This article has a talk page!This page details pre-release information and/or media for SpongeBob's Truth or Square (Wii, Xbox 360).
Developmental Timeline#
2008#
Unknown
Happiness Squared Pitch Video
On January 28, 2010, Heavy Iron developer Rob Roto uploaded a video titled "SpongeBob early video game demo" that showed off a very early build of SpongeBob's Truth or Square, then-titled SpongeBob SquarePants: Happiness Squared. While there was initial speculation about it being a cancelled game entirely, CEO Lyle Hall confirmed that Happiness Squared was the original name of Truth or Square, and that it was renamed close to the end of development to tie-in with the special.1
Being dated around 2008, it shows a number of changes:
- All of the levels shown-off (Kelp Forest, Bikini Bottom, and Rock Bottom) are in a completely different state than they are in the final. Curiously, the Nintendo DS game seems to be more inline with what is shown-off here, particularly with Rock Bottom.
- Whereas the final game uses mostly original assets, this pitch shows off a lot assets from Battle for Bikini Bottom and The Movie, including the Wooden Tikis, fish models, etc.
- Rather than conforming his body, SpongeBob attacks using his spatula. This includes a hockey puck throw not too dissimilar to the Bowling abilities from the previous games.
- Aside from the Wii, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS, the ending slide also mentions a PlayStation 2 version, which would've made it the last SpongeBob game for the system. This was seemingly scrapped early on, ultimately being replaced with the Xbox 360 version.
- Instead of a singular coin with SpongeBob's face, the Happiness Nuggets were meant to be varied (similar to the Shiny Objects and Manliness Points) and based on SpongeBob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs respectively.
- Enemies are shown to be Bikini Bottomites with weapons, rather than Plankton's robots. This was likely always meant to be a placeholder, seeing as they are using models from previous games.
- The bathtubs for the Water power-ups weren't implemented yet, with SpongeBob instead just transforming at will. An animation test showing the intended activation is used, though seems to show a rough model of a fountain instead
Early Image
An image found on the Xbox.com store page for the game. It depicts an early version of "24 Hours of Fun at the Krusty Krab".
- In the background, a few early Happiness Nuggets can be seen.
- The tubs that you inflate yourself in use different designs.
- This area is seen in the final game, but the boat-like geometry (which is seen shortly before you hop on the eel in the final) was changed to metal.
PatBot Concept Art
Concept art found on the Xbox.com store page for the game. It depicts a version of the PatBot.
- The inside of PatBot's mouth is green instead of red.
- The PatBot has more detailed body parts.
- The weak spot that requires the SpongeBuff power up was originally a yellow square with the final's circular belt on it rather than the circular belt itself.
2009#
Unknown#
Xbox Store Image#
Yet another image from the Xbox.com store page. Appears to depict a concept for a mechanic involving evolving attacks.
- The image on the right, showing the Patrick hammer powerup, seems to be a concept drawing.
Spring-Summer#
Demo Reel
Watch on YouTubeFootage from a 2009 Heavy Iron Studios demo reel, which shows a much later version of the game, but still using the early title.
- SpongeBob's animations are finalized, as he no-longer uses Spat (or Fifi).
- The video shows some early box-art using stock SpongeBob images.
- Most of the early alternate Happiness Nuggets are still being used.
- The tikis from Battle for Bikini Bottom are still there, but some of the final tikis also got added.
- Enemies have been finalized.
- The HUD is very different.
- The video confirms that both Bikini Bottom and the Salty Spitoon were originally going to be fully playable levels, while in the final version they're only used for boss-fights. "Bikini Bottom" is unused in the Spanish Wii version, and is also in the PSP and DS versions, the former as "Squidward's Talent Show".
- While Sandy & Patrick would've still been used as power ups, it also seems that they also would've been kept for longer, considering that Sandy's able to jump here.
- The SpongeBuff powerup was originally just SpongeBob with giant muscles.
- Unused Flying Plankton Robots are shown in "Meeting Sandy Cheeks" (which appears in the concept art).
Early Image
A prototype image of "Meeting Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy", found on the Xbox.com store page for the game.
- The tikis from Battle for Bikini Bottom can be seen being destroyed by the Patrick hammer powerup.
- The early Happiness Nuggets can also still be seen.
August#
Images
Two images taken from the portfolio of an artist who worked on the game showing the removed Bikini Bottom level, which appears in the PSP/DS releases where PSP gives it the name of "Squidward's Talent Show."
Trailer
- Another removed level can be seen, which appears in the PSP/DS releases with PSP giving it the name of "Ambush at the Krusty Krab."
- The HUD looks slightly different:
- The icons for SpongeBob and the buff powerup are different, with the buff powerup lacking the changed costume and only having one arm. Interestingly, the normal icon can be seen in the final version of the PSP release.
- SpongeBob's coin meter is missing the coin and the font is different.
- The buff powerup lacks the costume change.
- A clip from "24 Hours of Fun at the Krusty Krab" is seen, depicting the version of the level seen in the early image. While the tubs are now finalized, the boat geometry hadn't been changed to metal.
Second Trailer
- SpongeBob's house is lacking the guests.
Heavy Iron Studios Website#
Interestingly, the original Heavy Iron Studios website listed the final level (Hey, That's Not Your Formula, Plankton!), as "Becoming a Co-Cashier," referencing the episode The Algae's Always Greener. This was likely to avoid spoilers, even though it is seen early on that Plankton is the villain.
