Christian Whitehead Reveals Prototype Screenshots Hinting at Scrapped Sonic Mania Sequel

August 15 marked the eighth anniversary of Sonic Mania, and one of the biggest questions fans continue to ask is what happened to a sequel. While the team behind the game reportedly had plans for a follow-up, the project was ultimately scrapped due to creative differences and SEGA’s decision to move away from pixel art.

Instead of a direct sequel, fans received Sonic Superstars, which shifted to a new visual style and gameplay direction. Ever since, many have wondered what Sonic Mania 2 might have looked like if Evening Star and Christian Whitehead had been given the green light. Now, thanks to Whitehead himself, we finally have a glimpse.

On Mania’s anniversary, Whitehead took to Bluesky to share trivia about Kanga Clanga, a Badnik that was introduced in Sonic Superstars. The real surprise, however, came when he posted two prototype screenshots showing the enemy rendered in a 2.5D style.

In the alt text accompanying one of the screenshots, Whitehead revealed that these images came from “a 2.5D prototype that Evening Star worked on after Sonic Mania.” While he did not outright confirm that the project was intended as Sonic Mania 2, the connection is hard to ignore.

Unlike Sonic Mania’s fully 2D presentation, the prototype leaned toward a hybrid 2.5D look that closely resembles the style Evening Star later refined for their original game, Penny’s Big Breakaway. This suggests that lessons and assets from the Sonic prototype may have directly influenced the studio’s debut title.

Shortly after the reveal, composer Tee Lopes released a new track, “The Outback,” in celebration of Sonic Mania’s anniversary. While it remains unclear if the track was part of the canceled project or simply created for the occasion, its timing alongside Whitehead’s screenshots reignited discussion about the game and its enduring legacy.

Although the prototype never evolved into a full sequel, these glimpses offer a tantalizing look at what could have been. For fans still hoping for another Mania-style entry, the anniversary only adds to the call for SEGA to revisit one of Sonic’s most celebrated chapters.

Stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic Mania News and Updates!