Nickelodeon hadn’t released a true crossover game in over a decade. The revival of the Nicktoons brand could have easily ended up being a lazy nostalgia play. Instead, Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny emerges as a surprisingly well-crafted action RPG, swapping its platforming roots for a top-down, Diablo-style combat format that’s much deeper and more engaging than its colorful exterior suggests.
nicktoon deep cuts
What immediately stands out is the size and diversity of the roster. Famous characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom, Timmy Turner, and Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender serve as anchors, but the real fun lies in the number of lesser-seen characters introduced throughout the campaign.
Icons like The Crimson Chin, Mrs Puff, and Pearl appear not only as cameos, but also as functional mission-givers and unlockable fighters. Developers understand that Nickelodeon’s appeal lies not only in its headliners, but also in the personalities who play them. Whether you grew up in the ’90s, early 2000s, or even beyond, there’s a good chance you’ll come across some unexpected characters.
Credit: GameMill Entertainment
Importantly, casts are not treated as interchangeable skins. Each character comes with a bespoke move set and class archetype. SpongeBob is a night-style tank, Katara acts as a healer/support, and Timmy acts as a fast, high-damage caster thanks to Cosmo and Wanda always firing spells next to him. Even within a familiar ARPG framework, these character kits feel unusually thoughtful.
The ability not only looks visually accurate to each show; They operate in a mechanically appropriate manner. Katara can freeze enemies before causing bonus damage from follow-up attacks. SpongeBob can use the Krabby Patty to heal himself during battle. Sandy can perform powerful melee combos similar to the Barbarian.
Diablo style progression
The game’s progression system is also a pleasant surprise. Each character can be fully equipped with weapons, armor, rings, and amulets, and the loot pool is shared so upgrades are reflected across the roster. The change in genre may seem intimidating at first for younger or more casual players, but the system is more intuitive than it seems.
It keeps builds simple for those who prefer plug-and-play progression, but also has enough stat depth and item synergies to satisfy veteran ARPG players looking for optimization. Even on higher difficulties, combat maintains a satisfying balance between accessibility and outcome. While early areas allow for brute force attacks, later missions require ability management and spatial awareness, especially during boss encounters.
Speaking of which, the boss battles are also one of the highlights of this game. These encounters are often comedically staged and feature re-imagined versions of classic Nickelodeon villains adapted into “fantasy RPG” variants that fit the tabletop themed premise of Dice of Destiny.
Plankton, who appears with exaggerated muscles, and Angelica, commanding a giant spider version of Cynthia, are both humorous and mechanically appealing. These battles aren’t overly punishing, but they do require real strategy and reward smart exchanges between characters.
Structurally, the campaign spans thematic worlds inspired by different franchises, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Danny Phantom. Visually, these areas do a great job of capturing the spirit of each series, with a vibrant palette and recognizable motifs. However, in terms of layout and design, the levels are more functional than original.
Corridor-like routes and repeating waves of enemies form the main loop, occasionally broken up by simple puzzles or fetch-style quest objectives. Younger viewers are likely to be hooked to the end, but older players may find the environments lacking in variety compared to the personalities shown in the character kits.
Credit: GameMill Entertainment
Fortunately, audio design can help improve repeat quality. The soundtrack is energetic and period-appropriate, blending an orchestral fantasy style with playful riffs that recall title cards and theme songs from Nickelodeon’s history. The voice work is authentic across the board, and the side characters in the hub area provide some of the best writing in the game. The developers wisely avoided overloading players with childish humor, instead opting for dialogue that respects each character’s natural rhythm and personality without being too childish or modern.
The hub world itself acts as both a social space and a mission board, and grows in population as the story progresses. It’s physically oversized and somewhat barren in terms of interactivity, but it thrives solely on the appearance of the characters. Seeing Pearl and Mrs. Puff casually banter in a fantasy tavern while Crimson Chin soliloquizes nearby adds a flavor that never gets old. Sidequests are light but rarely onerous, often offering simple rewards or optional combat tests.
The overall story is practical and understated, centering around Timmy Turner accidentally dragging multiple Nicktoon worlds into a fantasy world after wanting to join a tabletop RPG. It primarily serves as a structural device to justify the crossover, rather than an emotional core. Younger viewers may find it quirky and adventurous.
Older players will still enjoy it without falling into over-the-top fanfiction territory. Importantly, the writing is never embarrassed by its premise, allowing players to embrace the absurdity without tiring of irony.
There are some small drawbacks to be aware of. Not all characters are equally satisfying to control, and some players may find themselves drawn to a select few rather than a frequent rotation. Certain boss encounters are clearly designed with multiplayer in mind, leading to a somewhat clunky pacing in solo play. And as strong as the overall fan service is, it’s hard not to wish for an even broader roster, especially from an underrated series.
Credit: GameMill Entertainment
However, these are criticisms made out of enjoyment rather than disappointment. Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny succeeds not only as a solid all-ages ARPG, but also as a true celebration of Nickelodeon’s heritage. It doesn’t just reference the past, it actively repurposes it into a mechanically sound and surprisingly fun gameplay loop.
If this is the beginning of a new era for the franchise, the possibilities are enormous. With post-launch support and DLC, this could easily grow into a long-running platform for nostalgic crossovers. Even in its basic form, it’s easy to recommend to Nickelodeon fans, ARPG enthusiasts, or anyone looking for something light-hearted yet mechanically challenging.
final thoughts
Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny is a welcome return to the series, replacing platform nostalgia with a surprisingly solid action-RPG format.
It’s smart, colorful, and clearly made by developers who understand why these characters are important in the first place. A must-play for Nickelodeon fans and a pleasant surprise for ARPG newbies and veterans alike.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlights: Great roster featuring both iconic and obscure Nicktoon characters. Incredibly deep combat and build customization for a family-friendly title. Faithful ability set and dialogue that respects the original work. A fun boss fight with an original fantasy-themed redesign. Energetic soundtrack and strong voice performance
Cons: Level layout and mission structure can get repetitive. Some characters feel significantly stronger or more fun than others. The hub area is thematically fun but mechanically underutilized
Developer: Fairplay Labs & Petit Fabrik
Publisher: GameMill Entertainment
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro using a code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image provided by the publisher.
