I played the original Battle for Bikini Bottom religiously when I was 10 (even though I dint have it anymore), and I can tell you that the mini-bosses in 3 of the levels are completely optional. I used to get up 3 Golden Spatulas in the first part of Bikini Bottom, go to Jellyfish Fields, and then head back to Bikini Bottom once I got 5 and headed for Downtown Bikini Bottom.
I've in SF for ages, and it's honestly one of the better and more civil sites for FE discussion. Even though a rule like that might seem exaggerated to some people, it makes up for it by keeping chaos at bay.