View source for Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title      = Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
| image      = Sonic Mean Bean Machine.jpg
| caption    = North American cover art
| developer  = [[Compile (company)|Compile]]
| publisher  = [[Sega]]
| engine     = <!--Wikidata-->
| director   = {{ubl|Tetsuo Shinyu|Takayuki Yanagihori|Masanobu Tsukamoto}}
| producer   = {{ubl|Yoji Ishii|Noriyoshi Oba|Masamitsu Niitani|Max Taylor}}
| designer   =
| programmer = {{ubl|Manabu Ishihara|Tsukasa Aoki}}
| artist     =
| writer     =
| composer   = {{ubl|Masanori Hikichi|Masayuki Nagao}}
| series     = {{ubl|''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''|''[[Puyo Puyo]]''}}
| platforms  = {{ubl|[[Sega Genesis]]|[[Game Gear]]|[[Master System]]}}
| released   = {{ubl|'''Sega Genesis'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 1993<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_52/page/n256/mode/1up|title=Fact File: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=52|date=November 1993|page=256|accessdate=January 10, 2022}}</ref>|EU|January 21, 1994<ref>{{cite news |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e9/DailyExpress_UK_1994-01-21_10.jpg |title=Dixons New Games Software Released Today for Sega Mega Drive |date=January 21, 1994 |newspaper=[[Daily Express]] |access-date=October 6, 2024}}</ref>}}|'''Game Gear'''{{vgrelease|NA|December 1993<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Earth Angel |date=February 1994 |title=ProReview Game Gear: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/11/GamePro_US_055.pdf |access-date=November 13, 2024 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |page=150}}</ref>|EU|March 1994<ref name="8-bit">{{cite web|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine: 8-bit Review|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b9/SegaPower_UK_53.pdf|work=[[Sega Power]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=24 September 2024 |date=April 1994 |pages=38-39}}</ref>}}|'''Master System'''{{vgrelease|EU|March 1994<ref name="8-bit" />}}}}
| genre      = [[Falling block puzzle]]
| modes      = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine'''''{{efn|Alternatively named '''''Dr. Robotnik and His Mean Bean Machine''''' in European countries outside the United Kingdom and {{nihongo|'''''Dr. Eggman's Mean Bean Machine'''''|{{ruby|Dr.|ドクター}}エッグマンのミーンビーンマシーン|Dokutā Egguman no Mīn Bīn Mashīn}} in Japanese compilation releases.}} is a [[List of puzzle video games#Falling block puzzles|falling block puzzle]] [[video game]] developed by [[Compile (company)|Compile]] and published by [[Sega]]. It was released for the [[Sega Genesis / Mega Drive]] and [[Game Gear]] in 1993 and ported to the [[Master System]] in 1994.

The game is a Westernized version of Compile's ''[[Puyo Puyo (video game)|Puyo Puyo]]'' (1991), replacing almost all of its characters with those from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' franchise, specifically the ''[[Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' animated series. The ''Puyo Puyo'' character Carbuncle appears under the name "Has Bean" and makes different animations depending on how the player plays the game. The gameplay is similar to puzzle games such as ''[[Tetris]]'', in which the player organises coloured shapes as they descend a board. The plot sees ''Sonic'' antagonist [[Doctor Robotnik]] kidnapping residents from Beanville and turning them into robots. The game received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the gameplay but criticising the difficulty.

==Premise and gameplay==
{{see also|Puyo Puyo#Gameplay}}
[[File: DRMBM Screenshot.png|thumb|left|Gameplay of the final stage]]
The game is set on the planet Mobius, which is inhabited by bean-like creatures. [[Doctor Eggman|Doctor Robotnik]] conceives a plan to bring terror to the world by kidnapping the citizens of Beanville and turning them into robot slaves, and eventually creating an army that will help him rid the planet of fun and joy. To achieve this, he creates the "Mean Bean-Steaming Machine" in order to transform the bean-like creatures into robots. Putting his plan into motion, Robotnik sends out his Henchbots to gather all the bean-like creatures and group them together in dark dungeons so they can be sent to the Mean Bean-Steaming Machine.{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=1}} The rest of the game's story revolves around the [[player character]], "Has Bean",{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=13}} and their journey to stop Robotnik's henchmen by breaking into the dungeons and freeing the bean-like creatures.

''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine'' is based on ''[[Puyo Puyo (video game)|Puyo Puyo]]'', a Japanese falling-block [[puzzle game]]. In the story, players must rescue Beanville from Dr. Robotnik and his army of Badniks. In Scenario Mode, the player plays against 13 increasingly challenging computer opponents. In the [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] 1P vs 2P Mode, two players battle against each other, and in Exercise Mode, players can simply practice.{{sfn|Compile|1993|pp=11–12}}{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=13}} The Game Gear and Master System versions feature an additional mode, Puzzle Mode, in which players must attempt to clear predetermined sets of beans.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}} On each player's grid, groups of beans fall from the top of the screen and can be moved and rotated until they reach the bottom. When four beans of the same colour are matched together, they disappear from the grid, causing any beans above to drop.<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="jeux" />{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=6}} These beans can trigger other matches, resulting in chain [[Combo (video games)|combos]].{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=6}} By performing chain combos, players can send grey "refugee beans" to hinder their opponent. These beans cannot be matched normally and can only be removed by completing a match adjacent to them.{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=7}} A player loses when beans spill over the top of the board, leaving them unable to add more beans into the grid.{{sfn|Compile|1993|p=15}}

==Development and release==
''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine'' is a Westernised version of ''[[Puyo Puyo (video game)|Puyo Puyo]]'' (1991), a Japanese falling-block puzzle game developed by [[Compile (company)|Compile]] and released for the [[MSX2]] in 1991.<ref name="EuroG" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/puyopuyo/puyopuyo2.htm|title=Puyo Puyo|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220005121/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/puyopuyo/puyopuyo2.htm|archive-date=20 February 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> Fearing that the game would not be popular with Western audiences, Sega replaced the characters of ''Puyo Puyo'' with those from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' franchise, particularly those from the 1993 ''[[Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' animated series.{{sfn|''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' staff|1993|p=256}} An [[8-bit]] version was also released for the [[Game Gear]] in the same year and the [[Master System]] in the following year, adapted from the Japanese ''Nazo Puyo'' game.<ref name="NLifeGG" /><ref name="NWRG" />

''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine'' has also appeared in retrospective compilations, such as the ''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' for the [[GameCube]] in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmega_gc|title=Sonic Mega Collection|last1=Bramwell|first1=Tom|date=19 March 2003|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Eurogamer Network|language=en-UK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413125041/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicmega_gc|archive-date=13 April 2016|url-status=live|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> ''[[Sonic Mega Collection#Sonic Mega Collection Plus|Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in 2004; which also contains the Game Gear version,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-mega-collection-plus-review/1900-6112167/|title=Sonic Mega Collection Plus Review|last1=Score|first1=Avery|date=2 November 2004|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection]]'' (known as ''Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection'' in Europe) for [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonics_ultimate_genesis_collection/b/xbox360/default.aspx|title=Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection overview|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=Gamestop Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816160123/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/sonics_ultimate_genesis_collection/b/xbox360/default.aspx|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> In 2006, Sega released the game on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]].<ref name=IGN/> In 2010, it was released on [[Microsoft Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/34286/Dr_Robotniks_Mean_Bean_Machine/|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine on Steam|publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]|access-date=24 November 2013}}</ref> In June 2013, the Game Gear version was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] via its [[Virtual Console]] emulation service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/dr_robotniks_mean_bean_machine_gamegear|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Review (3DS eShop / GG)|last=DelVillano|first=Ron|date=17 June 2013|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=30 May 2018}}</ref> In 2021, the Genesis version was released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stedman|first=Alex|date=September 30, 2021|title=Nintendo Switch Online Expanding With N64 and Sega Genesis Games in New Membership|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-n64-sega-genesis-new-membership|url-status=live|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=IGN|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924000952/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-n64-sega-genesis-new-membership |archive-date=24 September 2021 }}</ref> On June 23, 2023, the Game Gear version was released on ''[[Sonic Origins Plus]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=2023-03-23 |title=Sonic Origins Plus Adds Amy As Playable Character, Game Gear Games, And More This June |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/23/sonic-origins-plus-adds-amy-as-playable-character-game-gear-games-and-more-this-june |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323162108/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/23/sonic-origins-plus-adds-amy-as-playable-character-game-gear-games-and-more-this-june |archive-date=2023-03-23 |access-date=2023-07-09 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|MC = 7.8/10<ref name=MC>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine/ |title=Dr.Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine aggregate score|work= [[Metacritic]]|access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> | GR = 75%<ref name=GR>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563321-dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034550/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563321-dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine/index.html | archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine aggregate score|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1562&tab=review |title = Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Review| author = Sackenheim, Shawn |publisher = [[AllGame]] |access-date =19 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115044927/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1562&tab=review|archive-date=15 November 2014}}</ref>
| CVG = 90%{{sfn|Tipping|1993|p=93}}
| EuroG = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web|last1=Reed|first1=Kristan|title=Virtual Console: SEGA Mega Drive|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-sega-mega-drive-review?page=2|website=Eurogamer|publisher=Eurogamer Network|access-date=10 February 2017|page=2|language=en-UK|date=23 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214109/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/virtual-console-sega-mega-drive-review?page=2|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro = 5/5<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |author=Andromeda |title=Genesis ProReview: Doctor Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[IDG Entertainment]] |date=January 1994  |volume=6 |issue=1 |page=58 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/ec/GamePro_US_054.pdf |access-date=April 10, 2021 |issn=1042-8658|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304220009/https://retrocdn.net/images/e/ec/GamePro_US_054.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2021 }}</ref>
| GSpot = 6.3/10<ref name=Gamespot>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Aaron|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-review/1900-6163971/|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=9 January 2007|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716164939/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-review/1900-6163971/|archive-date=16 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| IGN = 7.5/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine review – The Genesis take on the classic puzzler, Puyo Puyo|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/12/12/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-review|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=11 December 2006|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622174424/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2006/12/12/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-review|archive-date=22 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| JXV = 15/20<ref name="jeux">{{cite web|title=Test Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine sur MD|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014251-dr-robotnik-s-mean-bean-machine-test.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|publisher=Webedia|access-date=10 February 2017|language=fr|date=21 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718013134/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014251-dr-robotnik-s-mean-bean-machine-test.htm|archive-date=18 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| NLife = 6/10 (Mega Drive)<ref name=NLifeMD>{{cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|title=Review: Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (MD)|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/dr_robotniks_mean_bean_machine_virtual_console|work=Nintendo Life|date=12 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906194618/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2006/12/dr_robotniks_mean_bean_machine_virtual_console|archive-date=6 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />7/10 (Game Gear)<ref name=NLifeGG>{{cite web|last=DelVillano|first=Ron|title=Review: Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (3DS eShop / Game Gear)|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/3ds-eshop/dr_robotniks_mean_bean_machine_gamegear|website=Nintendo Life|date=18 January 2013}}</ref>
| NWR = 8/10 (Game Gear)<ref name=NWRG>{{cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewmini/34705/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-nintendo-3ds-vc-gg|work=Nintendo World Report|date=18 June 2013|access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Mega (magazine)|Mega]]''
| rev1Score = 90%{{sfn|Dyer|1994|p=49}}
| rev2 = [[Gamezebo]]
| rev2Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="zebo">{{cite web|last1=Webster|first1=Andrew|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine Review|url=http://www.gamezebo.com/2010/10/08/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine-review/|publisher=[[Gamezebo]]|access-date=10 February 2017|date=8 October 2010}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''{{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=''Joypad''|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}''
| rev4Score = 87%{{sfn|''Joypad'' staff|1994|p=109}}
}}
''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine'' received generally positive reviews. It holds an average score of 7.8/10 at [[Metacritic]], based on an aggregate of 13 reviews.<ref name=MC/>

Critics praised the various aspects of gameplay, although the puzzle genre's difficulty and overuse were negative factors. Andy Dyer from ''Mega'' acknowledged that the game had a simple concept and also observed that it did not provide enough of a challenge.{{sfn|Dyer|1994|p=49}} Lucas Thomas of ''[[IGN]]'' enjoyed the game's array of puzzles and recognised that its design was intended to encourage two-player competition.<ref name=IGN/> Reviewing the Mega Drive version, Damien McFerran of ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' similarly echoed Thomas' opinion of the game's intention to encourage two-player competition, and also noted that it provided a "decent" challenge despite viewing that a single player could get bored easily.<ref name=NLifeMD/> In contrast, Andrew Webster of ''[[Gamezebo]]'' criticised the high level of difficulty and the game's general accessibility due to its "ancient" [[Password (video gaming)|password save]] system.<ref name=zebo/> Aaron Thomas of ''[[GameSpot]]'' found the game difficult to recommend due to the availability of free ''Puyo Puyo'' clones on the PC, but commended its basic [[game mechanics|mechanics]], a wide range of game modes, and gradually increasing difficulty.<ref name=Gamespot/> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'s}} Kristan Reed labelled the game as a "fairly unapologetic reskin" of ''Puyo Puyo'' and thought that Sega decided to "shoehorn" it into the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' franchise in order to enhance their sales, although Reed admitted the gameplay was solid and addictive.<ref name=EuroG/> A reviewer from ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' questioned the game's originality, saying that "stacking beans to make them disappear is not a new concept" but would still satisfy fans of the genre.<ref name=jeux/> Amanda Tipping from ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' thought that the game was as addictive and as puzzling as the ''Tetris'' series, and also preferred the game's colourful visuals as opposed to ''Tetris''.{{sfn|Tipping|1993|p=93}} ''[[GamePro]]'' reviewer Andromeda found the game most enjoyable when using an offensive strategy.<ref name="GPro" />

The Game Gear version was well received. In a retrospective review, Ron DelVillano from ''Nintendo Life'' praised the game's wide variety of game modes but noted the soundtrack's lack of diversity. DelVillano also thought that the graphics had not aged well as of 2013, but accepted that games in the puzzle genre did not require prominent visuals.<ref name=NLifeGG/> In a similar vein, a reviewer from ''{{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=''Joypad''|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}'' opined that the game's graphics were not "a joy" to look at, but understood that it was "normal" for a game of that genre.{{sfn|''Joypad'' staff|1994|p=109}} Neal Ronaghan of ''Nintendo World Report'' lauded the game's addictive and "fun" puzzle gameplay but admitted it contained flaws due to the limitations of the Game Gear.<ref name=NWRG/> In 1995, ''[[Mega Zone]]'' included the game in their "Top 50 Games in History".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 50 Games In History |url=https://archive.org/details/sup50top50games/page/n3/mode/2up |journal=MegaZone |issue=50 |page=5}}</ref>

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
*{{cite book|year=1993|last=Compile|url=https://manuals.sega.com/genesismini/pdf/DR_ROBOTNIK.pdf|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine ''instruction manual (US Genesis)''|pages=1–19|publisher=[[Sega]]}}
*{{cite journal|last1=Dyer|first1=Andy|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine review|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a3/Mega_UK_16.pdf|journal=Mega|date=January 1994|issue=16|pages=48–49|publisher=Maverick Magazines}}
*{{cite journal|last1=''Joypad'' staff|title=Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine review (Game Gear)|url=https://archive.org/details/joypad-magazine-028/page/n107/mode/2up|journal={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|date=28 February 1994|issue=28|page=109|publisher=Yellow Media|language=fr}}
*{{cite magazine|last1=''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' staff|title=Preview: The Mean Beans of Robotnik's Machine|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_52/page/n255/mode/2up|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=November 1993|issue=52|page=256}}
*{{cite journal|last1=Tipping|first1=Amanda|title=Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine review|journal=Computer and Video Games|date=November 1993|issue=146|page=93|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/63/CVG_UK_146.pdf|access-date=10 February 2017|publisher=Future plc}}
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/dr-robotniks-mean-bean-machine|name=''Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine''}}

{{Sonic games (spin off)}}
{{Puyo Puyo series}}

[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Compile (company) games]]
[[Category:Falling block puzzle games]]
[[Category:Game Gear games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Master System games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Puyo Puyo]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Video games based on television series based on video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]