CRG Reviews: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

This particular puzzle game will always have a place in my gaming he​art, no matter what anybody says
 * Name: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
 * Publisher: Sega
 * Developer: Compile
 * Platform: Sega Genesis
 * Released: November 26, 1993
 * Genre: Puzzle
 * Players: 1-2
 * ESRB: Possibly E

Review
As mentioned before in my profile and CRG Reviews: Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing, the Sonic series is one I respect and cherish in my heart. One particular unorthodox Sonic game I've played as a kid (and sometimes in this age today) is a little game known as Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.

What is Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine? An addictive and whimsical puzzle game with some memorable (and not so memorable) and clever robotic characters. My favorite of course is Coconuts (who you may remember from the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog DIC cartoon). A few characters were easy to beat if you know their pattern (I personally use Coconut's starting pattern), but the majority of the robots will kick your ass, even on the hardest difficulty (I'm lookin' at you Sqweel).

The graphics are not that bad when compared to other Genesis titles, but when the game glitches on you, they turn terrible. It was like the game was put in a blender and the blender worked overtime.

The game has a LOAD of passwords, and most passwords send you to different difficulties (I've done this many times). I used to know every single password in the game (long since forgotten).

However, the part I loved most is the sound department, particularly the music. It is extremely memorable and I am desperately in love with it. However, some sounds are particularly annoying, especially Dr. Robotnik's evil laugh.

Speaking of ol' Eggman, he's the final character you face. And let me just say this: HE IS SO FUCKING HARD TO BEAT, ESPECIALLY IN HARDEST LEVEL!!!! However, the price for beating him is extremely high in the form of the best song in the entire game, the credits song.

Key Components

 * Graphics- 8.9
 * Gameplay- 9.2
 * Controls- 7.8
 * Sound- 10.0
 * Entertainment- 9.3
 * Replay Value- 8.2

Final score and final words
And the results are...............

8.9 (Solid)

Call me a nerd if you want, but I believe Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is such an obscure and criminally underappreciated game. For puzzle gamers searching for a challenge, look no further.

Joshua Garriga (a.k.a. ComicReadingGamer)