The Mono Beetle[1] (モノビートル Monobītoru?) is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced robot model deployed by the Guardian Units of Nations and a part of the Beetle Series. It is the most basic model in the Beetle series, and its design serves as the template for all other robots in its series.
As the Mono Beetles serve as little more than surveillance drones, they are rather harmless and can occasionally be used as "stepping steps" using the Homing Attack.
Appearance
The original Mono Beetles basically resemble grey balls with blue outlines and armor on the front. On top of them, they have a sharp blue cap with a red-striped edge. Below this cap, reaching from just behind the edge of their front armor to far behind their back, they have a horizontal yellow turbine disk with a red and blue-striped frame. On their "face", they also have a single yellow, red and white lens. In Sonic Generations, the Mono Beetles' design was slightly tweaked, where their lenses were colored more red and white and their cap was emblazoned with G.U.N.'s symbol and the number "01".
In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Mono Beetles more closely resemble Bomb Wings. In this game, they changed to be green, their dish attachments are made thicker, now resembling jet engines, and they have a pair of small wings on the sides.
Game appearances
Sonic Adventure 2
A row of Mono Beetles in Metal Harbor, from the 2012 remaster of Sonic Adventure 2.
The Mono Beetle first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. In this game, the Mono Beetles are among the most common enemies encountered. The Mono Beetle has no method of attack, unlike most other robots in the Beetle series, and will only hover around in the air. Sometimes, it might be invisible and suddenly appear when a character comes near their position. When a Mono Beetle spies the player, its "eye" will light up and it will bob up and down excitedly. Each Mono Beetle awards 100 points when destroyed.
Mono Beetles can be found in the following stages:
Shadow the Hedgehog
A Mono Beetle, from Shadow the Hedgehog.
In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Mono Beetles made their first return as enemies. In this game, they are a very common enemy that appears in stages where GUN troops can be found, such as Westopolis.
Sonic Generations
A Mono Beetle in Radical Highway, from the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations.
In both the console/PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, Mono Beetles from somewhere across spacetime appear as enemies. They appear in both Acts of Radical Highway on the Nintendo 3DS version, and in both Acts of City Escape on the console/PC version. In gameplay, they exhibit the same behavior they displayed in Sonic Adventure 2.
Merchandise
The Mono Beetle was included as a bonus with a Shadow the Hedgehog figure from Jazwares for the "Sonic through Time" line. On the box it reads "2000", which it should actually be 2001 as that is the year Sonic Adventure 2 was first released. As of 2012, the displayed year still has not been changed despite the fact that Jazwares added a new sticker in place of the 20th anniversary logo.
Trivia
- According to Kazuyuki Hoshino, the Beetle got its inspiration from San Francisco Parking Attendant vehicles. They were put in the game as a way of getting revenge for all the parking tickets he and Takashi Iizuka got during the development of Sonic Adventure 2.
Gallery
Concept artwork
References
- ↑ Prima Development (20 June 2001). "Enemies". Sonic Adventure 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. p. 16. ISBN 978-0761536147.
