SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off Review (Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC & Mobile)

Are ya ready, kids? SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off has just about finished mopping the seabed on its native platform, and is now, after several months of idling on the back burner (or patty grill, if we’re sticking with the theme), available as a full-fledged natural culinary bonanza on PC.

While the secret formula isn’t quite so secret anymore (thanks, Android), the beloved sea sponge still has a whole lot of tricks up his cardboard cutout sleeve. Oh, the patties are still the same, as are most of the things that flesh out the original design of Bikini Bottom. But here, in the Extra Krusty Edition, the devs have made a conscious decision to trim the fat, so to speak, and bypass the “grind”—a creative choice that, at least to some extent, allows fledgling fry cooks the chance to experience the breadth of the original and all of the lavish endgame perks that come with it—a collection that just so happens to stretch to various decorations, utensils, and costumes.

At its core, Extra Krusty Edition is still the same ol’ flip-and-serve cooking adventure game as its rightful predecessor. In an attempt to keep in line with the original, the game features an aquatic storyline—a tale that’s naturally befitting of a traditional episode from the beloved Nickelodeon series—as well as a myriad of iconic locations to visit, restaurant blueprints to carefully examine, and a boatload of ingredients and famous recipes to rustle up with the all-powerful spatula.

Anyway, if you did happen to miss out on the original version of SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off back in its initial honeymoon period, then be sure to stick with us as we delve a little deeper into that old pineapple under the sea for further inspection.

Flexing The Secret Formula

SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off isn’t your usual cooking simulation game. Well, it is, but it’s also with a dash of that seemingly timeless nautical nonsense that we’ve come to expect from the other adaptations of the cult series. It also comes with its own story mode, which, in all honesty, is a once-in-a-blue-moon affair for the modern cooking simulator. But let’s not jump straight into the deep end on that one, for there are other areas that, like a bubble among ripples, cause for a much bigger popping effect. For example, the game comes with a selection of areas to explore, an option to embellish the restaurants with decorative flair, and a deliciously sizable menu that spreads across famous cuisines and staple recipes. Alas, the famous Krabby Patty isn’t the only thing on the menu here, and I’m glad about that.

Krusty Cook-Off drops you into the familiar boots of the ever-famous sea sponge who, in an effort to appease Mr. Krabs’ hunger for fame and fortune, decides to open up a chain of restaurants around Bikini Bottom. From a pancake stall to a hot dog stand, a steak shack to a hallmark restaurant, Krusty Cook-Off invites you to put your spatula to the test and feed the citizens of Bikini Bottom in exchange for funds, reputation, and cosmetic gifts, as well as fresh business opportunities to pursue.

At the heart of all of this is a fast-paced cooking sim that blends time-based festivities with comical fodder. Much like your usual culinary delight, it requires you to carefully examine recipes and techniques and create them in a timely manner, all while maintaining orders and using your wealth of knowledge to improve your restaurants and capitalize on greater ventures—a chain that incorporates even better ingredients, decorative elements, and chef attire.

Pancakes Among Sea Sponges

SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off comes with a meaty chapter-based campaign that tours the most iconic spots in Bikini Bottom, including Sandy’s Treehouse, SpongeBob’s fruity abode, Goo Lagoon, and of course, the Krusty Krab. Regardless of the location that you decide to set up shop in, the goals that you have to complete are always the same: serve guests by combining ingredients on a board, and provide an efficient service in order to maximize your profits, star rating, and chances of acquiring better products. There isn’t anything special about any of this; in fact, it follows the same pattern as a traditional cooking sim, with the only exception being that it frontlines a nautical touch and a faithful roster of Nick characters.

In addition to the campaign and (cliche) storyline, Krusty Cook-Off also makes a commendable effort to latch onto that signature charm that we’ve seen unfold over decades of spongey iterations, with tongue-in-cheek dialogue, vibrant personalities, and a tropical flair that makes the underwater haven feel both cozy and inviting. It’s SpongeBob — but without the open word embellishments à la Battle for Bikini Bottom, and with more interactive mini-games and a slightly more arcade-like interface.

To answer the question of whether or not the game is fun, or even worth the price of admission — yes, it is, doubly so if you’re an avid fan of either the franchise or timed arcade cook ‘em ups. Suffice it to say that, for a watered down cooking sim, there’s a lot for you to shovel through here, with a solid selection of levels, upgrades, and an easy-to-digest palette of mechanics to help whet the appetite. In other words, it’s a fitting extension to the beloved series. And again, although it isn’t a culinary masterpiece, it is a homely comfort that fans will enjoy.

Verdict

If nautical nonsense is something you wish, then you should definitely consider jumping into Bikini Bottom to try your hand at grilling the perfect Krabby Patty in SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off. Although it isn’t quite as fleshed out as your traditional cooking sim, or even as detailed as most modern cookbooks, it does offer its fledgling fry cooks plenty of bang for their buck, with numerous recipes to master, locations to explore, and faithful characters to poach. And that, in all honesty, is more than enough to persuade loyal fans of the series to get behind the stove for a few hours.

To cut a long story short, if it’s a simple cooking sim that you’re after, then you needn’t look any further than the salty waters of Krusty Cook-Off. Like fast food, it’s quick, palatable, and easy enough to scoff down whilst you wait for something with a little more substance.