy if you will, but I'd argue the French Narrator here sounds both more authentic and WAY closer to Jacque Cousteau(which is who the original is parodying)

[@silveramyknux241]

2:59 The background music gives a weird sad nostalgic feeling. Even tho I never played this game when little. It gives this sad feeling tho as it reminds me of a video I watched about this game’s development history and how it went all down so quickly after birth.

[@Nzcade]

This is a weird yet interesting game

[@stardestroyer81]

Once that background music you mentioned around three minutes in gets its way into your head, there is simply no getting rid of it. Good thing, too, it's a right bop

[@edd.5169]

Ah, my video essay. Finally, I can eat.

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

there is unused audio for the game mentioning Game Boy Advance Link cable

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

Originally supposed to be GameCube Link cable functionality

[@jamielishbrook2384]

I like how you just kinda called giant tube worms "things that shoot tendrils out of their tops

[@joseybryant7577]

Man, I had this game. Had completely forgotten it until now. Thanks for reminding me it exists

[@siennaplayz3143]

I NEED A REMASTER OF THIS GAME! The music, the location, the story and the mechanics are so fun. The fact the game always crashed is such a let down tho.

[@anthonyminimum]

21:37 These booty jokes, I can’t 😂😂😂

[@akganimationstudioproducti3779]

To this day, we still don’t know who voiced the narrator in this game

[@captainmatt-asmr]

What a wild ride this was! 😂 Quality work as always Luci! Well done! 🏴‍☠️

[@kirbyleggington7205]

This game is one of the most fun to talk about, honestly. Everything about it feels like a fever dream, it's SO close to being on-point with the show but there are enough weird differences to make it feel like a total anomaly.

[@andykishore]

Oh I've been waiting for you to talk about this game.

[@gracekim25]

stop obsessing over game stages not ending up in the show! 😣Please let this stupid obsession go, it’s unhealthy!😢 it’s annoying and unhelpful to let this cloud your judgement on older games. Thank you❤

[@andykishore]

@@gracekim25 How about let me live my life however I want to live life and older games? Is that suppose to mean something?

[@andykishore]

@@gracekim25 2 NEW LOCATIONS IN THIS GAME MAKE IT SUPER CREATIVE AND THE BEST GAME IN ALL OF 2002. OH MY GOSH!!!!

[@aaww1010]

The GameCube version is missing, cut scenes and content

[@JuanGomez-ke5py]

And their Delta unused audio mentioning Game Boy Advance Link cable functionality

[@TheCoolJet64]

Of all spongebob games I had, this one gave me creepy vibes all over, but somehow that made me love even more as a child lol😅

[@CaptainCorn]

I managed to softlock myself out of completing the Jellyfish Fields level.

[@gracekim25]

Ooo perfect timing🙂

[@Jelly_shy_guy_man]

Oh yeah this game well I think it’s a amazing game but I hate that glitch it’s so annoying

[@Cliffordlonghead]

U DON'T DESERVE LOVE CRIMINAL BOT

[@spaceturd64]

Are the bodybuilders supposed to be Schwarzenegger parodies?😊

[@auden7264]

Keep the videos coming man. They are awesome

[@gracekim25]

Is this the first time you’ve covered a PS2 game, cuz this is neat😊

[@KrabbyPatty]

Hm, it's a bit dark, yea, but otherwise I find it a pretty looking game with good textures.

[@jacobs1834]

We definitely need to bring platformers based on cartoons back. I’d pay good money for a Craig of the creek game or a new Codename KND platformer (as well as others). Enjoyed your look at this game btw.

[@sandy_shark]

Got this game over the summer while starting to collect PS2 games

[@disasterator]

the music was my favorite part of the game

[@musikbrezel]

I loved the GBA version (except for the ice level, that one always lagged out for me which made the level borderline unplayable due to the winds moving Spongebob around in the air).

[@CageBlack1443]

I played the Gamecube version and never had problems. However, I did have bad luck with LEGO Batman 2...

[@DrewTNaylor]

I remember when I played this when I was young like 7 years old, I never ran into any major glitches, but then again I played on a PS2 Slim which I heard it ran better on. I also figured out that you could glitch the Karate outfit out the door in the first match with Sandy, but could never figure out any way to get it past that outer area.

[@andykishore]

Yeah, the PS2 slim runs this game better from my experience too.

[@siennaplayz3143]

I didn’t know the game crashing was normal. I thought I broke the game but when I bought another it continued. This game is so good too bad I never finished it cuz of the crash 😭

[@GamerGamerGamer77777]

This video will be a treat.

[@Uncle-Jay]

That's not a metal detector. It's a dowsing rod. Typically used in looking for underground water sources, I've seen some "paranormal investigators" use these to try and track ghosts. Does it actually work? I dunno. I watched my Grandfather use one to find a place to dig a new well and it worked.

[@Thepersonthatsarandomperson]

Late comment, but I still felt like saying something. People say SpongeBob games weren’t good till battle for bikini bottom, but I’ll say that they have all been pretty good so far. My only real complaint is that the music is dependent on the costume you’re wearing and the French narrator’s voice. But, I’ll worn you for the gba version of this, be ready for a miserable 3 hours (well that’s how I felt about the game anyways)

[@ross3695_basedhax]

I think the PS2 version actual had some better graphic effects I was lucky enough to not have any crappy PS2 model, even got the rare slim PS2 with PS1 CPU(changing this was probably what caused the loading glitch)

[@bandicootbrawl9674]

Man this game is flawed but a guilty pleasure. I agree that the game felt uncanny and creeoy as a kid and i still get those vibes as a adult. The narrator especially sounded so freaky. Funny enough i had yhe ps2 version and the game never froze on me except for one time. I had the slim and always enabled fast disc speed when i played blue cd ps2 games lol i hated chum word's put golf

[@CalamityMorphine]

I remember this game never let me save

[@DanielDeLeon69]

playing this is a kid bring back so much memories😊

[@danvsclips8326]

The E3 Alpha build of the game got leaked a little while ago. Might be worth doing a video on.

[@yoshihammerbro435]

I remember not getting far in this game because my game on the ps2 would frequently freeze during loading screens I really loved that highrise part in downtown bikini bottom tho

[@Channeleven2345789]

I'd say this game gets more hate than it deserves (more or less owed to purists who complain about the most minute differences between the game and the show.) I had the GameCube version, it was the third SpongeBob game I played and yeah I sure didn't care about the faults the game had, honestly the game's quirks gave it some charm. Here's a bit of trivia, in the earlier seasons, Mrs. Puff didn't know Patrick's name. Heavy Iron really dropped the ball on that in Battle for Bikini Bottom.

[@Uncle-Jay]

This game came out at a time when a lot of games were based around the concept of making players collect an inordinate amount of macguffins. I personally wasn't a fan of the concept and mostly avoided games like that, even ones that were considered hits like Banjo Kazooie. Off the top of my head I played and Beat Mario 64 and Conker's Bad Fur Day. And I never bothered to collect all the stars in Mario 64.

[@gracekim25]

🎵the Dutchman’s treasure!🎶

[@stardestroyer81]

Plastiiiiiiiiiic!

[@fox-milessavioroffoxes3782]

4:09 You too?

[@aaww1010]

This game works well on the steam deck but still has the normal issues as the game normally has

[@brysonboone5789]

Funny enough this was the game which gotten me into game reviews/ retrospectives. Thanks to the KZbinr LambHoot

[@andykishore]

LambHoot's review of this game hasn't aged that good to be honest. But I do like the energy he had.

[@brysonboone5789]

@@andykishore agreed

[@personlol3099]

spongebob is a snitch at the beginning bro

[@jessegartung294]

Mattmcmuscle should do a what happed to this game

[@someboringmariofan]

Nice video

[@SamInsaneGaming]

Yup i predicted it. On the last vid i said revenge of the flying dutchman

[@Keeby219]

i grew up with the GBA version of this game its a pretty alright puzzle platformer i think you should check it out

[@Lebronfan37876]

maybe you can review the blues clues 3d scavenger hunt game

[@Monhamd1000]

This game needs a remake though.

[@Channeleven2345789]

Definitely. Save remakes for games that deserve a second chance, not for games that are already considered perfect.

[@ryanwilkins2233]

Can you do a video on nick music maker?

[@samyeonellis1453]

Happy lucky me!

[@gracekim25]

Could you tell the user Andykishore to stop obsessing over game stages that never end up in the show? It’s kinda annoying and unhealthy to discussing this game 😣thank you

[@Channeleven2345789]

Yeah, I’ve seen it too. He has a rotten attitude as well.