Mono Beetle

The Mono Beetle^[1] (モノビートル, Monobītoru^?) is an enemy in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced robot model deployed by 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, presumably to support the security functions of G.U.N's bases, they are rather harmless and can occasionally be used as "steps" for Sonic and Shadow to cross by using 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 GUN's symbol and the number "01".

In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Mono Beetles more closely resemble Bomb Wings. In this game, they are green instead, their dish attachments are made thicker (resembling jet engines) and they have a pair of small wings on the sides.

Game appearances

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. Mono Beetles can be found in the following stages:

Character	Stage
Sonic	City Escape Green Forest Crazy Gadget Metal Harbor
Tails	Prison Lane Eternal Engine
Knuckles	Aquatic Mine
Shadow	Radical Highway White Jungle Sky Rail
Dr. Eggman	Iron Gate Sand Ocean Lost Colony Cosmic Wall
Rouge	Dry Lagoon Security Hall

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.

Shadow the Hedgehog

The Mono Beetles made their first return in Shadow the Hedgehog. In this game, they are a very common enemy that appears in stages where G.U.N. troops can be found, such as Westopolis.

Sonic Generations

The Mono Beetles reappeared once more in both the console/PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, with their behavior and appearance being just as they were in Sonic Adventure 2. They appeared in both Acts of Radical Highway on the 3DS version and in both Acts of City Escape on the console/PC version.

Merchandise

This robot was included as a bonus figure with a Shadow figure from Jazwares for the "Sonic through Time" line. On the box however, it reads "2000", which it should be 2001 as it 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

References