Although platform games have always been about getting to the end of the level in one piece, over the years we've seen additional objectives brought into play.
Mario introduced the idea of collecting coins, while Sonic the Hedgehog gave you the added challenge of reaching the conclusion of a level in as quick a time as possible.
Bean's Quest is a smartphone platformer in the same vein as these aforementioned classics, and it too offers up a unique task for the player: complete each stage in as few jumps as possible.
Has bean
You see, the hero of the title is a jumping bean wearing a rather fetching sombrero, and he leaps automatically without any input from you. All you need to do is control the direction of Bean's frenzied jumping, and the challenge is to guide your spherical avatar through the level as swiftly as possible.
Each stage is strewn with obstacles and hazards. Pits of spikes cause Bean to explode instantly, while patrolling monsters have a similarly fatal effect.
Thankfully, Bean can eradicate these enemies by jumping on their heads, Mario-style, but this requires careful timing and in some cases confrontation is best avoided - especially if you want to finish the level efficiently.
Magic bean
Given that you only have two inputs - left and right - the process of optimising Bean's Quest for the Xperia Play won't have caused the developer too many problems. Still, the inclusion of physical controls does make the game better - especially on later levels when increased accuracy is a must.
Once you've bested all of the levels there's little to keep you coming back - aside from the challenge of getting below-par jump scores throughout the entire game - but while it lasts Bean's Quest is jolly good fun, and effortlessly calls to mind the 16-bit platforming classics of yesteryear.