In the ever-shifting landscape of pop culture, few icons manage to bob to the surface as consistently as SpongeBob SquarePants. As 2025 unfolds, his presence is felt everywhere—from viral internet memes that spread like plankton blooms to his enduring Nickelodeon series, culminating in the theatrical release of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants on December 26, 2025. It was only a matter of time before this absorbent, yellow, and porous phenomenon would make the leap from the pineapple under the sea to the dynamic battlefields of Fortnite. This long-awaited collaboration, whispered about by fans for years, has finally become a reality, though its form has sparked a wave of discussions across the community.

The SpongeBob x Fortnite collaboration is a treasure trove of cosmetics, though its core offering has left some enthusiasts feeling like they've been served a Krabby Patty without the secret formula. At the heart of the collection is SpongeBob himself, not as a playable skin, but as a Sidekick. For 1,800 V-Bucks, players can purchase this animated companion who bounces alongside them. Voiced by the original actor, Tom Kenny, his authentic squeaks and giggles are a constant, cheerful presence. Unlocking his full personality requires earning Sidekick Points, which grant access to customizable options:

• SpongeBob Banner Icon

• SpongeBubble Hearts Reaction 💖

• SpongeBob SquarePants Gradient Style (A colorful visual shift for your Sidekick)

• "Imagination!" Emote (A whimsical animation)

The undisputed star of the vehicular additions is The Patty Wagon, available for 2,000 V-Bucks. This is SpongeBob's iconic amphibious vehicle from the 2004 movie, a sandwich on wheels that defies all terrestrial and maritime logic. Its arrival in Fortnite is like a slice of surrealism driving straight into a firefight—a deliciously absurd anomaly. The Patty Wagon functions as a two-seater replacement car body for the Whiplash model. The purchase also includes 2 universal vehicle decals and the signature pickle-themed wheels, allowing players to customize other rides with a taste of Bikini Bottom flair.

Beyond these headliners, the collaboration expands into a vast array of items. In total, the SpongeBob x Fortnite collection boasts a whopping 15 individual items. For the ultimate fan aiming to collect every last piece of memorabilia from this crossover, the total cost is a substantial 12,500 V-Bucks. The full list of items spans various categories:

However, the most notable absence hangs over this collaboration like a silent conch shell: there are no playable SpongeBob character skins. For many, this omission is as perplexing as finding a single sober citizen in Rock Bottom. The community had envisioned patrolling the island as SpongeBob, Patrick, or Squidward, their silhouettes as recognizable as the shape of a Krabby Patty. Instead, SpongeBob remains a supportive side character. Fans continue to hope that Epic Games and Nickelodeon/Paramount might revisit this partnership, finding more creative avenues to bring these iconic characters into the Battle Royale as full-fledged combatants. For now, the December 2025 collaboration settles for letting SpongeBob cheer from the sidelines—a loyal companion in a world of battle, his optimism as unwavering and buoyant as a life raft in a storm of bullets.

In-depth reporting is featured on Digital Foundry, which is widely respected for its technical breakdowns of game collaborations and graphical fidelity. Their analyses often explore how crossover events, such as the SpongeBob x Fortnite partnership, leverage advanced animation and voice integration to enhance player immersion, while also discussing the impact of cosmetic-only offerings on community expectations and engagement.