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This character exists primarily or exclusively within the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog continuity.
Information in this article may not be canonical to the storyline of the games or any other Sonic continuity.
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His speed is useless! Ha ha! I've been waiting for years to hear that!


— Grounder, "Birth of a Salesman"

Grounder Robot[1] is one of the secondary antagonists of the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog television series. He is a Badnik robot[1] and a partial clone of Scratch, created by Dr. Ivo Robotnik as an adversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Along with Scratch, he is a member of Robotnik's Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad and one of his main henchmen.

Grounder and Scratch serve largely as the comic relief in the series. Though he and Scratch are in charge of capturing Sonic and his friend Tails, they are incompetent and almost always fail. These repeated failures frequently result in Grounder and Scratch receiving a lot of abuse (both verbal and physical) from Dr. Robotnik.

Appearance[]

Grounder is a small, short, stocky, teal robot with tank tracks for feet, an antennae on the back of the top of his head, compass bellybutton as well as drills instead of his hands and nose, vaguely resembling a mole. He also carries a plate on his back that reads "X-14".

History[]

TV series[]

Past[]

SSSSandSS02

Grounder with Scratch right after he was created, from "Super Special Sonic Search & Smash Squad".

In the recent past, Grounder was conceived by Dr. Ivo Robotnik to be a super-robot that could catch Sonic the Hedgehog easily. He was created from one of Scratch's tail feathers that Robotnik's plucked and put into his Robo-Matic Machine, intending to make him a clone of Scratch. However, Scratch pulled an extra lever on the Robo-Matic Machine during the process that caused, as Robotnik put it, some "slight modifications" to Grounder as he was created. Despite both being on the same team, Grounder and Scratch did not get along well and fought each other over which of the two was Robotnik's favorite.[4]

On their first mission, Grounder and Scratch were told to catch Sonic, with each robot having their own plans on how to do it. While neither of their plans resulted in Sonic's capture, they managed to catch Tails, which made Sonic give himself up in exchange for his friend's safety. After this, Grounder and Scratch called Dr. Robotnik, who told them that he would come to their location soon. However, immediately afterward however, Coconuts, who also wanted to catch Sonic, decided to take over Grounder and Scratch's scheme in order to get a promotion. However, they were all tricked by Sonic and got trapped by him. Sonic would then free himself and Tails. Afterward, Sonic tricked Robotnik into smashing his own Egg-O-Matic into Scratch and his cohorts, smashing them into pieces.[4]

Season one[]

Once, Grounder and Scratch were sent by Dr. Robotnik to catch Sonic and Tails. Though they managed to do this, the heroes told the robots that they should not do that and that the meant too much for them. Afterward, Sonic started to tell Grounder and Scratch the story of how they first met. Though Scratch did not like the story because it ended with him getting destroyed, Grounder cried in joy. After this, Sonic easily freed himself and Tails using a Triple Spin, and the two escaped while Grounder and Scratch watched.[4]

Sonic Christmas Blast[]

Games[]

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine[]

In the 16-bit version and 8-bit version of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Grounder was one of the many henchbots that was sent to stop Has Bean from destroying the Mean Bean-Steaming Machine. However, Grounder was defeated anyway.

Personality[]

Easily the most dim-witted of Robotnik's henchmen, Grounder is amazingly stupid and incompetent, possessing an IQ of 25,[citation needed] and fails at almost everything he does. He is highly gullible, easily being deceived by the simplest or bizarre of Sonic's disguises and falls for practically any trick. Regardless of all his failures, however, Grounder is quite persistent and keeps trying no matter what. Although he is typically able to re-assemble himself, Grounder is prone to losing pieces of himself, especially his own head, and is seen having problems while trying to repair himself.

Grounder tends to fear Dr. Robotnik's wrath, which is why he tries to serve him at his best. Whenever things start to get out of control, he will not hesitate to lie.[5] He is also shown to be kind of sensitive, which was shown when he cried after Robotnik threatened to turn him into a paperweight.[3]

Despite his incredible stupidity, Grounder is a malevolent robot who carries out his leader's orders without question. He is likewise very competitive, always trying to prove himself to be the better robot, especially in comparison to Scratch.

Powers and abilities[]

Grounder is the basically the brawn/artillery of Robotnik's henchmen - his robot body is filled with accessories, most of which are stored in his arms, which can be reconfigured into any number of weapons or tools, such as ropes, ray guns, helicopter blades, rocket engines, gas guns, Glue Guns, parachutes and boxing gloves. He also stores assorted equipment, like his Robocom Phone, in his torso, and even has the components of a Swiss Army knife installed into his tongue.[4]

Besides his gadgetry, Grounder is also noticeably stronger than Scratch, often doing the heavy lifting involved in setting up traps or assembling machinery. His treads also allow for considerable speed, usually carrying Scratch on his shoulders in attempts to catching Sonic. His treads can also turn into Rocket engines to increase his speed. Despite his low intellect, Grounder is also shown to be a competent cook.

Grounder is also fairly durable. Whenever he gets damaged, he is often dented up and sometimes, even broken to pieces, but never completely destroyed. Grounder has withstood great falls, being crushed, and even explosions. Sometimes, he is even capable of putting himself back together.

Relationships[]

Scratch[]

AoStH EP 29 Scratch and Grounder

Grounder with Scratch, from "Robotnik, Jr.".

Scratch is Grounder's "clone". However, they always bicker and fight over who is the better robot, who is more of an idiot and many other things (especially when they were created). More often than not, their arguments have led to humiliating defeats.

Despite how they compete with each other and imply that they want to be separated from one another, there are rare moments where Grounder and Scratch get along. The two also put their differences aside when a superior robot appears, as they fear that they might get demoted. It is even shown that Grounder cares about Scratch.[6]

Dr. Ivo Robotnik[]

Grounder is usually loyal to his creator Dr. Ivo Robotnik and does whatever he says, but when he fails, Robotnik gets really angry with him and abuses him. Still, Robotnik is attached enough to Grounder to continually repair both him and Scratch when they are totaled.[7]

Sometimes, Grounder betrays Robotnik when he thinks he has had enough, though he always returns to the doctor's services.[8] In "Grounder the Genius", his feelings get hurt when Robotnik tells him that he would scrap him or use him as a paperweight. When Grounder became smart, he betrayed Robotnik and took over his base.[3]

Friends/allies[]

Neutral[]

Enemies[]

Battle[]

I'm Grounder...but you can call me SAM - 'cos I'm like a Surface to Air Missile...and I'm gonna have you for launch.


— Grounder, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (16-bit)

Grounder is the eighth boss in the 16-bit version and 8-bit version of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.

Boss guide[]

Like with the other bosses, the battle against Grounder takes place in two "dungeons" on each side, the left one being from the player and the right one from Grounder.[9] To defeat Grounder, the player has to fill his dungeon to the point where he is unable to drop any more Beans. This can be done by dropping Refugee Beans into his dungeon, though Grounder himself can fill his own dungeon by accident.

During the battle, Grounder is aggressive and is based upon the strategy used by Davy Sprocket instead of relying on removing beans as with Skweel and creating massive combos ala Dynamight. Grounder will show more care into removing Refugee Beans while still attempting to create combos. Additionally, the speed of beans dropping is rather fast.

The player loses when their dungeon is full of Beans. After that, they are sent to a Continue screen and given the option to play again. If they win, however, the game will lead to the next boss, Spike.

Trivia[]

  • In this battle, Grounder has the same AI as Witch from Puyo Puyo, the game on which Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is based. However, Grounder's beans do not release stars when they're removed, unlike Witch.
    • Ironically, since Witch is the eighth opponent, Grounder's artificial intelligence is rather smart, whereas he is an idiot in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Music[]

Passwords[]

Game Passwords
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (16-bit) YellowBean16-bitGreenBean16-bitPurpleBean16-bitHasBean16-bit
(Easy)
GreenBean16-bitHasBean16-bitBeanRefugeeYellowBean16-bit
(Normal)
BeanRefugeeYellowBean16-bitHasBean16-bitYellowBean16-bit
(Hard)
BeanRefugeePurpleBean16-bitHasBean16-bitYellowBean16-bit
(Hardest)
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (8-bit) Has-Bean-8-bitPink-Bean-8-bitYellow-Bean-8-bitBlue-Bean-8-bit

In other media[]

Archie Comics[]

Scratch and Grounder Archie

Grounder and Scratch receiving their first mission, from Sonic the Hedgehog #2.

In the earliest issues of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by Archie Comics, Grounder originally served Dr. Ivo Robotnik as a member of the "Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad." While he was arguably dumber than his teammate Scratch, his variety of gadgets and weapons made him better armed. Despite numerous attempts, the group suffered many embarrassing defeats due to their limited A.I. and armaments. After the Classic Badniks were decommissioned, Grounder found new work in Casino Night under Mammoth Mogul, becoming the cook for the Bottom of the Barrel Bar 'n' Grill.

Grounder AStH

Grounder, from Sonic the Hedgehog #268.

After the Super Genesis Wave, Grounder's history was altered, but still retained similarities to his old life. Under the rule of Dr. Eggman, he was a part of the Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad, who was once involved in a scheme with Breezie the Hedgehog. Grounder, along with his S6 teammates, was later employed by Breezie to work for her casino empire in Casino Park.

Sonic in Sydney[]

In the puppet show version of Sonic in Sydney at SegaWorld Sydney, Grounder made an appearance as Robotnik's "ultimate weapon", but is then defeated.

Quotes[]

"Yeah? I got more accessories, he's likes me better"
—Grounder, "Super Special Search & Smash Squad"
"Hooray! we got promoted from useless!"
—Grounder, "Big Daddy"
"You did that on purpose!"
—Grounder, "Super Special Search & Smash Squad"
"Single 700 pound villain looking for suitable companion."
—Grounder, "Sonic's Song"
"Yeah! And I can be a real life huh...huh...whatever I am!"
—Grounder, "Prehistoric Sonic"

Trivia[]

  • Grounder is based on a Badnik of the same name from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The largest difference between these versions is the Badnik found in the game is colored maroon instead of teal, and features slit-like eyes.
  • Scratch and Grounder were going to make a return in Sonic Underground, possibly either replacing (or perhaps accompanying) Sleet and Dingo in capturing the Sonic Underground and their mother. However, for unknown reasons, they were removed from the final show.
  • Its being rumoured that Grounder alongside Scratch, are Dr. Robotnik's badniks in the Sonic in Sydney live show, as he call's them his "two incompetent cronies" and abuses them, much like in the cartoon. He did however make an appearence in the puppet show version.
  • Grounder is capable of replacing his drills with human-shaped hands should he need the use of hands. The appearance of Grounder's hands change from episode to episode, appearing as normal human hands, lined-metal hands, or spindly bandaged hands.
    • Grounder's most often used pair of hands resemble the hands of Burrobot.
  • Grounder and Scratch started a trend of Dr. Robotnik/Eggman having two incompetent sidekicks. In Sonic Underground, Dr. Robotnik had Sleet and Dingo. In Sonic X, Dr. Eggman had Decoe and Bocoe. In the games, as of Sonic Colors, Dr. Eggman had Orbot and Cubot.
  • As a running gag in multiple episodes of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Grounder often says he wants his mother. Scratch then reminds him that he doesn't have a mother, to which Grounder replies that he wants one.
  • In the episode "Grounder the Genius", Grounder is shown to have an on/off switch on the back of his head, which is never visible in any other episode.[3]
  • In the Hispanic American dub of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Grounder is called "Chatarra" (Spanish for "Scrap").

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Shelly, Bruce; Shelly, Reed (3 December 1993). "Hero of the Year". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 60.
  2. Booth, Doug (24 September 1993). "The Robotnik Express". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 14.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Molitor, Doug (17 September 1993). "Grounder the Genius". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 23.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Shelly, Bruce; Shelly, Reed (6 October 1993). "Super Special Sonic Search & Smash Squad". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 1.
  5. Bressack, Gordon (29 September 1993). "Robotnik's Rival". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 36.
  6. O'Flaherty, Dennis (21 September 1993). "Blank-Headed Eagle". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 18. First-run syndication.
  7. Fisher, Steven J.; Shelley, Reed; Shelley, Bruce (8 September 1993). "Birth of a Salesman". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 12. First-run syndication.
  8. Forward, Bob (1 October 1993). "Trail of the Missing Tails". Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Season 1. Episode 7. First-run syndication.
  9. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 6.
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