Nicktoons Unite!
Ages: Everyone

Hey -- four super heroes, Sponge Bob, Danny Phantom, Jimmy Neutron, and Timmy Turner and not a girl among them. Nickelodeon -- get on the ball!! In spite of this oversight -- it is an engaging game You need to be familiar with the strengths of each one the characters because you will have to use each character's special skill to get through certain obstacles. Not only that -- upgrades are only available in the character's home base. You will be playing with all four characters (unless a friend helps you). The characters can be swapped easily with the D pad.

Story synopsis: Professor Calamitous has formed an Evil Syndicate comprising Vlad Plasmius, Plankton and Denzel Crocker. There are an assortment of evil grunts -- ghosts, cyborgs and troopers -- to make your job harder and more fun. The Evil Syndicate plans to take over and control Dimmsdale, Amity Park, Retroville and Bikini Bottom in a most unpleasant way. Jimmy, through his "Universe Portal Machine" calls all the heroes together and together they will fight to protect their homeland.

With four characters you can play with four people who can pop in or out at any time. Otherwise the computer will fill in. The game moves beyond jumping, hitting and collecting coins because you have to keep your wits sharp to know who to use and when. The manual will spell out the four different powers upgrades for each of the characters so you can plan ahead. Read the manual!

Reviewed by: Editor - 12/05