Few people, a lot of Nickelodeon execs among them, ever thought a cartoon about an angry, sea-bottom dwelling sponge would become the mega-hit it has become–on TV, in film and in licensed consumer products. But it has.

Today you can add one more notch to the belt of the show’s creators. THQ Inc. announced this morning that SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! is now being shipped for PlayStation2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance and Windows PC. Lights, Camera, PANTS! is the first multiplayer game in the SpongeBob series, based on Nickelodeon’s chart-topping show.

“We’re thrilled with the success of the video games," says Kelly Flock, executive vice president of THQ worldwide publishing, "and are excited to offer a brand new game that allows both families and friends to play together.”

In the game, up to four players can engage in co-operative and competitive play for the first time in the SpongeBob video game series. In the scenario, when the producers of The New Adventures of Mermaidman & Barnacleboy come to Bikini Bottom to film a special episode, all the locals are desperate to impress the talent scouts. Gamers can play the role of SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Plankton as they compete for 10 different roles including the coveted super villain role.

"It’s an exciting addition to the library of games based on the characters and world of Bikini Bottom,” says Stephen Youngwood, senior vice president, entertainment products, Nickelodeon and Viacom consumer products. “The popularity of the show continues to thrive and the success of the video games is a testament to the growing base of interactive fans.”