SpongeBob's: Atlantis Squarepantis squeezes onto DS

Love him or loathe him, a handful of new SpongeBob screenshots surely can't fail to bring a smile you your face on a Wednesday. Just look at his bright winking face and globulous starfish friend – they're clearly having a whale of a time in Bikini Bottom land.

THQ's latest cartoon platform adventure soaks you up once again into the role of the walking sponge, as well as that of five of his friends – Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Mr Krabs and Plankton.

After stumbling across a lost magical amulet, the gang are transported to the lost city of Atlantis. SpongeBob then sets about finding the thing he's always been looking for. No, not a sweaty crevice to get on and clean, but the 'World's Oldest Bubble'. With the evil Plankton hellbent on bursting his bubble though, it won't be easy.

The game features plenty of touchscreen antics – including, in no particular order, a customisable SpongeBob, Atlantean tank driving, firing ice creams at enemies and creating music to power the magical bus to Atlantis. It'll also have multiplayer mini-games for up to four players.

It all looks like good, clean, crazy fun to us. THQ has announced an October 23rd release date for the game in the US but it looks like we'll have a bit longer to wait for the game here. THQ are predicting it'll be with us in February 2008.