Arcade1Up is well-known for its range of home arcade machines, but for its next release, the company is gearing up for some nautical nonsense with SpongeBob SquarePants. Fans of the hyper-energetic sponge can test their skills with a full-size claw machine, and it’s available to preorder for $600.
$600 | Release date TBD
Just like real-life claw machines, this SpongeBob SquarePants version comes with a selection of themed plushies that you can try your hand–or claw–at winning. Each plushie–SpongeBob, Patrick, Plankton, and Sandy–has a cubic shape that will make them easier for the claw to grasp, and there are also six plastic prize capsule toys included here. Arcade1Up says the machine will offer three distinct modes of play, ranging from Easy Mode for kids or beginners to Normal Mode for a balanced challenge. Or if you feel like a dose of reality, Scam Mode will put your skills to the test.
The cabinet also features a light-up marquee, glowing control buttons, and an internal ceiling light alongside various images of SpongeBob and the main cast of the long-running cartoon series. The full cabinet measures over five feet tall, so you’ll want to make certain you have some space at home for it.
This isn’t the first time that Arcade1Up has produced a claw machine, and if you’d like one that doesn’t feature SpongeBob gleefully staring at you, you can grab a unit for $550 through Amazon. While you don’t get any plushie toys included with it, it does have a more retro-inspired design, and it comes with 12 plastic capsules that you can add prizes to. Like the SpongeBob machine, you can set it to Easy, Normal, or Scam modes.
SpongeBob fans looking to revisit Bikini Bottom can also preorder SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide ahead of its release on November 18 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2, and PC. The new 3D platformer will let players switch between SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick on the fly, as they find themselves caught in the middle of a war between King Neptune and the Flying Dutchman.
Several versions are available to preorder, including a $40 standard edition and a $90 Ghostly Tides Edition. Both of these editions are available in physical and digital formats, and preorder bonuses include the Natural Costume Pack, a “cheeky” selection of outfits for SpongeBob and Patrick.