A New SpongeBob SquarePants Game Has Been Announced (And Here’s What It Might Be About)

After success Battle for Bikini Bottom rehydrated and his spiritual successor Cosmic shakeupTHQ is betting on a third SpongeBob SquarePants game. Announced via a 30-second seasonal trailer, we don’t know much about this new game other than its 2025 release date. However, we can make some educated guesses based on the noticeable timing of the teaser. If our guess is correct, then longtime gaming fans are in for a real treat.

Released on October 31st, the preview showcased some of the best creepy gameplay from both games. Battle for Bikini Bottom rehydrated And Cosmic shakeup. It’s mostly a barrage of SpongeBob and Patrick scaring their tails, but when it’s over we’re left with the duo standing under text that reads, “A brand new adventure awaits.”

Video from ComicBook.com

It may not sound like much, but it’s entirely possible that THQ Nordic was simply leaving fans with a trail of waterlogged breadcrumbs. That’s why I say this.

First, The Flying Dutchman has a clear focus in the trailer. Longtime fans of the SpongeBob games will remember why this is so important. SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman it’s perhaps the second most popular game in the franchise, and given the popularity of the Rehydrated series, it’s an obvious choice for a fantasy remake or sequel.

Second, throw in the spooky theme (and Halloween release date) of the teaser, and it’s hard to think of anything else that fits the bill. If this isn’t a direct remake or spiritual successor, then what else could this be for? Well, there is another answer.

Mark Hamill was recently cast as the voice of the Flying Dutchman. V The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Square Pants. Details about the film are still scarce, but the official description on IMDB reads: “Follow SpongeBob as he journeys into the depths of the ocean to meet the ghost of the Flying Dutchman.” Sounds right, doesn’t it? It’s possible this is just a quick movie tie-in with no connection to the previous games, but given THQ’s obvious love for older games, it would be a little out of place.

Revenge of the Flying Dutchman sees SpongeBob trying to save his pet sea snail Gary from the clutches of a pirate captain after he accidentally disturbs his sleep. It’s an action platformer Battle for Bikini Bottom. You travel through seven unique locations, collect the Dutchman’s treasures and prepare the sponge for the big fight with his ghostly enemy. Most of the series regulars – Plankton, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, etc. – appear along the way, giving SpongeBob tasks to complete, bringing him closer to his ultimate goal. From fixing TV antennas to winning karate matches against Larry the Lobster, the place is jam-packed with SpongeBob-themed chaos.

A reimagined version of the game, first released in 2002, could definitely speed up the action, as THQ Nordic did with Battle for Bikini Bottom rehydrated. This game retains all the charm of the original, and in our review we called it “a rewarding and genuinely fun restoration of a cult classic.”

Take it with a grain of salt, but it certainly seems like players will suffer the wrath of the Dutchman next year when this untitled project finally hits shelves or, more likely, digital storefronts. Wow, it really isn’t 2002 anymore.