I know what you're thinking. Oh no. Another Tetris imitation! But it has a depth rarely seen in games of this n
I know what you're thinking. Oh no. Another Tetris imitation!
But it has a depth rarely seen in games of this nature.
First, it has a built-in competition concept where you play against a computer opponent who is also operating the bean machine (which is like the addicting Tetris) right next to you. The only real difference from Tetris is instead of completing a row to make it disappear, you must connect 4 of the same color.
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- Sonic Retro Wiki - http://info.sonicretro.org/Dr._Robotnik%27s_Mean_Bean_Machine_%288-bit%29
- Puyo Puyo Screenshot (Original Game this was based on) - http://www.thebitbag.com/blog/2008/03/08/sega-releases-genesis-games-for-the-wii-shop-channel
- Puyo Pop for the DS - http://www.gamespot.com/gba/puzzle/puyopop/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2
>Difficulty: Hard
Although there is a practice mode where there is no pressure of the competition, the story mode of the game (where the unique fun of the title lies) puts a different and challenging spin on the genre -- really making you create impressive combinations to defeat your opponent. There is also a training mode which helps you learn the combinations. This is very helpful! I am good at Tetris and that bores me. If you are looking for a new Tetris challenge, look here!
>Overall 7/10
When you get over the cheesy graphics and sound, there is a really masterful design of a Tetris-Like game here. For puzzle gamers, Mean Bean Machine / Puyo Puyo is a must-play.
>Gameplay: 10/10
Immensely responsive Tetris controls we all love. Also, like in Sega Columns, when the bean touches the base, you have one last instant to move it even though it's touching. This has saved me many times!
>Sound: 3/10
Sadly the music is pretty cheesy
>Graphics: 7/10
The game gear had notoriously poor graphics in it's titles and the beans are a little too ill-detailed for their own good (unlike in the Genesis / Mega Drive version). However, they are cute and animated and the little colorful things grow on you after a while. The graphic of your opponent cringing as you start to defeat him is really amusing.
I got this game on Sonic Adventure DX for the PC. It is also available in DX for the GameCube, Sonic Mega Collection Plus for PS2/Xbox, Sonic PC collection (2009) for the PC, and Virtual Console for the Wii (The superior Genesis version on the Wii). Also, many of these collections have the Genesis version as well.
This game is based on Puyo Puyo and is very similar. There have been many Puyo Puyo remakes including the well regarded 15th Anniversary, Puyo Puyo 7, and Puyo Pop for the Nintendo DS. This shows the importance of this title.
Only if you can get lots of different beans (I do this with multiple colors) to disappear all at once, you will heap more and more black beans on your opponents' board (which can be harder to get rid of than color beans because they can only disappear combined with 4 of another color). The better you can create this combination, (the more beans disappearing all at once): the more beans your opponent gets heaped on him.
This is really fun and satisfying to accomplish -- especially since you are using color beans (instead of Tetris blocks where color has no significance). And the cute Sonic-character will show their frustration on their face when you really get them. This concept of getting many items to disappear at once for a goal is not new -- it is actually built into Tetris. In fact, if you get (I think 4) rows to disappear at once, that is actually called "Tetris" and it is key to getting a high score. Mean Bean actually expands on this fun concept in making it a key part of the competition.
The story is also notable. It is a rare experience to have an endearing storyline in a Tetris-like game -- You are saving these cute little blinking beans from Robotnik's prison -- and defeating his guards.