Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit)

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:: General Info ::
Title (USA)
   Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Title (Europe)
   Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Developer
   Compile
   Sega of America
Platform
   Sega Game Gear
   Sega Master System
Format
   2M cartridge
Genre
   Puzzle

:: Release Info ::
USA
   December, 1993
Europe
   January, 1994
Latin America
   July 26, 1994

:: Game Credits ::
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:: Platforms ::
Sega Game Gear
   Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Sega Master System
   Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Nintendo GameCube
   Sonic Adventure DX
Sony PlayStation 2
   Sonic Mega Collection Plus
Microsoft Xbox
   Sonic Mega Collection Plus

Windows PC
   Sonic Adventure DX
   Sonic Mega Collection Plus
Mobile
   Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

:: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit) ::
Last update: 04/03/06

:: Gameplay Info ::

Like its Mega Drive counterpart, the Game Gear version of Mean Bean Machine is a modified version of Compile's Puyo Puyo, specifically of the Game Gear port of Sega's arcade Puyo. The why's and how-to's haven't changed, so if you're looking for a detailed synopsis of the mechanics, refer to the museum page of the aforementioned Mega Drive version.

As might be expected, some of the sheen had to be sacrificed in the step down to Game Gear. Robotnik and his cronies are notably less animated and the pre-round trash talking has been eliminated (most would agree for the better). The multiple difficulty settings are gone - one size fits all in 8-bit land. The Scenario Mode (Hitori de Puyo Puyo), apart from the aforementioned devolution, is unchanged. Opponents are the same - all pulled from Dic's low-budget Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon show - and are fought in the same order.

The game also features a Gear-to-Gear Mode (Futari de Puyo Puyo) for versus battles and the ongoing Excercise Mode (Tokoton Puyo Puyo) for personal training. Most notable, however, is the Game Gear exclusive Puzzle Mode (Nazo Nazo Puyo Puyo). This is a series of 30 challenges in which the object is to utilize the Puyo mechanics to perform a unique task. Ie, eliminate all red Beans, initiate a 5-chain Bean cascade, etc. Although none of them were released outside Japan, Compile released several follow-up games based on Nazo Puyo mode.

:: Comparison :: Sega also released Master System versions of Mean Bean Machine in Latin America and parts of Europe. It's mostly the same except for some slight visual changes. It's interesting to note that this is the only version of Puyo ever released on Mark III / Master System hardware in any territory.

In 2003, Sega of America introduced its mobile line-up under the Sega Mobile label. One of the first games released was a port of the Game Gear version of Mean Bean Machine, compatible with Palm Tungsten C, Tungsten T, and Zire 71. I haven't had the opportunity to play the mobile version, but I assume it's a direct port.

:: Lost in Translation :: Like the Mega Drive version, the original Game Gear Puyo Puyo is a port of Sega's C-2 arcade version. Differences between this and Mean Bean Machine are mostly cosmetic. There's no password feature, but you can start from level 1 or 4, or play a 3 level training mode that was removed from Mean Bean. Passwords in Nazo Puyo consist of 5 characters (as opposed to Mean Bean Machine's 4). Other than that, the two games are identical.

Like all handheld consoles, the Game Gear lacks region lock-out, meaning a Japanese cartridge will play on an American system or vice-versa without requiring any special surgery or dubious swap tricks. When you play Puyo Puyo on an American or European Game Gear, the title is changed to Puzlow Kids, though it was not released in either territory under this title.

:: Codes :: Passwords to Scenario Mode:

Stage 02 --