Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is basically the US/EU version of Puyo Puyo. You go through 13 stages each harder than the last matching 4 beans to create clear beans that can only be cleared by matching real beans next to them.
Gameplay
By using the A or C button on your trusty 3 button mega drive pad you can rotate the 2 falling beans to the right and the "Trigger" button (B) you can tilt it left. Matching 4 erases them and a combo adds more clear beans to the mix. As much as i love the stage's challenge i cant see myself recommending this game to a casual player because of the difficulty spike. Unlike puyo puyo or even kirby's ghost trap you have a password system so you can go back to a stage giving you difficulty. Unfortunately, for me at least the clear beans mostly drop in a area i'm planning on using thus changing my strategy.
Graphics
This game looks pretty good. The beans are brightly coloured with a decent amount of detail and character profiles look well made and again colourful. The animation is good on most of the profiles and the really weird big bean in exercise mode makes the level shake. The 2 cutscenes are pretty good too so that a nice touch.
Sound
The games soundtrack is amazing . Whether its the upbeat exercise mode music or the stage themes from level 9-12 the music is an outstanding feature of this game. The Game has 3 voice clips which aren't that impressive by today's standards but a nice touch. Sound effects wise other than the menus the sound's are almost completely drowned out by the music
Is it worth it?
I would recommend mean bean machine for any mega drive enthusiast like myself considering how much it's worth loose and boxed. Just make sure you don't have a short temper because it'll ruin the experience