Sonic Mania

Playable Characters

• Knuckles the Echidna
  • Super Knuckles
• Miles “Tails” Prower
  • Super Tails
• Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Super Sonic

Non-Playable Characters

Enemies

Sonic Mania is comprised of thirteen Zones, with eight being revamped classics and five being original creations. Each Zone is divided into two sections known as “Acts.” At the conclusion of every Act, players engage in a boss encounter.^[17]Sonic Mania Is “Longer Than Generations, Will Have Boss After Every Act”. Gamnesia (July 23, 2016). Retrieved on July 23, 2016.^[18]Some rushed first impressions after a fast Sonic Mania demo. Destructoid (July 9, 2017). Retrieved on August 3, 2017. Act 1 concludes with a “mini-boss,” while Act 2 culminates in a showdown with the primary bosses. To access the ultimate Zone, players need to collect the seven Chaos Emeralds and successfully complete the Titanic Monarch Zone while playing as Sonic. The sequence of Zones is as follows:

Special Stages offer players the chance to gather the Chaos Emeralds, encompassing a total of seven additional levels. These stages are accessible by locating concealed Giant Rings within the Acts. Upon entering a Special Stage, the player is immersed in a three-dimensional open environment reminiscent of the Special Stages from Sonic the Hedgehog CD. The objective involves chasing down a lone UFO within the course, all while evading obstacles and staying within the course’s boundaries, in order to acquire the Chaos Emerald contained by the UFO before the time limit expires. In cases where the timer reaches zero or if the player falls off the track, the stage concludes, though it can be retried indefinitely. Throughout these stages, Spheres are scattered, which enhance the playable character’s speed, along with Rings that extend the game’s time limit.

Bonus Stages encompass a total of thirty-two unique areas that can be accessed by leaping into the Star Circle, which materializes above Star Posts after traversing these specific points while carrying a minimum of twenty-five Rings. These Bonus Stages in Sonic Mania adopt gameplay akin to the Special Stages found in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, and the concealed “Blue Sphere” bonus game obtainable by connecting Sonic the Hedgehog cartridges to Sonic & Knuckles.

In these stages, players are tasked with navigating a spherical planet. The objective is to gather blue spheres (alongside Rings as an added reward) while evading red spheres (note that collected blue spheres will transform into red spheres; encircling a cluster of blue spheres with red spheres will change the enclosed blue spheres into Rings). Achieving a complete Ring collection on the board leads to a “Perfect” score, and the stage concludes either upon contact with a red sphere or the collection of all blue spheres. Notably, the stage’s speed escalates with the duration of the player’s presence, heightening the level of challenge.

Completion of a Bonus Stage results in the bestowal of two distinct Medallions. Silver Medallions are granted to those who exclusively gather all the Blue Spheres, whereas Gold Medallions are conferred upon those who successfully collect all the blue spheres and Rings.

Mini-Bosses

1. DD Wrecker (Green Hill Zone)
2. Amoeba Droid (Chemical Plant Zone)
3. Heavy Gunner (Studiopolis Zone)
4. Big Squeeze (Flying Battery Zone)
5. Shiversaw (Press Garden Zone)
6. Hotaru Hi-Watt (Stardust Speedway Zone)
7. Dive Eggman (Hydrocity Zone)
8. Uber Caterkiller (Mirage Saloon Zone)
9. Meter Droid (Oil Ocean Zone)
10. Drillerdroid (Lava Reef Zone)
11. Egg Pistons mk.II (Metallic Madness Zone)
12. Crimson Eye (Titanic Monarch Zone)

Zone Bosses

1. Death Egg Robot (Green Hill Zone)
2. Mean Bean Machine (Chemical Plant Zone)
3. Weather Globe (Studiopolis Zone)
4. Spider Mobile (Flying Battery Zone)
5. Heavy Shinobi (Press Garden Zone)
6. Metal Sonic (Stardust Speedway Zone)
7. Laundro-Mobile (Hydrocity Zone)
8. Heavy Magician (Mirage Saloon Zone)
9. Mega Octus (Oil Ocean Zone)
10. Heavy Rider/Heavy King (Lava Reef Zone)
11. Gachapandora (Metallic Madness Zone)
12. Phantom Egg (Titanic Monarch Zone)
13. Phantom King and Klepto Mobile (Egg Reverie Zone)

Game Options

Within Mania Mode, an extra submenu referred to as “Game Options” (previously known as the Secrets menu) is available, enabling players to configure supplementary bonus features while engaged in Mania Mode gameplay. The activation of these features is contingent upon the acquisition of Medallions in the Bonus Stages, and the selection includes the subsequent options:

1. Time Limit: This toggle permits players to activate or deactivate the 10-minute time restriction for completing an Act. If this feature is deactivated, the timer will continue beyond the 10-minute threshold without resulting in the loss of a life.
2. Debug Mode: Activation of Debug Mode is achieved by toggling this option. While Debug Mode is operational, the upper portion of the screen’s top-right corner will display two lines of hexadecimal code: the upper line indicates camera coordinates, while the lower line denotes player coordinates. This feature is unlocked after the player collects sixteen Medallions and follows the commands below:

Button Formation	Reaction
///[Q]	Enter/exit object placement mode
//Arrow Keys (in object placement mode)	Move around
///[A] (in object placement mode)	Cycle forward through the available objects
Hold ///[A] > ///[W] (in object placement mode)	Cycle backward through the available objects
///[S] when selecting Item Box	Change contents of Item Box
///[W] while holding object	Place object

• Sonic Ability: Provides players with the option to personalize Sonic’s repertoire of moves for their gameplay experience.
  • Mania: Grants Sonic the ability to perform the Drop Dash move. This configuration is the default setting accessible from the start of the game.
  • CD: Substitutes Sonic’s Drop Dash maneuver with the Super Peel Out move, originally from Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Additionally, it replaces one of Sonic’s swift running animations with his “figure-eight” running animation. This option becomes available after obtaining a single Medallion.
  • 3&K: Substitutes Sonic’s Drop Dash maneuver with the Insta-Shield move, featured in Sonic 3 & Knuckles. This alternative becomes accessible after the player has collected six Medallions.
• & Knuckles: Introduces a computer-controlled Knuckles as a companion that accompanies the player’s character during gameplay, analogous to Tails’ role in Mania Mode. This even applies when the player selects Knuckles as their character. This feature becomes unlocked upon acquiring eleven Medallions.

Competition

Competition mode in Sonic Mania constitutes the multiplayer facet of the game, enabling two players to engage in split-screen races through shared Acts from the Mania Mode, reminiscent of the approach seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.^[21]Lozada, David (August 8, 2017). Sonic Mania’s Competition Mode Revealed Inviting Fans to Relive Their Sonic 2 Days. Retrieved on August 8, 2017.

Within the Competition mode, the player initiating the mode assumes the role of Player 1, leaving the other participant as Player 2. Before delving into the race, the players select from the trio of playable characters, followed by configuring the game parameters, encompassing:

• Items: Determines the pattern of item distribution from Item Boxes during the Act. The available choices are “Fixed” (preserving the original power-ups of the chosen Act), “Teleporters Only” (substituting every Item Box with the Player Swap power-up), and “Random” (replacing every Item Box with the Random power-up).
• Match Length: Dictates the number of rounds undertaken by the players.
• Screen Layout (V1.04 only): Determines whether the game screen’s appearance is stretched or maintains a pixel-perfect display.

Before embarking on a race, the participants designate the Zone and Act to race through; the selection of available Zones is contingent on the player’s progress in Mania Mode. When commencing a race, Player 1 occupies the upper screen position, while Player 2 appears on the lower screen, and both adhere to two guiding principles:

1. Upon a player crossing the Goal Plate, the opposing player has a time limit of sixty seconds to conclude the Act or concede to a Time Over.
2. If both participants experience a Time Over, the round culminates in a draw.

At the conclusion of an Act, the players’ performance is assessed based on five criteria: Time taken, the tally of Rings at the Act’s conclusion, the aggregate count of collected Rings (inclusive of those lost), and the number of shattered Item Boxes. The participant securing the majority among these five categories attains victory in the round, while the overall winner emerges based on the broader results. In instances where the final score remains equal, a game of Mean Bean Machine is utilized as the tiebreaker.

Time Attack

Time Attack mode in Sonic Mania offers players the opportunity to revisit previously conquered Acts with the primary objective of achieving the quickest possible completion time. Unique Goal Plates are featured in Time Attack Acts, serving as both starting and concluding points. Unlike regular Acts, Time Attack versions omit bosses and Star Posts, utilizing the “Time Elapsed” counter as the designated timer. An innovative addition to the Sonic series’ Time Attack is the “Quick Restart” function, enabling players to seamlessly restart an Act from any point.

When engaging in Time Attack, players opt for a character and then select the desired Zone and Act to race through, with accessible Zones being contingent on the player’s progression in Mania Mode. The time trial commences upon crossing the Start Marker and concludes upon passing the Goal Plate. Subsequent to Act completion, the player’s performance is assessed based on their elapsed time and accompanying score; an extra “Cool Bonus” is granted for completing an Act unscathed. Post-Act completion, the game registers and stores the player’s time, subsequently allowing comparison with their personal best time records. For players connected to the internet, Sonic Mania facilitates automatic upload of time records to an online leaderboard upon Goal Plate passage.

Options

The Options menu in Sonic Mania provides access to a range of settings, including:

• Video: Offers various video customization choices:
  • PC:
    • Screen filter: Select from options like CRT-Sharp, CRT-Soft, and Clean.
    • Window Size: Choose a window size in non-full screen mode.
    • Window Border: Opt to display or hide the window border.
    • Full Screen: Decide on a resolution size for full screen mode.
    • VSync: Toggle VSync ON/OFF.
    • Triple Buffering: Activate or deactivate triple buffering.
  • Console:
    • Clean: Displays a softly rendered game screen.
    • CRT-Sharp: Presents a sharp display resembling a cathode ray tube TV.
    • CRT-Soft: Provides a softer display akin to a cathode ray tube TV.
    • None: No screen filter applied.

• Sound: Allows separate volume adjustments for “Music” and “SFX” (sound effects).
• Controls: Displays the controller layout and fundamental commands. In the PC version, users have the option to modify key assignments. Alternatively, the “Default” function restores key assignments to their original settings.
• Language: Enables language selection for displayed messages, offering options such as English, Français (French), Italiano (Italian), Deutsch (German), Español (Spanish), and 日本語 (Japanese).

Extras

The Extras menu in Sonic Mania offers a collection of bonus game modes that become accessible as players advance through the game. It also provides an overview of the Medallions obtained by completing Bonus Stages. The included modes are as follows:

• Blue Spheres: This bonus game presents players with randomly-generated Bonus Stages resembling those from Blue Sphere. It can be played in either “Original” style or “Mania” style, with the latter introducing new gameplay elements. Unlocking this mode requires collecting all thirty-two Medallions.
• Mean Bean: In this bonus game, players have the option to engage in a game of Puyo Puyo against the computer or another player. When playing alone, the difficulty can be set to five levels, ranging from easiest (level one) to most challenging (level five). This mode becomes accessible after collecting twenty-one Medallions.
• D.A. Garden: Serving as the Sound Test feature of Sonic Mania, this section enables players to listen to the game’s various music tracks and sound effects. It becomes available after acquiring twenty-six Medallions.
• Staff Credits: This option rolls the in-game credits when selected, providing recognition to the development team behind the game.

History

The development of Sonic Mania commenced in 2015 under the leadership of Australian programmer Christian “Taxman” Whitehead and Simon Thomley^[22]Paget, Mat (July 23, 2016). Two New Sonic Games Announced, Seek to Recapture the Glory Days. GameSpot. Retrieved on July 23, 2016.. Seeking to create a fresh 2D Sonic game that wasn’t a mere remake, the project was also joined by PagodaWest Games members Jared Kasl and Tom Fry, both known for their involvement in a fan-made HD remake of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.^[23]PagodaWest Games on Twitter. Twitter (July 29, 2016). Retrieved on September 6, 2016. “Noah Copeland: Question: is everyone from PagodaWest involved in the development of Sonic Mania, or just one/two team members? / PagodaWest Games: Jared and Tom, formerly a part of S2HD are in charge of level design/art and @teelopesmusic is doing the music” Whitehead, renowned within the Sonic fangame community, had previously worked on remastered ports of classic Sonic titles for mobile platforms.^[24]“Interview with Takashi Iizuka” (in Japanese). Famitsu. April 2017. “グラフィックの基準としては　”メガドライブ以上、サターン未満”　くらいです。”^[25]Casey . Watch The Full Sonic Mania Panel From San Diego Comic-Con. Siliconera. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved on July 31, 2017.

The concept for the game began with Whitehead presenting a prototype, called Sonic Discovery, to series producer Takashi Iizuka. Iizuka embraced the idea of incorporating revamped versions of old levels from early Sonic games, introducing a sense of novelty while retaining nostalgia. Inspired by the fully functional Studiopolis Zone demo, Iizuka coined the title “Sonic Mania,” reflecting the team’s intense passion for the series. The name captured the collaborative and fan-driven essence of the project.^[26]Sonic Stadium on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017.^[27]Goldfarb, Andrew . Comic-Con 2016: Sonic Mania Announced. IGN. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016.^[28]Donaldson, Alex . Sonic Mania hands-on: after 20 years, this is the sequel I’ve always wanted. VG24/7. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved on September 30, 2016.

Gameplay mechanics harkened back to Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with zones containing two Acts and boss encounters concluding each. Returning stages balanced familiarity in the first Act with fresh elements in the second.^[29]『ソニックマニア』は昔のファンが喜ぶ作品に！ 『ソニックフォース』やシリーズ展開を飯塚さんが語る. Dengeki Online. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017. Retrieved on November 8, 2017. The game’s level design drew influence from Sonic CD and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, blending “big, wide open” environments with streamlined aesthetics.^[30]Polygon (June 17, 2017). SONIC MANIA Developer Interview! Working with Sonic Team, Stardust Speedway and More — E3 2017. YouTube. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved on March 16, 2018. Studiopolis Zone, a Hollywood-inspired level, was the first original design.^[31]Alphabet . (Unofficial) Live Sonic Mania Developer Playthrough. YouTube. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved on November 8, 2017. Mirage Saloon Zone, reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s unfinished Sand Shower Zone and Monument Valley landscapes, followed suit.^[32]Al-Aaser, Amr . The Hackers And Modders Behind The Next Official Sonic Game. Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved on August 4, 2017.

Animated sequences, crafted by Tyson Hesse from the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, adorned the opening and ending of the game. Sonic Mania supported enhanced features of PlayStation 4 Pro, achieving a native 4K resolution.^[33]Linneman, John (August 15, 2017). Sonic Mania is the sequel we’ve waited 23 years for. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017.^[34]Digital Foundry Analyzes Sonic Mania on All Platforms, Which Version Is Best?. WWG. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. The music, composed by Tee Lopes of PagodaWest Games, combined reimagined tracks from previous Sonic games with new compositions.^[35]Macgregor, Jody . Manic melodies: Sonic Mania’s composer breaks down its best song. PCGamer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved on November 7, 2017. Lopes’ experience as a popular YouTube arranger of Sonic music and his work on Sonic 2 HD fan project earned him the role.^[36]Creating the old-school soundtrack of Sonic Mania. The Verge. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved on 7 November 2017. Lopes initially aimed for a Sonic the Hedgehog CD-like score, eventually drawing inspiration from other classic Sonic titles, Sega games, and even 1990s pop music, notably Michael Jackson’s work. The opening theme, “Friends,” was contributed by electronic music group Hyper Potions.^[37]Donnelly, Joe . Watch Sonic Mania’s nostalgia-loaded opening animation [Updated]. PC Gamer. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved on August 13, 2017.^[38]Hyper Potions . Hyper Potions – Friends (Sonic Mania Opening Animation Song). YouTube. Archived from the original on August 13, 2017. Retrieved on December 1, 2017.

Sonic Mania’s journey began with its announcement at the San Diego Comic-Con 2016, marked by a debut trailer presented by Sega.^[39]Whitaker, Jed (July 23, 2016). Sonic the Hedgehog is heading back to his retro roots in Sonic Mania. Destructoid. Retrieved on July 23, 2016. Christian Whitehead, a pivotal figure in the Sonic fan game community, later revealed that Sonic Mania would surpass the length of Sonic Generations, indicating its substantial content.[26] During an official Sonic Twitch stream, Takashi Iizuka, a series producer, disclosed that Sonic Mania would feature more classic levels than new ones, aligning with Sonic Team’s aim to celebrate the classic titles in a fresh and exhilarating manner.^[40]Iizuka On Sonic Twitch Stream: “Sonic Mania Will Have More Classic Levels Than New Ones”. TSSZ News (September 20, 2016). Retrieved on September 21, 2016.^[41]Christian Whitehead On Mania Level Ratio: “For Sonic’s 25th Sonic Team Wanted To Celebrate Classic Games In New & Exciting Way”. TSSZ News (September 22, 2016). Retrieved on September 23, 2016.

Not long after the announcement, Renegade Kid, a game development company, expressed interest in porting Sonic Mania to the Nintendo 3DS.^[42]Renegade Kid Offers to Port Sonic Mania to Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo Enthusiast (July 23, 2016). Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved on January 7, 2022. However, the landscape shifted as Renegade Kid split into two distinct entities, Atooi and Infitizmo, rendering a Nintendo 3DS port unlikely.^[43]Renegade Kid. Renegade Kid (August 29, 2016). Archived from the original on September 3, 2016. Retrieved on January 7, 2022.

Subsequently, on January 12, 2017, a Nintendo Switch version was confirmed, with Tantalus Media assisting in the porting process.^[44]Chen, James . Sonic Mania Hits All Platforms This Spring. Retrieved on January 13, 2017. SXSW 2017 brought further revelations as it was announced that the event would host a Sonic panel to unveil additional details about both Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces.^[45]SONIC MANIA, PROJECT 2017 REVEALS COMING TO SXSW 2017. Sonic Stadium (February 13, 2017).

Nintendo Dream, a Japanese gaming magazine, featured Sonic Mania, reiterating previously unveiled information and confirming the inclusion of multiplayer capabilities.^[46]New Project Sonic 2017 information confirms villain, multiplayer status and genre. Sega Bits (February 14, 2017). Just before March 10, 2017, Sega organized a demo at its San Francisco office to divulge more about the game. While the demo progressed well, there were noted glitches in Tails’ gameplay.^[47]SSF1991 (March 10, 2017). Sonic Mania’s “1.5 Player” Co-Op Mode Explained. TSSZ News. Retrieved on March 16, 2017. During the SXSW Sonic panel, a delay was announced, pushing the release to a later date in the year.[13]

In an E3 interview with Dengeki Online, Takashi Iizuka divulged that Sonic Mania would boast more stages than any preceding Classic Sonic game.^[48]SSF1991 (June 22, 2017). Iizuka: “Sonic Mania Will Feature More Stages Than Any Classic Sonic Game”. TSSZ News. Retrieved on June 23, 2017. On June 23, 2017, the official Sonic Twitter account disclosed a Sonic Mania vinyl album partnership with Data Discs, revealing pre-orders would be accessible on July 18.^[49]Sonic the Hedgehog on Twitter. Twitter (June 23, 2017). Retrieved on June 23, 2017.^[50]Data Discs on Twitter. Twitter (July 18, 2017). Retrieved on 18, July 2017.

San Diego Comic-Con 2017’s Sonic the Hedgehog panel unveiled that Sonic Mania’s development code name in early 2016 was “Sonic Discovery.”^[51]Sonic Stadium on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017. Furthermore, the game’s length was confirmed to be on par with Sonic 3 & Knuckles.^[52]Sonic Stadium on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017. Christian Whitehead shared his creative process, explaining that the Hard Boiled Heavies concept stemmed from imagining Dr. Eggman in a state of despondency, leading to a shift in focus from Sonic to the abandoned Eggrobos, resulting in their unique traits.^[53]Servebot42 on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017.

The curtain was lifted on Sonic Mania’s Special Stages.^[54]Sonic Stadium on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017. Notably, an opening animation reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog CD was teased, with its release date set for August 14, 2017, one day prior to the game’s launch.^[55]Sonic Stadium on Twitter. Twitter (July 22, 2017). Retrieved on July 23, 2017. Interestingly, the opening animation surfaced on August 10, potentially in response to early online leaks of the game.

The PC version of Sonic Mania was postponed to August 29, 2017, for optimization. Steam pre-order customers received a compensatory copy of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, while those who already possessed the game were granted a giftable version.^[56]Aaron Webber on Twitter. Twitter (August 11, 2017). Retrieved on August 11, 2017. The game harnessed the PlayStation 4 Pro’s capabilities, delivering a native 4K resolution.

On August 15, 2017, Christian Whitehead acknowledged certain game bugs on his Twitter account, assuring they would be addressed and rectified.^[57]Christian Whitehead on Twitter. Twitter (August 15, 2017). Retrieved on August 17, 2017. With the PC release, patches that would later be applied to the console versions were introduced. Notably, the ability to transform into Super Sonic with a button press was integrated. At the Tokyo Game Show 2017, Takashi Iizuka disclosed that Sonic Mania’s storyline intertwined with Sonic Forces.[11]

Data Discs, a music label, released a vinyl LP containing selected tracks from the game’s soundtrack.^[58]Romano, Sal . Sonic Mania vinyl album announced. Gematsu. Retrieved on June 25, 2017. This LP was presented as a single record encased in a sturdy gatefold sleeve with a special UV spot varnish, showcasing exclusive new artwork related to the game. The inner sleeve was adorned with illustrations of various in-game characters. Moreover, the release encompassed a downloadable album code, accessible in both lossy and lossless formats. This vinyl edition came in three variants: 180g Classic Black, 180g Classic Blue, and a 180g Limited Edition exclusively available through Data Discs’ official website.^[59]Data Discs (June 23, 2017). Retrieved on June 28, 2017. The shipment of these albums commenced in September 2017.

Subsequently, on January 17, 2018, the digital version of the Sonic Mania soundtrack was made available for download on platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon. While encompassing most of the game’s musical compositions, it excluded tracks associated with Green Hill Zone, Chemical Plant Zone, and Oil Ocean Zone.^[60]Sega on Twitter (Japanese). Twitter (January 17, 2018). Retrieved on January 17, 2018.^[61]Sega on Twitter. Twitter (January 17, 2018). Retrieved on January 17, 2018.

These are the achievements and trophies for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Steam versions of Sonic Mania.

Image	Name	Description	Requirement	Trophy Class	Xbox Live Gamescore
	No Way? No Way	Collect gold medallions in Blue Spheres Bonus stage	Collect all 32 gold medallions		100
	Full Medal Jacket	Collect silver medallions in Blue Spheres Bonus stage	Collect all 32 silver medallions		75
	Magnificent Seven	Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds	Complete all seven Special Stages.		75
	See You Next Game	Achieve any ending	Defeat the Phantom Egg and also the Phantom King and Klepto Mobile if you have all Chaos Emeralds.		50
	Superstar	Spin the Star Post!	Reach the Star Post ten times.		50
	That’s a Two-fer	Find the hidden item boxes at the end of the Zone	Reveal two hidden Item Boxes using the Goal Post at the end of the first Act of any Zone.		50
	Now It Can’t Hurt You Anymore	What would happen if you cross a bridge with a fire shield?	Walk on a spiky bridge in Green Hill Zone with a Fire Shield.		50
	Triple Trouble	Try for a 3 chain combo!	Get a Puyo chain of three or more groups in the Mean Bean Machine boss fight or in Mean Bean mode.		50
	The Most Famous Hedgehog in the World	Have your photos taken in Studiopolis Zone	Let the Shutterbugs take your photograph ten times.		50
	Window Shopping	Let the wind take you through	In Flying Battery Zone Act 2, there are two windows with Rings going through them. Jump through the window on the right.		50
	Crate Expectations	Wreak havoc at the propaganda factory	Find the crate room in Press Garden Zone Act 1 and destroy all the crates using the Fire Shield provided in the room.		50
	King of Speed	Get through Stardust Speedway Zone as quickly as possible	Reach the boss area of Stardust Speedway Zone Act 2 in less than one minute.		50
	Boat Enthusiast	We really like boats	Ride on all the boats in Hydrocity Zone Act 1.		50
	The Password is “Special Stage”	Try pushing a barrel to see how far it goes	Push the barrel that leads to a Giant Ring in Mirage Saloon Zone Act 2.		50
	Secret Sub	You might have to submerge to find it	Find the secret sub in Oil Ocean Zone Act 2.		50
	Without a Trace	Barrel through the lava, don’t let anything stop you	Destroy a Rexon using a walking platform mech in Lava Reef Zone.		50
	Collect ‘Em All	Gotta gacha ’em all	Release all eight of the Gachapandora’s capsules without destroying any of the robots inside.		50
	Professional Hedgehog	That elusive perfect run, only a professional can achieve	Clear Titanic Monarch Zone Act 1 without getting hurt.		50

When the game’s anticipated release was set for Summer 2017, the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account conducted a poll on September 8, 2016, regarding the availability of the Collector’s Edition of the game.^[62]Sonic the Hedgehog on Twitter. Twitter (September 8, 2016). Retrieved on September 13, 2016. “Sonic the Hedgehog: Real Talk: If we made a Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition, would you buy it?” Subsequently, on September 13, Amazon accidentally revealed a pre-order offer for the Sonic Mania: Collector’s Edition for PC.^[63]Scammell, David (September 13, 2016). Sonic Mania’s Collector’s Edition could be the best Collector’s Edition I’ve ever seen. VideoGamer.com. Retrieved on September 13, 2016. This Collector’s Edition is composed of a Sega Mega Drive-themed package, a 12″ Classic Sonic Statue positioned on a Sega Mega Drive that plays the iconic “Sega” chant upon activation, a metallic collector’s card, and a Mega Drive cartridge-like cast adorned with a golden Ring. Following its initial introduction for PC, the Collector’s Edition was later confirmed for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One platforms, and eventually, for the Nintendo Switch as well,^[64]Amazon.com: Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition – Switch. Amazon (January 13, 2017). Retrieved on January 14, 2017. although its availability remained exclusive to North America.^[65]Sonic the Hedgehog on Twitter. Twitter (September 8, 2016). Retrieved on September 13, 2016. Notably, pre-orders for the Collector’s Edition became accessible for European countries starting from October 17, 2016.^[66]Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition races into Europe. PlayStation Blog (October 17, 2016). Retrieved on October 18, 2016. In order to promote the Collector’s Edition, Sega produced a retro-style infomercial that drew inspiration from a vintage American infomercial for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The infomercial featured appearances by former Sonic series art director Kazuyuki Hoshino and social media manager Aaron Webber.^[67]Pereira, Chris . 90s-Style Trailer for Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition Is Perfect. GameSpot. Retrieved on September 28, 2016.

During September 2016, Sega commenced the sale of official t-shirts through Amazon US, a campaign that lasted until September 30. These offerings encompassed shirts themed around Studiopolis Zone and “Triple Threat” t-shirts showcasing icons of the game’s three playable characters. Notably, the Studiopolis and Triple Threat shirts featuring the Sonic Mania logo were initially listed on Amazon UK, although these listings were eventually removed.^[68]Three Weeks Remain for Limited Edition Sonic Mania T-Shirts on Amazon. Sonic Stadium (September 10, 2016). Retrieved on September 13, 2016. Additionally, it was disclosed that a total of 26 Collector’s Edition boxes were personally signed by members of Sonic Team.

As an extra treat, attendees of the Sonic Mania panel at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con were presented with a promotional instruction manual for the game.

Pre-Release

Post-Release

Upon its release on consoles, Sonic Mania garnered “generally favorable” reviews, as indicated by review aggregator Metacritic. The game swiftly earned the distinction of being the highest-rated Sonic title in fifteen years,^[79]Helster, Blake (August 17, 2017). Sonic Mania is the Highest-Rated Sonic game in 15 Years. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on August 21, 2017. and multiple reviewers hailed it as one of the finest Sonic games ever created and a standout example of the 2D platformer genre.^[80]Espineli, Matt (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania Review. GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved on August 14, 2017.^[81]Joseph, Remington (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania (PlayStation 4) Review: A Classic Sonic Fan’s Paradise. CG Magazine Online.^[82]Chadwell, Dustin (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania review for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC. Gaming Age.^[83]Irwin, Dave (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania Review. The Sixth Axis.^[84]McGlone, Ed (August 16, 2017). Sonic Mania Review. Twinfinite. Electronic Gaming Monthly praised it as a pure and enjoyable Sonic experience, expressing anticipation for what lies ahead. IGN characterized Sonic Mania as a true throwback for dedicated series fans while still accessible to newcomers. Nintendo World Report echoed this sentiment, asserting that fans of classic Sonic should not miss the game and that its impeccable level design, music, and graphics would delight any aficionado of well-crafted sidescrollers.^[85]Rosenberg, Jared (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania Review. Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved on August 14, 2017. Waypoint likened the game’s appeal to that of Donkey Kong Country Returns, applauding its ability to capture the essence of 90s inspirations.^[86]Riendeau, Danielle (August 14, 2017). No Joke, ‘Sonic Mania’ Is Really Great. Waypoint.

Reviewers commended Sonic Mania’s meticulous attention to its source material. Game Informer noted its near-indistinguishable gameplay from the original Genesis titles, complemented by added moves and enhanced polish. Twinfinite commended the game’s inclusion of nostalgic references without overwhelming fans.^[87]McGlone, Ed (August 16, 2017). Sonic Mania Review. Twinfinite. Retrieved on August 21, 2017. Sonic Mania’s graphics and soundtrack received widespread acclaim, with descriptions of its pixel art as the pinnacle of Sonic’s visual evolution. The animations, detail, and music were all lauded for their quality and contribution to the overall experience.

Some reviewers, such as Polygon, highlighted certain aspects, like controls and enemy placement, as examples of the game’s dedication to the original titles, occasionally to its detriment. AppTrigger noted both the successful return to Sonic’s 2D roots and the game’s reminder of issues inherent to early 90s 2D platformers.^[88]Chrisman, Eric (August 14, 2017). Sonic Mania Review: The Tao of Sonic. AppTrigger. Retrieved on August 21, 2017. VideoGamer raised concerns about nostalgia reliance, the limited number of original stages, and minimal innovation, though still considered the game a strong proof of concept for future expansion.

Shortly after its launch, the Nintendo Switch version of Sonic Mania dominated bestseller charts in various regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan.^[89]SF1991 (August 16, 2017). Sonic Mania #1 Switch Best Seller In Most Regions, #6 In Japan. TSSZ News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved on June 14, 2022.

The PC version faced criticism for its Denuvo DRM implementation, and an initial bug that required an internet connection to play. However, Sega promptly addressed the issue with a patch.^[90]Williams, Mike (August 31, 2017). Sonic Mania Reviews On Steam Turn Negative and Nasty Over Denuvo DRM. US Gamer. Retrieved on August 30, 2017.^[91]Steam users review-bomb Sonic Mania over unexpected DRM. Eurogamer (August 31, 2017). Retrieved on August 30, 2017.^[92]Alexandra, Heather (August 30, 2017). Sega Lets Sonic Mania PC Fans Play Offline After DRM Backlash. Kotaku. Retrieved on August 30, 2017.^[93]Sega: The Sonic Mania offline play bug has now been patched [Updated]. PC Gamer (August 30, 2017). Retrieved on August 31, 2017.

In a retrospective assessment, IGN placed Sonic Mania as the second greatest Sonic game of all time in a 2022 list^[94]IGN staff (July 13, 2022). The 10 Best Sonic Games. IGN. Retrieved on December 2, 2022., while WatchMojo ranked it fifth among the “Top 20 Sonic the Hedgehog Games.”^[95]Reynolds, Johnny (2022). Top 20 Best Sonic The Hedgehog Games. WatchMojo. Retrieved on December 19, 2022.

Sales

Sonic Mania achieved the top position on the best-seller list for the Nintendo Switch, surpassing the sales of previous leaders such as Minecraft and Overcooked: Special Edition.^[96]Calvert, Darren (August 16, 2017). Sonic Mania Dashes Straight To The Top Of The Switch Best Sellers Chart. Nintendo Life. Retrieved on November 8, 2017. The game’s remarkable success significantly bolstered Sega’s financial performance in the third quarter of 2017. Sonic Mania played a pivotal role in driving Sega’s packaged game sales to nearly double the figures recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.^[97]Comicbook.com staff (November 5, 2017). Sonic Mania Helps Boost Sega Sales For The Season. Comicbook.com. Retrieved on November 8, 2017.

Accolades

During E3 2017, Sonic Mania received nominations for the “Best Platformer” and “Best Nintendo Switch Game” awards from IGN, although it did not secure a win in either category, as Super Mario Odyssey emerged victorious.^[98]Best of E3 2017 Awards. IGN (June 13, 2017). Archived from the original on June 13, 2017. Retrieved on June 17, 2017. The game was also a contender for the “Best Family Game” award at The Game Awards 2017,^[99]Hester, Blake (November 14, 2017). ‘Horizon Zero Dawn,’ ‘Zelda,’ ‘Mario’ Top List of Game Award Nominees. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved on November 14, 2017. was nominated for “Best Platformer” at PC Gamer’s Game of the Year 2017 Awards,^[100]PC Gamer (December 8, 2017). Games of the Year 2017: The nominees. PC Gamer. Retrieved on January 2, 2018. and was in the running for “Best PC Game” at Destructoid’s Game of the Year Awards 2017.^[101]Carter, Chris (December 12, 2017). Nominees for Destructoid‘s Best PC Game of 2017. Destructoid. Retrieved on January 3, 2018. Among its nominations, Sonic Mania triumphed in IGN’s People’s Choice category for “Best Original Music,”^[102]Best of 2017 Awards: Best Platformer. IGN (December 20, 2017). Retrieved on January 5, 2018.^[103]Best of 2017 Awards: Best Original Music. IGN (December 20, 2017). Retrieved on January 5, 2018. and it was recognized as a runner-up for “Best Surprise” by Giant Bomb in their Game of the Year 2017 Awards.^[104]Giant Bomb staff (December 26, 2017). Game of the Year 2017 Day Two: Music, Surprise, Multiplayer, and Mess. Giant Bomb. Retrieved on December 27, 2017. Entertainment Weekly placed the game ninth on its list of the “Best Games of 2017,”^[105]; Abrams, Natalie The 10 best (and 3 worst) games of 2017. Entertainment Weekly (7 December 2017). Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved on June 14, 2022. while Eurogamer ranked it as the 27th best game in their “Top 50 Games of 2017” list.^[106]Eurogamer staff (December 28, 2017). Eurogamer’s Top 50 Games of 2017. Eurogamer. Retrieved on December 31, 2017.

Console

Version 1.03 (September 25, 2017)^[107]Nash, Anthony (September 25, 2017). Sonic Mania Update 1.03 Brings Subtle Changes to the Game. PlayStation LifeStyle. Retrieved on September 26, 2017.

• Now, to trigger their character’s Super State with all Chaos Emeralds and fifty Rings, the player employs the Y button on Xbox, PSTriangleButton on PlayStation, or Switch x button, rather than activating it by jumping in mid-air.
• Scores are no longer retained upon completing a game file. When commencing a level from a completed game file, the score resets to zero.
• Numerous gameplay bugs and glitches have been rectified.
• The “Dunkey” Easter egg in Hydrocity Zone has been removed, except in the Switch version.
• Modifications have been made to the controls for Debug Mode.
• Accessing Level Select via the title screen is no longer feasible.

Version 1.04 (July 17, 2018) – Sonic Mania Plus update:

• Credits have been attributed to Hyperkinetic Studios.
• The main menu has undergone a comprehensive redesign. Choices are now presented in a list on the right side of the screen, accompanied by animations on the left.
• For players without Sonic Mania Plus, an option for DLC appears on the main menu, enabling the purchase of the Encore DLC and an upgrade to Sonic Mania Plus.
• The “Secrets” menu in Mania Mode has been rebranded as “Game Options,” and many of its choices are now applicable to save files beyond just “No Save Mode.” Additionally, an option to deactivate the time limit has been included.
• Fresh cheats have been introduced to the secret level select within Mania Mode.
• Continues are now accessible in save files, permitting players to earn them within the Special Stage.
• Exiting the game redirects the player to the respective mode’s menu instead of the main menu.
• Alterations have been made to the Time Attack menu interface, and a new results screen is displayed upon reaching the goal.
• The Time Attack leaderboards have been reset.
• In Competition Mode, selecting the same character another player has chosen is no longer possible.
• Competition Mode now features screen layout settings, granting players the option to play without stretched screens.
• A countdown jingle plays when players have just twelve seconds left to reach the goal in Competition Mode.
• A new data option within settings enables the player to erase all saves, medallions, replays, save data, and Time Attack scores in Mania Mode (and Encore if Sonic Mania Plus is owned).
• Previously absent Zone transition scenes, such as in Flying Battery Zone, have been introduced.
• Super Sonic boasts a comprehensive set of sprite animations.
• Tails now showcases an animation at the onset of Chemical Plant Zone, distinct from the unused version in prior releases.
• Unused frozen sprites for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles have been incorporated.
• Numerous bosses have been fine-tuned.
• The Metal Sonic boss fight has undergone adjustments, both in the initial and final phases.
• Minor alterations to certain Badniks’ palettes ensure compatibility with their new Encore Palettes.
• Proximity to waterfalls in Green Hill Zone triggers an ambient sound effect.
• Upon death from Spikes, the original unique sound effect plays instead of the regular death sound.
• A resolved bug ensures the Insta-Shield extends its hitbox upon use.
• Characters now slide down water slides in Hydrocity Zone, deviating from sliding on them.
• The “Dunkey” Easter egg, previously removed from other console versions in v1.03, has been eradicated from the Switch version.
• Characters other than Knuckles no longer transform into Knuckles when confronting the Heavy King.
• The “Try Again” screen now plays the sample heard at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog CD’s Japanese bad ending. Exiting the screen causes a flash with a Phantom Ruby sound effect.
• The Switch version now supports video capture, enabling players to record 30-second clips by holding the Capture button anytime.
• A screen burn-in reduction feature has been introduced, dimming the screen after 5 minutes of inactivity.

PC

RC 1.03.0829 (August 28, 2017)^[108]Sonic Mania: Hacking Diccussion. Sonic Retro Forums (August 29, 2017). Retrieved on October 7, 2017.

• Players can now trigger their character’s Super State (when in possession of all Chaos Emeralds and 50 Rings) using a distinct button, eliminating the need to press the jump button while airborne.
• Additional fixes, originally present in the PC version, are planned for future implementation in the console versions.
• The initial release incorporates Denuvo DRM and does not facilitate offline play.

N/A (August 30, 2017)^[109]SEGA on Facebook. Facebook (August 30, 2017). Retrieved on October 7, 2017.

• After the game has been launched online at least once, it is now capable of running in offline mode.

RC 1.03.0831 (September 6, 2017)^[110]Patch Release (RC 1.03.0831) (September 6, 2017). Retrieved on October 7, 2017.

• Addressed several bugs, including a soft lock problem in No Save mode that could occur for certain players after defeating the Phantom Egg when all Chaos Emeralds have been collected.

RC 1.03.0919 (September 25, 2017)^[111]Patch Release (RC 1.03.0919) (September 25, 2017). Retrieved on October 7, 2017.

• Included support for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean localizations.
• Removed the “Dunkey” Easter egg found in Hydrocity Zone.

RC 1.05.0713 (July 17, 2018)

• Incorporates the majority of modifications introduced in Version 1.04 for console versions.

RC 1.06.0503 (March 8, 2019)^[112]Patch Release (RC 1.06.0503). Steam (March 8, 2019). Retrieved on October 25, 2019.

• Addressed a problem where controller detection was occasionally inconsistent.
• Expanded the storage capacity available for user replay data.
• Rectified an occurrence where the check for compatible shaders was omitted during game startup.
• Furthermore, an unannounced free beta patch has been released, eliminating the Denuvo DRM from the game.^[113]Bloom, Ryan (March 8, 2019). Sonic Mania to remove Denuvo DRM on PC. TSSZ News. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved on October 25, 2019.

Level Select

Main article: Level Select

Access Mania Mode, navigate to the “Game Options” submenu, and activate Debug Mode. Subsequently, proceed to highlight the “No Save” option within the save selection menu, and then execute the specified commands to enter the Level Select feature:

PlayStation 4	Xbox One	Switch	PC
Hold  + OPTIONS	Hold  + Menu	Hold  + +	Hold [Q] + [A]

Sound Test

In Version 1.04/RC 1.06.0713 of the game, new cheat codes have been introduced, and these codes can be entered in the Sound Test from the Level Select menu:^[114]CodeNameGamma on Reddit. Reddit (July 21, 2018). Retrieved on July 24, 2018.

1. All Chaos Emeralds: Input sounds 04, 01, 02, 06. This grants the player all of the Chaos Emeralds, enabling super transformation.
2. 14 Continues: Input sounds 01, 09, 09, 02, 01, 01, 02, 04.
3. Encore Mode: Input sounds 02, 00, 01, 08, 00, 06, 02, 03. This activates Encore Mode, allowing the player to access Encore Mode Zones (excluding Angel Island Zone) and utilize Debug Mode in Encore Mode. Attempting to access Egg Reverie Zone after activating this cheat will redirect the player to the first Special Stage in Mania Mode instead. This feature is available in Sonic Mania Plus or in Sonic Mania after obtaining the Encore DLC.
4. Egg Reverie Super State gameplay in any level: Input sounds 02, 00, 01, 07, 00, 08, 01, 05. This enables all characters to utilize their Super State, allowing flight and the use of the dash attack (requiring five rings) in any zone, similar to Super Sonic’s abilities in Egg Reverie Zone.
5. All Sonic Abilities: Input sounds 09, 00, 00, 01. This provides Sonic with access to the Insta-Shield, Drop Dash, and Super Peel Out simultaneously.
6. Disable Super Music: Input sounds 06, 02, 01, 04.
7. Ricky Mania: Input sounds 01, 09, 07, 09, 00, 08, 01, 01. This replaces all animals with Ricky.
8. 32 Gold Medallions: First, on the title screen, enter the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 level select code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Up, Up) during the time between Sonic’s appearance and the “press start” option. Then, access level select and use the Ricky Mania code. After this, input sounds “01, 09, 08, 09, 00, 05, 00, 01” to obtain thirty-two gold Medallions. This effect is lost upon exiting the game. As a result, if the player initially had six silver medallions and then uses the cheat code to obtain all thirty-two gold medallions, the player’s medallions will revert to six silver ones after leaving and re-entering the game. Additionally, this cheat does not unlock the “Full Medal Jacket” or “No Way? No Way” achievements in the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam versions of the game.

Miscellaneous

• Dunkey Easter Egg: To activate the Dunkey Easter Egg, hang onto one of the hooks in Hydrocity Zone and input the following sequence on the directional controls: left, left, left, right, right, right, up, up, up. This triggers a ring chime sound. Subsequently, when using a Booster, a sound effect associated with videogamedunkey will be played. Interestingly, this button combination was previously utilized in Sonic 3 & Knuckles as a Level Select cheat code. However, it’s important to note that this Easter egg was removed in Version 1.03/RC 1.03.0919 (September 25, 2017).
• Vape Mode: Within the game’s code, a mode named “Vaporware Mode” was discovered, accessible from the Level Select menu. Unfortunately, the specific code to activate this mode remains unknown.

• This marks Sonic’s debut on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
• It stands as the first installment in the Sonic series to support 4K resolution.
• The cover art adopts a color palette primarily composed of shades of blue, orange, and red, symbolizing Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles respectively.
• The opening section of the debut trailer showcases a remixed version of the ending credits music from the Genesis release of Sonic 3D Blast.
• The latter part of the trailer features a track named “Checkpoint,” composed and arranged by Nitro Fun and Hyper Potions.
• Hyper Potions also composed the themes for the Pre-order Trailer and Opening Animation, titled “Time Trials” and “Friends” respectively.^[115]Nitro Fun & Hyper Potions – Checkpoint. YouTube. Retrieved on November 11, 2017.
• This release introduces an interesting mechanic wherein the playable character can sprint faster than the screen, similar to the original games, yet with a deliberate design.
• A unique victory pose for Sonic, inspired by earlier concepts, is employed after completing an Act.
• Visual references and homages are present throughout, like the “1,” “2,” “3,” “K,” and “M” buttons in the elevator, corresponding to Sonic games.
• The original main menu layout exhibits similarities to Sonic R in its graphical presentation.
• The “& Knuckles” mode pays tribute to an internet meme related to Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
• The orchestral version of the main theme from Sonic Mania is featured in Sonic Forces.
• Sound effects from various classic Sonic titles, including Mega Drive, Sega CD, 32X, Saturn, and the 8-bit entries, enrich the auditory experience.
• Takashi Iizuka, a key figure in the Sonic franchise, personally ranks Sonic Mania among the finest classic Sonic titles.^[116]Game Informer (July 12, 2022). Sonic Frontiers: 123 Rapid-Fire Questions With Takashi Iizuka. YouTube. Retrieved on July 13, 2022.

• Official website (English)
• Official website (Japanese)
• Sonic Mania at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia