In 1991, a blue hedgehog changed the world of video games, and for twenty-five years he has collected countless rings. To celebrate this anniversary, Sega is preparing Sonic Mania, the return of Sonic to 2D.
Twenty-five years have passed since the first Sonic the Hedgehog hit the beloved Genesis. Over that time, the blue hedgehog has had his share of glory and disappointment. Lately, some of Sega's mascot's worst games have appeared, with the exception of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which echoed the classic Genesis titles. The secret was always in the 16-bit originals. And to celebrate the character's quarter-century, Sonic is set for a triumphant return to 2D with Sonic Mania.
A Return to the Classic Formula
Sticking to the style of the original Sonic the Hedgehog games for the Genesis, Sonic Mania is a 2D side-scrolling platformer in which you can play as Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles across numerous levels. Each level is a reimagined version of previous stages, with new variations, such as Green Hill Zone from the first Sonic the Hedgehog.
In addition to classic moves like the Spin Attack and Spin Dash, the game introduces a new move, the Drop Dash, which lets you perform a Spin Dash in mid-air after a jump.
Sonic Mania will also include the famous rings, elemental shields (offering protection and new attack abilities), and giant rings that take you to special stages to collect the Chaos Emeralds.
Release and Platforms
Without a doubt, this Sonic reboot is what every hedgehog fan has been waiting to play. Developed by PagodaWest Games and Headcannon, Sonic Mania will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. There's no concrete release date yet, but it's expected early in 2017.
Sonic Mania
