Why The Sims 4’s SpongeBob Kits Deserve a Second Look

SpongeBob SquarePants has officially made a splash in The Sims 4 with the release of two new Kits on December 4. Coinciding with the upcoming launch of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, players can now grab the SpongeBob’s House Kit and SpongeBob Kids Room Kit. Reactions to these Kits have been quite mixed; some see them as a cash grab from a company running out of ideas, while others are genuinely excited about the playful additions. After diving into the pack, I believe both perspectives can coexist.

Growing up, one of my best friends had a room decked out in SpongeBob decor—bright yellow walls, curtains featuring his face, the whole shebang. So, the over-the-top aesthetic of many items in this pack didn’t faze me much. However, I appreciate versatile furniture, so I set out to see if I could create a room that feels somewhat normal using this Kit.

The verdict? Sort of. Some pieces, like the fishing-hook end table, a versatile rug, and a few swatches of the oversized fishing lure, have broader applications and could easily fit in both Brindleton Bay and Bikini Bottom.

Then there are items that clearly reference SpongeBob but aren’t overly flashy, such as the dinghy bookcase and framed wall art. These come with various swatches featuring nods to Mr. Krabs’ first dollar (both the original and the painted version) and the iconic handsome Squidward. The latter could definitely find a place in adult Sim households as a quirky millennial decor piece.

At their core, both Kits are unapologetically SpongeBob, making them perfect for child Sims (especially the Kids Room Kit, but both have appeal for younger players). There are numerous swatches to create rooms themed around various SpongeBob characters, from Patrick to Pearl to the yellow guy himself. As someone who enjoys family-oriented gameplay, I’m always thrilled to see new themed options for kids’ rooms.

Some items feature unexpected detail, like the Krusty Krab playset. When Sims interact with it, you can spot dolls of Man Ray and Barnacle Boy, which I found delightful. My favorite surprise was the foghorn alarm clock, which shakes the entire house when it goes off, making me laugh out loud at its absurdity.

However, there are a few letdowns, particularly the magic conch. For such an iconic item, its design is disappointing, resembling a vague collection of purple polygons, and it lacks any interactivity. If there had been even one interaction where Sims could pick it up and pull a string to hear a Simlish “no,” it would have been much better.

There are also missed opportunities, like the absence of pool decor. How hard would it have been to include a few decals for underwater tiles or even a kiddie pool with a SpongeBob theme?

So, did this Kit really need to exist? It certainly has the feel of a movie tie-in, and some items fall short, but it doesn’t feel entirely thoughtless or soulless. Kits are the simplest form of DLC in The Sims 4, so they’re not going to be groundbreaking.

What this Kit did provide, though, were moments of genuine silly joy. Is it just nostalgia kicking in as I recognize references from my childhood? Maybe, but I don’t mind, because now I can hang “Bold and Brash” in my Sims’ homes, and that brings me joy. It’s also easy for adult players to forget that many kids love the game, and many of them likely adore SpongeBob too.

I don’t mind the inclusion of real-life brands in The Sims 4—I once spent an entire afternoon tracking down specific meshes to add Lush products to my Sim’s bathroom, so the immersion-breaking argument doesn’t resonate with me. For players who aren’t fans of SpongeBob SquarePants or dislike the idea of existing IPs in the game, this Kit isn’t for you. However, I believe there’s a specific audience that will enjoy it.

The Sims 4 SpongeBob’s House Kit and SpongeBob’s Kids Room Kit are available now on PlayStation, Windows PC, and Xbox.