The Sims 4’s SpongeBob Collab Gave Me 2020 Flashbacks at First, But Luckily It Proved to Have Teeth

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I wasn’t thrilled when I first heard about the SpongeBob collaboration in The Sims 4. The announcement felt very…Nickelodeon, and instantly I was flooded with memories of 2020. I had a visceral reaction – a rush of anxiety, a sense of overwhelm, and even a strange craving for the popcorn from Galaxy’s Edge. It was a classic overreaction from a dedicated Sims player.

I went into the SpongeBob collaboration expecting disappointment, honestly. I’ve been burned by The Sims 4’s previous crossovers, like the one with Star Wars’ Batuu, which many players disliked. But after taking a break and getting some fresh air, I realized this one wasn’t bad at all! It wasn’t even messy or chaotic – it was actually pretty cute. Considering how The Sims 4 handles these kinds of partnerships, that’s a real success.

What Was The Sims 4 Star Wars: Journey to Batuu?

If you’re new to it, or like me, need a refresher, the Journey to Batuu game pack for The Sims 4 lets you experience the world of Star Wars. It sounded amazing: lightsabers, famous characters, different groups to join, and the chance to bring the fun of Star Wars into your Sims’ lives.

Instead of being a success, Batuu ended up serving as a warning. It was like a digital copy of Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge, accurately recreated within the Sims game, but lacking excitement. The game offered limited storylines, kept players separate from other expansion packs, was full of technical issues, didn’t add any new supernatural Sim options, and just didn’t feel like a natural part of the Sims experience.

As a big Sims fan, I was really disappointed with Batuu. It just didn’t feel special enough to be worth buying, and honestly, almost everyone else felt the same way. It got such a bad reaction that it ended up being something people skipped altogether, and now I automatically get a little anxious whenever a new collaboration pack comes out – I’m always worried it’ll be another Batuu!

The Sims 4’s SpongeBob Collab Is Surprisingly Sensible

My husband is the real Star Wars fan in our family – he could explain the entire Jedi-versus-villain conflict with detailed charts! While I don’t know everything about it, it was obvious that Batuu didn’t offer the open, creative gameplay that makes The Sims so enjoyable. I worried the same would be true for the SpongeBob collaboration.

The Sims 4 recently partnered with SpongeBob SquarePants, releasing two add-on packs: the SpongeBob’s House Kit and the Kid’s Room Kit. You can buy these packs individually or together as the Bikini Bottom Bundle, which is available until March 3, 2026. These packs are designed to be relatively small, and in this instance, that’s a good thing. The creators made a smart choice by focusing on simple, cosmetic items rather than a large, complex expansion like the one for Batuu.

SpongeBob’s House Kit

Image via EA
  • Build pieces themed around the iconic pineapple home, including the SpongeBob’s Diver Helmet TV and the Foghorn Alarm
  • Nautical-nonsense decor that walks the line between playful and useful
  • A few novelty environment items that riff on undersea textures, colors, and shapes

Kid’s Room Kit

Image via EA
  • Character-inspired furniture and wall decor
  • SpongeBob outfits, costumes, and themed pajamas
  • Toys like the Krusty Krab dollhouse and a charming Patrick plush

Bikini Bottom Bundle (Combines both packs’ contents with the following exclusives)

  • The Flying Dutchman’s Jungle Gym
  • The Goofy Goober Guitar
  • Conch Street Aquarium

Okay, so this isn’t exactly a groundbreaking change to The Sims 4, and honestly, some fans aren’t thrilled about the SpongeBob stuff. But unlike the Star Wars Batuu world, this collab feels…safe. It’s giving us fun, cool-looking items we can just add to our games however we like, without making any big, complicated promises. It’s just nice stuff to play with, and that’s a good thing!

The Sims 4’s SpongeBob Collab Actually Shows Promise

The Sims games used to frequently feature major celebrities and brands in their downloadable content, but that’s become less common. While The Sims 3 enthusiastically embraced collaborations like the one with Katy Perry, The Sims 4 now generally focuses on partnerships with influencers, fashion brands, and smaller creators. That’s why the recent announcement of a SpongeBob SquarePants collaboration feels significant – especially considering the mixed reception to the Journey to Batuu expansion, making a degree of skepticism understandable.

Okay, so The Sims 4 feels like it’s settled into a comfortable routine now. It’s got so much content already, and it’s basically laying the groundwork for whatever Project Rene ends up being. Honestly, The Sims 4 doesn’t need to try and reinvent the wheel at this point, but it does need to make clever choices with what it adds. And surprisingly, the new SpongeBob pack actually shows they’re starting to get that – it feels like they’re learning what works!

  1. Sims Kits are the safest place for collabs.
  2. Themed items beat themed narratives in this engine. SpongeBob decor doesn’t interrupt gameplay. Batuu’s missions isolated the player from any other gameplay possibilities.
  3. The content is actually versatile. A nautical facade can be played straight, camp, surrealist, tiki-adjacent, nautical, or uncanny. The kids’ items integrate into any household. The bundle bonuses are characterful without being restrictive.
Maxis / EA

The Collab Still Has Limits — But They’re the Right Ones

Let’s be realistic: this isn’t a groundbreaking change. It’s not a complete rebuild of the game like a major mod for Skyrim, or a huge update like the Seasons expansion. The Sims 4 is built in a way that makes those kinds of massive overhauls impossible, and partnerships don’t change that.

For brand collaborations, this approach hits the mark: it’s small-scale, relevant to the game, doesn’t disrupt gameplay, and easily skipped if players aren’t interested. While the standard isn’t high, a successful partnership is better than a failed one. Many longtime players fondly remember when Sims expansion packs were quirky and memorable, and these crossovers are a fun, lighthearted way to capture that same spirit at a crucial time for the franchise.

The Lesson Learned: SpongeBob Versus Journey to Batuu

The recent SpongeBob collaboration shows that The Sims 4 is doing a good job with its partnerships. SpongeBob is a smart choice because almost everyone recognizes the characters, the collaboration isn’t overly complicated, it looks good in the game, and it makes sense for a life simulation. It’s not a revolutionary addition, but after the disappointing Journey to Batuu expansion, simply ‘fitting’ in feels like a real win.

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2025-12-10 18:35