Say what you’ll concerning the newest iteration of the Xbox, however for my cash Microsoft has a number of the greatest and goofiest merch of the era, like a tiny hoodie for your controller or an Xbox Series X-shaped mini-fridge. The newest particular version of the console itself is a superb instance. To have a good time the launch of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, Microsoft is releasing a Series X bundle with the visage of Spongebob Squarepants printed on 4 sides of the notably square-ish sport console.

I believe it’s a reasonably ingenious use of the IP. One, Spongebob’s famously sq. default form lends itself properly to the Series X, no less than for those who don’t thoughts his large, smiling face staring out at you out of your leisure middle. And two, the Spongebob Squarepants cartoon is an plain traditional, now 25 years previous (ugh, I can really feel that one in my backbone). In different phrases it’s good nostalgia bait for millennials like me, which is kind of the whole premise of the Smash Bros-type Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl combating sport.

I additionally actually just like the controller, with its Mondrian-esque structure of all of the Spongebob characters festooned upon the faceplate. Look how Squidward will get so sometimes shoved onto the deal with whereas Gary the Snail will get premium billing, and Plankton’s eyebrow completely curves alongside the analog stick. That’s artwork.

How are you able to get your arms, hooks, tentacles, pseudopods, or different nautically-themed appendages on this particular version bundle? Step one, shop at a US Best Buy starting at 8 AM on March 7th, two days from now. Step two, hand over…seven hundred American {dollars} for the console, controller, and sport. That’s a giant ouch for a third-place console that frequently goes on sale. But who may put a worth on a sport console that appears like a cartoon sea sponge?

Best Buy may. That worth is $699.99. Good luck.