In this game when you fill up your pink bar by collecting energy power cell thingy's. You can then press Triangle or Y to activate your characters' ability! Each player has its own different ability but to be honest most are usless except for like 2. Order from Useful to not : these when activated do not last forever, they last for like a few seconds upon using them

Squid: Attack x2 damage of weapons only (not meelee / hits) Sponge: Invincibility Krabs: x2 value of sprockets collected Sandy: x2 damage of melee / hits only (not weapons) Patrick x2 damage of power slam

In all catergories, squid is the best getting rid of enemies faster, means moving on faster. However if you find some spots harder, sponge is the way :)