Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny (2025): The Review

Overview

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny stands out as one of the stronger Nicktoons titles. The story may be fairly average and the overall challenge a bit light, but the fun factor more than makes up for it. With its charming cast and playful themes, it’s a perfect pick for newcomers who just want to dive in and enjoy the ride.

Score: 8 out of 10

The Positives ✅

Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a huge surprise. After so many years without a Nicktoons title, the return feels more like a full-on revival than just a nostalgic callback. What makes this game shine brightest is how well it translates the spirit of Nickelodeon into a new genre. Turning the series into an action RPG in the vein of Diablo could have gone horribly wrong, but instead, it ends up being both a clever and rewarding move. Each character comes with their own unique class and abilities, and the fact that these kits are thematically tied to their shows makes the whole roster come alive. SpongeBob fighting with spatulas and healing himself with Krabby Patties is not only funny, but it also makes sense. Katara using waterbending for heals and buffs hits the exact sweet spot between flavor and function.

The character building is another highlight. Even though the gameplay loop isn’t revolutionary, the depth in gear, amulets, and rings gives players the ability to craft builds that actually feel satisfying. SpongeBob as an unstoppable tank or Timmy as the top DPS? Both are viable, and the systems are flexible enough that you can experiment endlessly. The gear also transfers between characters, which makes trying out different builds less of a grind and more of an open playground for creativity. This kind of depth is what sets the game apart from just being another licensed product.

The combat itself manages to stay engaging. Four core moves per character may sound simple, but the way abilities interact, like Katara’s ice powers doing bonus damage to frozen enemies, adds layers of strategy. The difficulty curve is well-paced too. Early levels let you experiment with spamming abilities, but by the third area the game forces you to think about resource management and positioning. That tension between feeling powerful and still being at risk makes for satisfying fights, especially when the bosses enter the picture.

Speaking of bosses, the designs are genuinely a delight. Plankton with abs is hilarious, Angelica with a spider-Cynthia is terrifying and clever, and every fight feels like it was designed with both humor and spectacle in mind. Some of them clearly favor ranged characters or multiplayer, but even then, they showcase the developers’ love for the source material. The fact that the bosses serve not just as obstacles but as world-building elements makes the whole story click together. Angelica’s fight, in particular, stands out as one of the most creative boss designs in any Nicktoons game to date.

Visually, the art style leans on bright colors and strong shading to give each map personality. While the actual level layouts are basic, the stylistic flair helps keep the game from looking dull. The Danny Phantom maps are a special standout, gorgeous enough to elevate the otherwise repetitive stage design. Combine that with the music—which pops and carries energy through even the most predictable areas, and you get a game that feels vibrant and alive.

The Negatives ⚠️

As much fun as it is, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny isn’t flawless. The first big issue lies in its map design, which is extremely straightforward. Levels are colorful and full of references, but structurally they’re bland: simple hallways, minor puzzles, and the occasional branching path. The callbacks to SpongeBob, TMNT, and other franchises carry things, but after a while, the stages start blending together. Without the art and music, this would’ve been dangerously close to feeling like filler.

Another drawback is the roster selection. While it’s exciting to see so many fan-favorite characters, Sandy Cheeks feels like a wasted slot. Not because she’s badly designed, her kit is fine, but because her inclusion means another property misses representation. The disappointment hits harder when you realize how good the last two unlockable characters are. Similarly, Susie from Rugrats has a great moveset, but her constant childlike dialogue becomes grating. It’s not the voice actor’s fault, they nailed the performance, but it still made me avoid playing her, no matter how good her kit was.

The story also leaves something to be desired. While it’s certainly better than past Nicktoons outings, it’s still mostly safe and predictable. The setup of Timmy wishing himself and the others into a fantasy RPG world is a fun idea, and some of the smaller story beats land well. But the overarching narrative is clearly aimed at younger players, which makes it feel shallow if you’re older. Boss redesigns into fantasy versions are clever, but not every villain gets that same creative treatment. The missed opportunity to fully lean into the theme makes the campaign less memorable than it could have been.

Difficulty is another odd spot. Even playing on Hard, the game feels relatively easy once you understand the systems. Yes, you can get punished for being reckless, but the challenge never quite matches the depth of the build system. Bosses sometimes feel tailored for ranged kits, which can be frustrating if you’re committed to a melee character like SpongeBob or Sandy. The systems are fun, but they don’t always get pushed to their full potential.

Finally, the hub area is underwhelming. It’s nice seeing Crimson Chin, Pearl, Mrs. Puff, and others hanging around, and their dialogue is spot-on, but the hub feels too spacious and lifeless overall. Quests given there are hit-or-miss, with some being fun diversions and others feeling like padding. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it adds to the sense that the game occasionally plays things too safe when it should be going wild.

The Experience 🎮

Playing Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny was a mix of nostalgia, surprise, and genuine excitement. Going into it, I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially since the last Nicktoons games leaned more toward 3D platformers, not action RPGs. My hesitation disappeared after the tutorial. The moment I swung SpongeBob’s spatula and ate a Krabby Patty for health, it clicked: this game understands exactly what fans want out of these characters.

As someone who grew up on Nickelodeon, there’s a special joy in seeing these shows collide in a way that feels authentic. The writers clearly know their stuff, because the dialogue is full of nods and in-jokes that only long-time fans will catch. Even little touches, like Mrs. Puff talking about finally staying out of trouble, make the game feel crafted with care. Every time I unlocked a new character or saw a reference tucked into the environment, I had that same giddy excitement I felt watching the shows as a kid.

The combat loop is where the game really hooked me. Building characters to fit my playstyle, experimenting with amulets and rings, and figuring out how to maximize each kit gave me the same rush I get from deeper RPGs. Even though the game isn’t super punishing, I loved the satisfaction of putting together a build that made SpongeBob unstoppable or turned Timmy into a glass cannon powerhouse. Boss fights, especially Angelica and Cynthia’s spider transformation, were moments where I had to stop and appreciate just how much creativity went into the design.

That said, there were moments of frustration. Playing melee characters against bosses designed for ranged combat felt unfair at times. Some story beats didn’t land with me because they were clearly written for a younger audience. And yes, Susie’s dialogue grated on me enough that I actively avoided her despite liking her kit. But these annoyances never overshadowed the fun I was having. The balance of nostalgia and genuinely solid mechanics kept me invested from start to finish.

By the time the credits rolled, I wasn’t ready for it to end. The story is fulfilling enough, but it leaves the door wide open for more. I found myself immediately thinking about replaying missions, tweaking builds, and hoping for DLC expansions. That’s the mark of a game that does more than just scratch the nostalgia itch, it builds something new while respecting the old. Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is far from perfect, but for me, it was pure joy from beginning to end.