Wait, what the hells a puyo puyo? Tune in to find out!
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Year: 1993
Played on: Ultimate Sega Genesis Collection on Xbox 360
Also on: Game Gear, Master System, PS3, Steam, Various Sonic Compilations
Developer: Compile
Publisher: Sega
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Formally known as George Foreman’s Mean Grillin Machine
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Date posted: November 8, 2017
PREMISE
For my first Sonic review, I decided to cheat and review a game that doesn’t even feature the Bill Burr. (That’s his nickname, right?) Funny thing is, well, its not really a Dr.Robotnik game either! That’s right! Once again, your childhood was a LIE! Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Fighting Machine is actually a well respected and well known puzzle game known as Puyo Puyo!
(Play unnecessary dramatic sound effect for a fact pretty much everyone knows now)
So now that the dark, forbidden past of DRMBM, which I’m calling it for the rest of my review because I am lazy, we can finally talk about what you do.
THE THINGS FALL FROM THE SKY AND YOU MATCH THEM.
THE END.
No, no. I can’t be that lazy! How am I going to get more followers if I don’t at least try to be a complete and utter douchebag!?
In DRMBM, or Puyo Puyo, you match multi colored little beans that come down the screen two at a time. Match four of the same color, and they disappear. However, what you really want to do is make combos. This is the main draw of the entire series for most, as the combo system actually takes some skill to use. You see, every time you make a combo, you send some garbage clear blocks to your opponent. A good enough player could send an potential avalanche of these blocks and win a round in less then a minute. I would compare it to that of a fighting game, as it actually takes some practice to get good at.
Also, I have to mention this games theme. Its actually based on “The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog”. However, Sonic or tails is no where to be found. Instead, it focuses on the various villains that sonic faced in the cartoon. A weird choice- I think I prefer the original anime graphics, because I am a huge pervert who should be locked up.
PROS
Like I said above, its a puzzle game that actually takes some skill! I’m not saying other puzzle games like Tetris or Panel De Pon (Tetris Attack) take a lot of skill, I’m just saying that Puyo Puyo may have a higher skill ceiling. It works. However, DRMBM is based off of the very first Puyo Puyo, so its that as smooth as say, Puyo Puyo Tsuu, which introduced a counter mechanic.
The game actually takes some practice to get really good. Skip to 1:30 for some really crazy s#@t.
The game is easy to pick up and play, for the most part. Completing a simple 2 combo could carry you a few levels. I remember beating the game without really being that good at Puyo Puyo. In fact, I only got “good” recently with the release of Puyo Puyo Tetris. In other words, DRMBM is actually a good starting point for anyone wanting to get into Puyo Puyo.
The music is also pretty good. Weirdly enough, a lot of the music of the original Japanese release is in the game- but in completely different areas. For example, the last boss music is now the two-player versus theme in DRMBM. Weird.
CONS
Like I said above, its not as smooth as future Puyo Puyo titles. Regrettably, North America would not get another Puyo Puyo title until 1999, as Puyo Pop for the some what obscure Neo Geo Pocket. There have always have been delays in bringing Puyo Puyo to America- there was a 13 year drought of new Puyo Puyo games until the release of Puyo Puyo Tetris!
Also, some may not like the art style and prefer the original anime artstyle of the Japanese version, which had a bunch of crazy characters and cute girls and MOTHERF@#KING SATAN. However, since it has no bearing against the gameplay, I am not going to count it against the game overall.
FINAL VERDICT
DRMBM is a good starting place for those wanting to learn how to play Puyo Puyo. It may not play as smooth as other games in the series, but it is widely available on pretty much anything anymore, including the excellent Ultimate Sega Genesis Collection, which had this game along with 39 other classic Sega Genesis games (take your Super Nintendo Classic and shove it, Nintendo!). Get this if you want to play a puzzle game classic!
Agree? Disagree? Good! Leave a comment about how terrible my taste is in the comments below!
Gamer's Edge 