SpongeBob SquarePants: Obstacle Odyssey is a series of platform games based on the show. The first game, 3D Obstacle Odyssey, was released in 2004 as part of "Nick Arcade", a collection of video games based on various Nicktoons. A sequel, Obstacle Odyssey 2: Time Trouble, was released in 2007.
These games provide examples of:
- Acrofatic: Mr. Krabs isn't necessarily "fat" but you probably wouldn't expect him to be the speedster of the playable cast as he is in Time Trouble.
- Actionized Sequel: Downplayed. While there is no combat in Time Trouble, there are new obstacles that are actively hostile to the player, such as catapults, and the unlockable characters have unique abilities.
- And Now for Someone Completely Different: SpongeBob is the main playable character of 3D Obstacle Odyssey, while Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy are playable for bonus stages.
- Art Evolution: The graphics of Time Trouble are significantly better than those of 3D Obstacle Odyssey.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: While the other Bonus Stage characters get return for Time Trouble and even become fully playable after SpongeBob rescues them, Squidward is completely absent.
- Continuity Nod: The Beginning of Time and Future stages of Time Trouble are modeled after the respective time periods as depicted in "SB-129". The Middle Ages are modeled after "Dunces and Dragons".
- Double Jump: Sandy's unique ability in Time Trouble.
- New Work, Recycled Graphics: 3D Obstacle Odyssey is quite literally just Big Fish Games' Best Friends with its models and textures replaced with SpongeBob characters and art.
- Nostalgia Level: Some stages in Time Trouble are borrowed from 3D Obstacle Odyssey, such as "Sidewinder" being "In Your Dreams".
- Sequel Escalation: While 3D Obstacle Odyssey was just an asset flip of a pre-existing game, Time Trouble is more of its own unique game with new boards, obstacles, and better models. Only a select few boards are recycled from the first game.
