
I replayed many of these stages over and over, finding little nuances and secrets that eluded me the first, second, and even fifth time around. Play Sonic Mania has all the the crucial elements that go into making a great Sonic adventure: big, elaborate stages, responsive controls and movement physics, interesting and engaging tricks and traps, lots of hidden nooks and crannies to discover, and hazards that challenge you to stay alert and act fast. One route might have you thrust into the guts of a popcorn machine after being beamed around like a satellite signal, while another will send you speeding through the city’s underground subway passages.


Take, for example, the glittering neon lights and electronic contraptions of Studiopolis, an area themed after a television studio in a big city. These new zones are particularly impressive: the theming and level design in each is colorful and creative, and I was eager to run around and explore, finding all sorts of challenges (and easter eggs) within. You’ll see classic zones from Genesis-era Sonic games, like Chemical Plant, Stardust Speedway, and Lava Reef, alongside all-new areas like Studiopolis and Mirage Saloon. Sonic Mania is proof that no matter how much time passes, great gameplay is always in style.Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are back to fight Eggman’s forces the best way they know how: running, jumping, spindashing, flying, and gliding their way to victory across twelve zones.

With Sonic Mania, Sega brings Sonic back to his classic 2D sidescrolling roots, taking direct inspiration from the 16-bit games that originally propelled Sonic and friends to superstardom. He’s had his fair share of ups, downs, and loop-de-loops, but Sonic has proven to be one of gaming’s most beloved and enduring icons.
