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

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is a puzzle video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Compile and published by Sega for the Sega Game Gear and Master System. The game was released in North America in November 1993 for the Game Gear, while the Master System port has only being released in Europe, Australia and Brazil in 1994. Like the Sega Genesis version, the 8-bit version of the game is based on the Game Gear port of Sega's C-2 arcade version of the Japanese puzzle game Puyo Puyo, originally released on 19 March 1993 in Japan.

The story and gameplay are closely similar to its Sega Genesis version with the exclusive mode featured in the game called Puzzle Mode. Much like the 16-bit counterpart, the 8-bit version of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine has received numerous ports and re-releases, including on Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2013.

Gameplay
The core gameplay of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine consists similar controls and mechanics compared to Sega Genesis version. The Scenario, 1P VS. 2P (alternately called as "Gear to Gear Mode" in manuals ) and Excercise Modes are included without any major changes. Due both Master System's and Game Gear's technical limitations however, the 8-bit version of the game differs slightly in terms aestetics, sound and other minor details.

Differences between 16-bit and 8-bit versions

 * The demo mode does not include brief showcase of the game's rules and controls.
 * Cutscenes for each oppoment are removed in the Scenario Mode.
 * While being only minor detail, violet Beans are colored pink instead.
 * In the Scenario Mode, Stages 1-8 feature traditional rocky tiles around boards and HUD like in Genesis version, while Stages 8-13 feature more machinery-themed background with Stage number being split and moved below the Bean board.
 * The multiple difficulty settings are not included.
 * The ending sequence is simplified without including the game's cast roll like in Sega Genesis version.

Game Gear and Master System differences

 * Slight visual changes are made with wider menu backgrounds and extended cutscene images.
 * Machinery-themed backgrounds featured in Stages 8-13 are removed and replaced with standard rocky tiles.
 * Credits screen in Game Gear is has blue background, while the Master System version has black screen.

Puzzle Mode
Puzzle Mode ("Nazo Nazo Puyo Puyo" in  Puyo Puyo ) is an exclusive mode in the 8-bit version of the game. This mode consists thirty challenges, in which the player's goal is to utilize the core gameplay mechanics to solve a required puzzle challenges. The player can press START to pause the game, while giving an option to quit the Puzzle Mode. Completing each challenge gives an password to continue from that point when the player restarts the game. Completing all thirty challenges makes the end credits roll.

Reception
Much like 16-bit counterpart, the 8-bit version of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine received positive reviews. Sega Magazine praised the Game Gear version for its presentation, playability and challenge, as concluding the game being "brilliantly executed and great fun to play." GamePro described the game as absorbing and complex, while noting the game having easy controls to use and learn.

During the game's release for Nintendo 3DS re-release, Neal Ronaghan of Nintendo World Report gave the Game Gear version 8 out of 10, while praising addicting, fun puzzle gameplay, but stating that the game can be hard to play in original resolution. Ron DelVillano of Nintendo Life stated about the game's multiplayer mode that "sharing the frustration among pals can be fun, and there's little more satisfying than performing a crushing combo that subsequently dumps a bunch of beans into your friend's column, then laughing right in their face as you parade in victory." He critizes the game's graphics bieng out being bit dated, but also praises the gameplay remaining fresh nearly 20 years after its initial release.

Re-releases
The Game Gear version of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine has been included as unlockable game in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (2003) for Gamecube and PC after collecting 130 Emblems and clearing ten missions. The Game Gear version is also included in Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004) for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, as well in the Plug-and-Play game console called Freetron’s FunPlay 20-in-1, released in 2009 by Atgames. In 2013, the Game Gear version was re-released on the Virtual Console for the Nintendo 3DS for the price of 300 points.

Staff

 * Producers: Max Taylor, Moo Niitani
 * Directors: Katsuhiro Hasegawa ("Hase"), M.Tsukamoto
 * Planner: Kazu&Kozu
 * Programmers: E.D.A., Wahaha, Nattoh
 * Designers: 7LY Big King, Noburin, AAA↲, Takako Kawaguchi ("Choko"), U·D·K, Max Taylor, Brian Ransom, Dave Albert, Tokifuru Morita
 * Sound programmers: Masayuki Nagao ("Nagao'N'Gee"), Masanori Hikichi ("Hiki"), Haruyo Oguro ("Lotty"), David Javelosa
 * Speical thanks: Tsuka-P, 16Bit Staff

©1993 Sega™ ©1993 Compile

Trivia

 * As the Puzzle Mode ("Nazo Nazo Puyo Puyo") is featured in Game Gear port of  Puyo Puyo , Compile would later release series of spin-off games titled  Nazo Puyo  for the Game Gear since 1993, which consist solely single-player mode full of "Nazo Nazo Puyo Puyo" challenges.