User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 877 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 61 out of 877
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  1. Nov 5, 2017
    8
    For My First Sonic Game this was Really Good. Time after Time i have heard horrible things about the Sonic franchise so when i heard this game was good i was surprised how much fun i was having. Going fast in a game is always cool to do. When a entire game is Centered around going fast your just asking for fun. This game Opened me up to Sonic and ill be sure to try other games in the sonicFor My First Sonic Game this was Really Good. Time after Time i have heard horrible things about the Sonic franchise so when i heard this game was good i was surprised how much fun i was having. Going fast in a game is always cool to do. When a entire game is Centered around going fast your just asking for fun. This game Opened me up to Sonic and ill be sure to try other games in the sonic franchise. Expand
  2. Sep 21, 2017
    10
    I grew up playing Sonic. I have poured countless hours into Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles over the years. Not only as a kid but also at multiple times throughout my life with last year being my most recent resurgence. I tell you this so that you know I'm an expert of sorts on the 2D sonic games and so that hopefully it will carry some weight when I say: THIS IS THEI grew up playing Sonic. I have poured countless hours into Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles over the years. Not only as a kid but also at multiple times throughout my life with last year being my most recent resurgence. I tell you this so that you know I'm an expert of sorts on the 2D sonic games and so that hopefully it will carry some weight when I say: THIS IS THE BEST SONIC GAME EVER MADE! That statement also makes this game one of the best platformers ever made as well.

    The Game's brilliance cannot be understated. At $20, this game is a steal and an absolute must buy
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  3. JPK
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    Good Ol Classic Sonic
    This Game, Like Star Wars Under Disney, Knows What Made The Classics So Damn Amazing.
  4. Sep 19, 2017
    10
    It feels great to experience something like this. In my opinion, it's better than Sonic CD. It has this great value of Nostalgia, Graphics, and Gameplay. The Animation is smooth, and the music is amazing.
  5. Sep 8, 2017
    10
    This is the ultimate ride of nostalgia and I never wanted it to end, luckily the amount of content packed into this game alone made up for it very much. Even though I'm more of a Mario person, I couldn't help resist zipping across stages(or levels, I forget the exact names) with reckless abandon, and I think that this game might finally get me interested in this franchise.
  6. May 18, 2019
    10
    One of the best sonic games period, it's just great, the level design, music, and the feeling of speed is captured so perfectly, great game, i hope sega will realize that the series still has a lot of potential and they can make another fantastic game like this one.
  7. Aug 30, 2017
    10
    The best sonic game ever! I know it's an overrated opinion but seriously it's the best sonic game! The levels are creative and the recreated levels are good as ever. The new story is simple but decent. The soundtrack is amazing! Overall, Sonic Mania is the game all REAL sonic fans were waiting for.
  8. Sep 4, 2017
    8
    Sonic Mania isn't just a game. Sonic Mania isn't just a tribute. Sonic Mania is a work of art. Everything from soundtrack and gameplay are completely flawless. The levels look fantastic and feel it too.
    Those who enjoyed the originals will absolutely adore the re-imaginings of classic levels and songs. Those who didn't like classic Sonic much may also love this title as its levels are
    Sonic Mania isn't just a game. Sonic Mania isn't just a tribute. Sonic Mania is a work of art. Everything from soundtrack and gameplay are completely flawless. The levels look fantastic and feel it too.
    Those who enjoyed the originals will absolutely adore the re-imaginings of classic levels and songs. Those who didn't like classic Sonic much may also love this title as its levels are huge and reward you for exploring, unlike some of the classic games.
    Thanks to time trial and the chaos emeralds this game will give you hours and hours of entertainment. Those of all skill levels and ages will enjoy Sonic Mania as there is something here for everyone.
    Unfortunately the game comes with a large amount of bugs. I've had the game crash, characters faze through walls and random deaths after boss battle. This game probably has the most bugs out of any 2D sonic. I would love to give the game a 9/10 or 10/10 but unfortunately I cannot as it was released with so many bugs.
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  9. Aug 25, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. hhhjhjhjhnkjbhvjkml,wdmkjhvgbm,lkyftghjkmleshjkorawdfhkl;iesrtkoiuesrkoreswejiuyewaijlhersdfghjilhgesrdfghkygesrawfgyesrdfcgvjhytryesrawsfdxgcvjfdrseredfgyyftdrsedfgufytdrseasr Expand
  10. Aug 22, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Let's get real here. If you're a newcomer to the series, you probably won't be able to understand EVERY single reference this game hints at and/or throws out the window. BUUUUUUT, If you're a longtime fan of the series such as myself, you'll definitely love everything this game has to offer.

    Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes of this thing, or rather, the saucy ground beef, stick of assorted meats depending on what type of 'dog you're using and bun of this review.

    There was a time when Sonic was as loved as Mario back in the 1990's, and quite frankly, I've definitely seen what it was like, despite being born at the tail end of the 90's. And for my first 15 years growing up, I was honestly blinded from how much quality mattered in a Sonic game purely because: It was Sonic the Hedgehog. My very first video game of all time was the original 1991 title, so it holds a near and dear place in my heart. (Although not as much as Sonic 3 & Knuckles, which was my favorite Sonic game of all time, prior to this game, spoiler alert.)

    What made me excited for this game when it was revealed on the (unintentionally) crappiest livestream for an official piece of media I have ever seen was the fact that this game was being built ENTIRELY by people who have grown up with Sonic when they were kids, and have been longing for that true successor to Sonic 3 & Knuckles since 1994.

    Fast forward a little over a year later, and what do we get? Something that is ABSOLUTELY worthy of "Game of The Year" in my book. EVERYTHING in this WHOLE GAME feels right at home to me (Yes, even the "Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine" boss in Chemical Plant. I suck at Puyo Puyo, but this was a fun callback DON"T @ ME), a longtime Sonic fan. From the expansive and consistent level design to the absolutely JAMMIN' soundtrack, Sonic Mania is a nostalgia-filled love letter to the people who hold the Classic Sonic games near and dear to their hearts, myself included.

    Nothing in this game feels out of place or Post-Classic in any way, shape or form, and I FREAKING LOVE IT. Every zone in the game, whether it's eight of the re-used zones, or the four new zones of the game, feel right at home, and even incorporate gimmicks and ideas from Sonic levels not featured in this game. The only times the game has felt cheap or not as polished as the rest of the game is in my opinion, the special stages after the third one until the seventh, the mini-boss of Studiopolis Zone and some parts of Titanic Monarch (And SPOILER ALERT: The ABSOLUTELY minimal debug mode feature).

    Other than that, should you get this game? YES. Should you show Sega where the money is so we can get more games like this? ABSOLUTELY.

    That is all.
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  11. Aug 21, 2017
    9
    This game is exactly what a Sonic game should be! It brings back all the old concepts players are familiar with, and enhances them with HD graphics and a steady 60 fps. The soundtrack is amazing, the controls are simple and intuitive, and the bosses and events are always fun to conquer. There are a few quirks to the movement and combat mechanics that are a bit frustrating (Like when youThis game is exactly what a Sonic game should be! It brings back all the old concepts players are familiar with, and enhances them with HD graphics and a steady 60 fps. The soundtrack is amazing, the controls are simple and intuitive, and the bosses and events are always fun to conquer. There are a few quirks to the movement and combat mechanics that are a bit frustrating (Like when you jump diagonally off of inclines instead of up or the direction that you're inputting on the controller), but nothing that isn't easy to get used to after a while. Expand
  12. Aug 25, 2017
    8
    I really do like Sonic Mania and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone that grew up with the Sega Genesis or love 16 bit era games. It has some of the best looking sprite work I’ve ever seen and the music is outstanding. There are sometimes however, that Mania holds the originals too close to its chest and refuses to evolve. It is a work of love and I hope there are more like it soon.
  13. Aug 23, 2017
    10
    Every major classic IP should be looking very closely at Sonic Mania and asking what they got right. Street Fighter 2 Ultimate or whatever was not executed nearly as well. The price point was wrong, the additional content felt like bloatware, and the whole thing felt like a cash grab. Sonic Mania 2 is a loving tribute to the series. The remaster is really excellent, the new features areEvery major classic IP should be looking very closely at Sonic Mania and asking what they got right. Street Fighter 2 Ultimate or whatever was not executed nearly as well. The price point was wrong, the additional content felt like bloatware, and the whole thing felt like a cash grab. Sonic Mania 2 is a loving tribute to the series. The remaster is really excellent, the new features are fun and exciting, the secrets and varied gameplay is a blast, and the difficulty curve is very reminiscent of the original games. Expand
  14. Aug 28, 2017
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sonic Mania provides a colorful. fun, and fast-aced adventure with gorgeous 2D-sprites, amazing music, and brilliant stage design. For fans familiar with old Sonic the Hedgehog stages, there is much fun to take from Sonic Mania. There are many things to expect in this classic-Sonic themed homage, including multiple save files for your Sonic buddies, Tails & Knuckles, and Chaos Emeralds to collect. The boss designs in Sonic Mania are much better than those seen in Sonic CD, and Sonic's new drop dash ability provides a simple, yet surprisingly useful mechanic that brightens "Classic Sonic" gameplay entirely.

    Sonic Mania feature collectable medals - 32 locked behind special stages in which the player needs to collect blue spheres. While enticing for completionists to complete, the blue spheres are trial-and-error stages that rarely bring enjoyment when attempting them. Sonic's speed directly affects the ease of controlling him in these special stages, making tight corners and small jumps more difficult than they should be. You may think that retrying these special stages is the feasible option, but they only return after the special stage rotation has completed; that is, there is no way of practicing or preparing for an entirely new special stage in which you have one chance to collect all blue spheres without messing up. Nonetheless, the music of these special stages make playing them bearable, and nothing is more satisfying than completing them with perfection.

    If you are a Sonic the Hedgehog fan, owning this game is a must. The game offers new modes that unlock as you play, neat references to the history of SEGA and Sonic the Hedgehog, and a great amount of replayability. I applaud SEGA for allowing Christian Whitehead and his team to work on this game, because it was worth the wait and definitely worth it's value.
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  15. Aug 31, 2017
    10
    Sonic Mania has quickly become my favorite Sonic game, and it definitely is one of the greatest surprises of the year! The level design is great, the boss battles are inventive and fun and the soundtrack is spectacular!
  16. Sep 11, 2017
    10
    Sonic Mania is a true sequel to the original classical series, and about time too. Not only does this play and feel like a true classic Sonic game, but it also feels fresh to stand up to today's standards. It is now my favorite Sonic game, originally it was Sonic 3. At this point I have beaten the game will all characters and plan to play it again just for enjoyment. This game will keepSonic Mania is a true sequel to the original classical series, and about time too. Not only does this play and feel like a true classic Sonic game, but it also feels fresh to stand up to today's standards. It is now my favorite Sonic game, originally it was Sonic 3. At this point I have beaten the game will all characters and plan to play it again just for enjoyment. This game will keep you coming for more. I really hope SEGA plans to develop another one with the same formula in mind. Expand
  17. Sep 23, 2017
    10
    God, this game rules! Amazing level selection, Hydrocity, Flying Battery and Chemical Plant are some of my favourite zones ever! The new zones are so freaking good! I especially love Press Garden, so serene with perfect music. Oh yeah, this soundtrack is godlike, Tee Lopes, you're a legend! This game deserves all the praise it gets, as it shows Sonic isn't dead, all he needed was for SegaGod, this game rules! Amazing level selection, Hydrocity, Flying Battery and Chemical Plant are some of my favourite zones ever! The new zones are so freaking good! I especially love Press Garden, so serene with perfect music. Oh yeah, this soundtrack is godlike, Tee Lopes, you're a legend! This game deserves all the praise it gets, as it shows Sonic isn't dead, all he needed was for Sega to give a damn, as well as fan support. I pray this quality will go into Sonic Forces. C'mon, Sega. You can do it. You can avoid another Sonic Boom if you follow what Sonic Mania has done. Expand
  18. Sep 30, 2017
    9
    Sonic mania feels like a love letter to all the nostalgia hungry fans of gaming. The elements that make a sonic game so much fun have been separated from the failed humour, annoying side kicks and broken gameplay of the previous games and have been made the core elements of a game that plays just as great as it looks and sounds.
    There's something unique about watching sonic zoom down
    Sonic mania feels like a love letter to all the nostalgia hungry fans of gaming. The elements that make a sonic game so much fun have been separated from the failed humour, annoying side kicks and broken gameplay of the previous games and have been made the core elements of a game that plays just as great as it looks and sounds.
    There's something unique about watching sonic zoom down steep hills, dash through loops and drill through enemies and they all have to do with the intoxicating sense of speed. Gone are the hand holding, linear levels that plagued the likes of Sonic 06 and Sonic boom. Sonic mania is full of branching paths and different locations to land from a fall that all lead somewhere new. The bonus stages encourage exploration and replaying old levels but its also really fun to race up and down every slope in sight. The gameplay perfectly compliments the many creative boss levels that test your jumping, reflexes and ability to tear up some asphalt. I wont spoil it but there is one boss fight in this game that brought a huge smile to my face, lets just say you will have to beat Robotnik at his own game.
    You would think that a game that celebrates the old Sonic craze would have the catchy up beat music to go with the classic gameplay and you would be right. Every track in this game puts a rhythm into my shoulders and a swish in my hips. The music is completely varied from robotic, techno to bombastic trumpet music that even go together in the same song.
    Sonic Mania looks great FACT. The old sixteen bit graphics have not aged a bit and that blast processing never looked so shiny. The TV screen shines like a bright neon rainbow and every stage puts forth their own respective colour palette. Green hill zone once again shows bright green vegetation and crystal clear, blue rivers while the iron and steel of flying battery zone is just as shiny as the blue hedgehog that zooms over it.
    Sonic mania is quirky, flashy, flamboyant and undeniably fun. The sense of speed and adrenaline in this came is unparalleled, each new level was clearly built from the heart of a passionate sonic fan who is one in a team of many that answered a simple prayer of millions of fans
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  19. Sep 30, 2017
    9
    What’s Hot
    + All the Sonic retro nostalgia
    + Plays just like the classic Sonic The Hedgehog games + Great Music and Remixed Tracks + New and classic remixed levels are awesome. + Price is Right What’s Not - Some Glitches and bugs - Frustratingly difficult UFO Chases What is it? Sonic Mania is Sonic’s true return to his roots in 2D. While it wasn’t Sega’s first attempt to do
    What’s Hot
    + All the Sonic retro nostalgia
    + Plays just like the classic Sonic The Hedgehog games
    + Great Music and Remixed Tracks
    + New and classic remixed levels are awesome.
    + Price is Right

    What’s Not
    - Some Glitches and bugs
    - Frustratingly difficult UFO Chases

    What is it?
    Sonic Mania is Sonic’s true return to his roots in 2D. While it wasn’t Sega’s first attempt to do this (cough, cough, Sonic 4), but it is honestly the only attempt that feels like it was done right.

    Gameplay:
    It feels so good to play a 2D Sonic game with the mechanics from the early to mid 90’s. The game just feels right unlike more recent 2D iterations like Sonic The Hedgehog 4 and Sonic Generation’s 2D segments. They did and a new mechanic to the controls when you can now perform a jumping spin dash, similar to the attack that Sonic has in super smash bros. To Perform this all you have to do is double jump but hold the button the second time.

    Graphics:
    You won’t find a crisper looking 2D sonic the hedgehog game…

    Sound / Audio:
    2D Sonic the hedgehog games always had awesome music and Sonic Mania is no different. Sonic Mania remixes classic tracks as well as add new ones for the newly added levels.

    Replay:
    After the Complete that game there isn’t much to do afterwards. You can Replay stages to try to collect all the chaos emeralds, as well as complete all the blue spheres bonus stages. I can’t help but believe that Sonic Mania would have benefited from Online Multiplayer. There is a local retro split screen multiplayer but it is nothing like playing online or even better cross-platform. There is also a mini-game of Puyo-Puyo that you can play as well which adds some replay…
    Thoughts
    I could wait not until I could my pre-order of the collector's edition. I grew up a SEGA kid so this the blue blur was always my choice when it came to who was the best mascot. I’m so glad that this game didn’t fall flat like previous iterations of the franchise. If you were ever a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog games this game is for you. Whether to get the Collector’s edition or not is totally up to you. Honestly speaking I don’t think it is worth the $70 price of admission. Sega should had made a physical copy of the game to package in with the Collector’s edition. I’m also not a big fan of the UFO chases to get the chaos Emeralds. The physics are just like Sonic R and if you played that game back-in the Saturn days you will know it like trying to drive a SEMI around curvy roads. I've hearing complaints that the game’s difficulty is up there, but honestly most sonic games from the 90’s didn't hold your hands so if you are from that era you will feel at home.
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  20. Oct 26, 2017
    10
    I adore Sonic. As a series all of the 2d titles are among my top 50 favorite games ever. Sonic 3 and Knuckles was my favorite platformer of all time. Until this came out. Holy cow where do I start. The music is incredible, the levels are impeccably designed, the time trial mode adds hundreds of hours of replayability to the game, and its just fun. Even the worst levels are still fun toI adore Sonic. As a series all of the 2d titles are among my top 50 favorite games ever. Sonic 3 and Knuckles was my favorite platformer of all time. Until this came out. Holy cow where do I start. The music is incredible, the levels are impeccably designed, the time trial mode adds hundreds of hours of replayability to the game, and its just fun. Even the worst levels are still fun to play, which isnt something i could say about any other sonic Expand
  21. Oct 29, 2017
    8
    Sonic Mania is a very amazing throwback to Classic 2D sonic, But I wish there was more content to play and maybe even more co-op levels. The Gameplay is good and Story is Nice as well, and you get to finally play as Tails and Knuckles in there classic forms. Besides the bosses are fun and levels are great to play over and over. Sonic Mania is a amazing throwback to classic 2D Sonic!
  22. Nov 1, 2017
    9
    This is one of the funnest games I have ever played but the lack of transition in some level is weird so I can't give it a perfect score, But still it is a great game and you should check it out.
  23. Nov 3, 2017
    9
    Sonic Mania is truly one of the best callbacks to the old days, bringing back old and new alike. Sega should praised at the highest degree, as this is pure masterpiece. No game is perfect, however, which is why it gets a 9 from me.
  24. Nov 5, 2017
    9
    Sonic Mania delivers its promise incredibly well, its the love letter to every classic Sonic fan people have been begging for many years, and its quality is so outstanding even non-classic fans should find pleasure in playing it.

    What caught my attention the most is how well built the levels where, specially the brand new ones. Every level, even past ones, has a specific gimmick to make
    Sonic Mania delivers its promise incredibly well, its the love letter to every classic Sonic fan people have been begging for many years, and its quality is so outstanding even non-classic fans should find pleasure in playing it.

    What caught my attention the most is how well built the levels where, specially the brand new ones. Every level, even past ones, has a specific gimmick to make it stand out from the rest, combine that with fair enemy & obstacles placements and you get levels you`ll hardly get tired off. Not to mention how well it manages to make the player have a sense of speed while still keeping the gameplay fun & engaging, this is something that SEGA has admitedly gotten worse at over the years, so seeing it done so well in this entry was great to see.

    One of Mania`s best aspects as well is its stellar soundtrack, I can`t help but listen to many of its songs very often beacuse of how great each one is in their own unique ways, each tune doesn`t just fit its level but also has a very catchy feel to it which will easily force a smile out of you, saying the game`s musician Tee Lopes is a god at his craft would be an understatement, easily one of my favorite soundtracks from 2017.

    The gameplay & artstyle are just as great as you`d expect from a sequel to the classic genesis games, the smooth phyisics from those old games have returned in their full glory and make the game that much more fun than most of SEGA`s other 2D Sonic titles since the Genesis games, and the new addition of the Drop Dash makes speedrunning levels incredibly more fun, what seems like a minor new addition is actually one of my favorite things about the game, as it allows players to traverse through levels faster, which is after all what Sonic games have always been about.

    Though as good as the design and presentation may be, the game still has quite a handful of annoying glitches that can even force you to restart your progress in a level, this is a major problem as the chances of you coming across at least 1 of these is considerably high. Not to mention how the Switch version has a problem the other versions seem to lack, and that`s the fact that getting to the Home Menu takes way longer than it should, which can be pretty annoying at times.

    But despite those flaws, they barely matter when you consider how incredible the game is otherwise with its great music, level design, gameplay etc. In fact I`d go as far as to say that Sonic Mania is, in my opinion, the best Sonic game ever created.
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  25. Nov 8, 2017
    10
    Amazing game that improves on old formula and make Sonic great again, but I wish that unlockables weren't hidden behind annyoing secret levels. It's also waste that there are only 4 new zones.
  26. Nov 9, 2017
    10
    It's Sonic in 2D with a new story and stages obviously it deserves 100/100.................
    ........

    AND THERE'S A &KNUCKLES MODE WHAT MORE DO WANT!!!
  27. Feb 26, 2018
    9
    This is the perfect Sonic game. For any fan of Sonic, or platformers in general, this is a must buy! The game has beautiful graphics, great bosses, an enthralling sense of exploration, a wonderful soundtrack, and the best collection of levels in the series, with new and old levels while adding a new twist on them. This game is only $20, and it’s definitely worth buying!
  28. Nov 18, 2017
    10
    I got Sonic Mania on my PS4 first, I went on a road trip with my Switch one day. I bought Mania again on my switch the next day. THAT'S HOW GOOD IT IS!
  29. Apr 5, 2018
    10
    Sonic Mania is masterpiece! It brings back the amazing controls and level design from the originals. Sadly, there are only 4 new stages (which are amazing) I kinda wished for at least 6. Yet the old stages aren’t exactly „old”, there are improved in many ways. Easily the best 2D platformer of a year, a decade, or maybe even all time!
  30. Nov 27, 2017
    10
    Esse jogo é um espetáculo, level design incrível, trilha sonora perfeita, um presente de fan para fan, melhor jogo que joguei do sonic, obrigado aos desenvolvedores por nos presentearem com um jogo que queremos jogar.
  31. Dec 2, 2017
    10
    I never grew up with the classic sonic games but this shows me why back then sonic was so successful. This game is fun and its replay value is great. Finally, a Sonic game that is on par with some of the years greatest classic mascot games such as Mario Odyssey and Zelda Breath of the Wild.
  32. Jan 8, 2018
    10
    Best Game created by Sega, Despite the company's worst efforts with Forces, This game says "Heh, Did ya think that was bad? Well this game is not!" Perfect Game in my opinion, It's good if you have grown up with sonic or never played a sonic game before!
  33. Jan 10, 2018
    10
    Really good game gives nostalgia, and ive played tons of sonic i love the series and this game was just overall outstanding and suprising for its time
  34. Feb 6, 2021
    10
    Simplemente una gran forma de regresar con todo la de Sonic con este juego.
    Entretenido con gran diseño de niveles y variados modos de juego
    Grandioso en todos los términos de nostalgia
  35. Aug 17, 2018
    9
    Sonic mania is a love cart for this franchise. The game have the magic of mega drive era and put new things in the fromula. The levels and the soundtrack are awesome.
    My problem is the special stages.
  36. Mar 4, 2018
    9
    This was a great game for the 25th anniversary. The levels are awesome remixes of classic stages
  37. Mar 17, 2018
    10
    Sonic Mania is an awesome game. It brings back everything that the classic games had. It's mixed with old and new stages. I honestly think that they should've payed more attention on the new levels rather than the old ones. This game has been created by Pagodawest, Headcannon and Christian Whitehead who has created a fangame called Retro Sonic back in 2007. The graphics of this game areSonic Mania is an awesome game. It brings back everything that the classic games had. It's mixed with old and new stages. I honestly think that they should've payed more attention on the new levels rather than the old ones. This game has been created by Pagodawest, Headcannon and Christian Whitehead who has created a fangame called Retro Sonic back in 2007. The graphics of this game are good and are trying to resemble Knuckles Chaotix for the failed Sega 32X add-on for the Sega Genesis. Each act has it's own music and that is an awesome thing. The special stages look like Sonic R but have the Sonic CD way with the UFOs. So in my opinion Sonic Mania is one of 2017's best games Expand
  38. Feb 25, 2019
    8
    Cast: Sonic & Crew
    Story: 6/10
    Fun: 10/10
    Gameplay: 9/10

    Recommended
    ----------------------
  39. May 3, 2018
    10
    Everything with this game is awesome. After 23 years SEGA finally realised to make a old school sonic game again! 10/10
  40. May 17, 2018
    8
    As a long-time Sonic fan, i was really, really looking forward to this game.
    And i was not disappointed - finally a Sonic game that looks and feels as it should!
    Technically its perfectly executed, controls are spot-on. I only have some minor gripes with it: - i dont particularly some level sections where pacing is completely disrupted all the time - the transitions between levels
    As a long-time Sonic fan, i was really, really looking forward to this game.
    And i was not disappointed - finally a Sonic game that looks and feels as it should!
    Technically its perfectly executed, controls are spot-on.

    I only have some minor gripes with it:
    - i dont particularly some level sections where pacing is completely disrupted all the time
    - the transitions between levels make less sense as in sonic 3
    - the robot boss battles are not particularly interesting

    Aside from that, its a game i find myself returning to from time to time for yet another playthrough.
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  41. May 17, 2018
    10
    I've been waiting for this game since Sonic and Knuckles came out. It's by far the best Sonic game ever, and the sequel fans of the Mega Drive games deserved.
  42. Jun 15, 2018
    10
    Momentum you can feel.
    Sonic and friends are perfected in this game. Sonic's spin dash adds an all new dimension to this game and the player will find themselves spamming it just to see how it affects their movement and speed. Boss battles are super unique and new. These battles are not the same you remember from Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sometimes you are outrunning the boss, sometimes you
    Momentum you can feel.
    Sonic and friends are perfected in this game. Sonic's spin dash adds an all new dimension to this game and the player will find themselves spamming it just to see how it affects their movement and speed. Boss battles are super unique and new. These battles are not the same you remember from Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Sometimes you are outrunning the boss, sometimes you are trying to run up on the boss, sometimes you are launching a decoy sonic at Metal Sonic. The levels, whether new or updated, are great. The player will be surprised at every corner on how the level changes. Sonic Mania takes the best of 2D Sonic platforming, speed, and classic 90s charm, without feeling dated, and updates it to new heights.
    And of course the music is banging.
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  43. Sep 27, 2018
    8
    This game is essentially a throwback of all Classic Sonic games. From Green Hill Zone from the first Sonic game to Flying Battery Zone from Sonic & Knuckles. It has a bunch of new stages too, such as Studiopolis Zone. If you are an old-school Sonic fan, this game is for you.
  44. Nov 6, 2018
    10
    If you are sonic the hedgehog fan since the Sega Genesis you will not be disappointed. The game is very entertaining and will give you tons of hours of fun. There are old stages back and variations for old fans. Even after you finish the game you will want to keep playing it.
  45. Dec 1, 2018
    8
    i'll be honest, I don't like the genesis sonic games. they've aged poorly, and even back in the day, most of the time they punished you for going fast. this game, however, is sonic perfected. if you only play one sonic game in your life, make it this one.
  46. Apr 7, 2019
    9
    This is probably the best Sonic Game ever. For one, the gameplay itself is just fun. No crazy story- all it is is that Robotnik found a cool rock, and Sonic is like “Hey stop” and Robotnik says “Nah heck you” and then there’s a bunch of rainbow robots. Oh yeah, and Knuckles is there. That’s another positive of this game- the obvious variety in characters without any strange new ones beingThis is probably the best Sonic Game ever. For one, the gameplay itself is just fun. No crazy story- all it is is that Robotnik found a cool rock, and Sonic is like “Hey stop” and Robotnik says “Nah heck you” and then there’s a bunch of rainbow robots. Oh yeah, and Knuckles is there. That’s another positive of this game- the obvious variety in characters without any strange new ones being added. All of them go to the same levels, except for Knuckles who has a few differences in his campaign. You can play as the titular blue hedgehog, the flying fox Tails, and the superpowered enchillada Knuckles. You’re also able to play as both Sonic and Tails. They all have different abilities, mainly that their way of upwards mobility varies. Sonic can use the power up shields in different ways from the other two by pressing the “A” button in midair (for example if you use the bubble shield power up you can tap A twice to get an extra high bounce), Tails can just straight up fly, and knuckles can glide and climb up walls. I like this, because it can provide you with various levels of difficulty. Tails is the easiest to play as once you get the hang of his controls, Knuckles is slightly harder but still has some of his own areas designed around his abilities and can get up to high areas with ease, and Sonic is the most pure and simple way to play the game.

    Why did I not give this game a 10/10, then? If the characters and just playing the game itself is fun and exciting, what’s bad? Well, it’s the boss fights. Some are fun, but most are either way too easy or way too frustrating in comparison to the levels you fight them in. For example, you can defeat the Green Hill act 2 boss just by going under its body and by its legs and rapidly hitting it. But then there’s the fight in the first level lifted from Sonic CD, where most players were so confused by it that later on they changed it so you could defeat the 1st phase of it in under 2 minutes.

    All in all this game is wonderful. It is an absolute delight to play and is fun for fans of the series both new and old. It’s just that a few things are flawed. I entirely recommend this game to anyone who’s looking for a game that’s challenging yet still fun to complete in full.
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  47. Mar 31, 2019
    10
    Best classic game ever. You should buy it because it has awesome music and level design.
  48. May 17, 2019
    10
    This is a pretty gud Sonic Game. I haven't finished is yet but itz all gud.
  49. Jun 19, 2020
    10
    It is an improvement from Sonic 3 & Knuckles in every aspect: graphics, music, playability and fun.
  50. Jul 31, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoiler this game is fun!!! I love every single boss and it was my game of the year favorite sonic game and the final boss was fun. Debug returns and I am just so happy thank u fans who bought this glory back to my gave blue hero cant wait to see more from u guys Expand
  51. Nov 14, 2019
    10
    After 20 years of games ranging from mediocre to downright bad, a bunch of Sonic fans that made their own fangames decided "Hey, we're not gonna take this anymore" and just made a classic Sonic game. I love this game, I bought the collector's edition and had an absolute blast playing it. Everything about Sonic Mania is a celebration of how great the old Genesis games were, reflected inAfter 20 years of games ranging from mediocre to downright bad, a bunch of Sonic fans that made their own fangames decided "Hey, we're not gonna take this anymore" and just made a classic Sonic game. I love this game, I bought the collector's edition and had an absolute blast playing it. Everything about Sonic Mania is a celebration of how great the old Genesis games were, reflected in it's incredible soundtrack and excellent visuals. Now that all the critics have given it almost universal acclaim, I can safely say that everyone involved in the game's production deserves an award. Expand
  52. Jan 21, 2020
    10
    Sonic Mania is the best Sonic game I ever played. The game has genius level design with clever platforming and multiple branching paths like the Sonic games of old. Going fast feels really good and rewarding. The soundtrack is fantastic and the few cutscenes in the game look gorgeous. Each zone is made up of 2 two acts: One that tries recreate the level the act is based on (Original actsSonic Mania is the best Sonic game I ever played. The game has genius level design with clever platforming and multiple branching paths like the Sonic games of old. Going fast feels really good and rewarding. The soundtrack is fantastic and the few cutscenes in the game look gorgeous. Each zone is made up of 2 two acts: One that tries recreate the level the act is based on (Original acts in original zones), and one that is completely original. In total Sonic Mania is the best Sonic game I ever played, and I give it my verdict of 10/10. Expand
  53. Feb 16, 2020
    10
    A classic must have in anyone's collection. Anyone who has played sonic 1 through 3 and cd... Will see some of the zOnes returning and the encore dlc returning characters of mighty and ray...its really good.
  54. Jun 19, 2022
    9
    I only played the first advance game before this one. From my perspective, it's an extremely fun and nostalgic platformer. Going fast, even if it has been done a thousand times before, is really addicting.
  55. Mar 24, 2020
    8
    Most can agree that the Sonic series has been through its ups and downs. Sonic Mania goes back to the 2D Formula of games, specifically from Sonic 1, 2, CD, 3 & Knuckles. The platforming and speed of Sonic Mania is fantastic and is a love letter to the Sonic fans, but that should not shy away newcomers as this game is welcoming to all. The return of fan-favorite stages brings so much joyMost can agree that the Sonic series has been through its ups and downs. Sonic Mania goes back to the 2D Formula of games, specifically from Sonic 1, 2, CD, 3 & Knuckles. The platforming and speed of Sonic Mania is fantastic and is a love letter to the Sonic fans, but that should not shy away newcomers as this game is welcoming to all. The return of fan-favorite stages brings so much joy to me, but there are quite a couple of questionable stages chosen to return such as Lava Reef Zone & Oil Ocean. The game is also provided with amazing remixes and an overall memorable OST by Tee Lopes. The new stages in the game do not disappoint and are the highlight of the game, however, there's only four of them leaving much to be desired. Overall, Sonic Mania is a great game and a great return to what made Sonic great in the first place. Expand
  56. Jul 6, 2020
    8
    Sonic Mania is the best Sonic game I have yet to play - it has many pitfalls and occassional poor level design, but is an overall solid experience. For the most part, the level design is great and running at top speeds as Sonic feels incredible. Although I didn't personally enjoy it, I understand why this is such a great game.

    Final Verdict: 8 (Great)
  57. May 5, 2020
    9
    This game is easily the best 2d switch platformer (in my opinion). The only issue I have is that the game doesn't have the hyper sonic form if the game had that'd be so much better. One thing I like about the game is how much creativity and passion is put into the game it definitely shows that the fans were making the game.
  58. May 8, 2021
    8
    Awesome! Visuals, soundtrack and controls are amazing! I would give it a nine/ ten but this game's final boss is really bad which I was really disappointed on because every other Sonic final boss (like Adventure 1 and 2 and 2D Sonic games) were amazing! But beside from that I liked it!
  59. Jul 9, 2020
    10
    An actual masterpiece. The Mania team did very nice and I hope Sega brings them back to make another game. 10 out of 10 Bloominators. Would Sonic Mania again.
  60. Sep 6, 2020
    10
    For the longest time, i could never decide which was my favorite Sonic game: Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Now, that question is just a bit of a moot point. My favorite is easily Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania is the true Sonic 4, I believe many fans would agree. The gameplay takes everything that was exceptional about the original games in the series and builds upon it. The levels are a joy toFor the longest time, i could never decide which was my favorite Sonic game: Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Now, that question is just a bit of a moot point. My favorite is easily Sonic Mania. Sonic Mania is the true Sonic 4, I believe many fans would agree. The gameplay takes everything that was exceptional about the original games in the series and builds upon it. The levels are a joy to play: a mix of both nostalgic familiarity and enough of a breath of fresh air that veterans and newcomers aiike can enjoy this exceptional game design. The art style is exceptional, and the music incredible. For me personally, the mini game selection is my least favorite style of the old Sonic games, and I don't particularly enjoy those special stages (so much that I just avoided the Chaos emeralds together ... yes, I know, I know that's not truly completing the game and I'm missing out on Super Sonic yada yada yada). And you'd be right about that. I do miss playing as Super Sonic just because I dislike the minigames so much, but nevertheless, I am still able to play the game as I like and still have a fulfilling experience. Its also great to see Knuckles and Tails return to form, too! Expand
  61. Sep 8, 2021
    10
    I would have given this a 9 two months ago, but I love literally everything about this game.
  62. Nov 25, 2020
    9
    A fun game very reminicent of the fantastic classic games. The bosses are fun and interesting, and the stages are well-designed and challenging.
  63. Dec 18, 2020
    8
    Sonic Mania should be praised not only for how awesome this game is but the context this project came out to existence. Sonic Mania is a product of love, a collaboration of long time sonic fans and SEGA.
  64. Jan 21, 2021
    9
    i got this game when it came fresh out! and i made the best descion of my life this game is likely one of the best sonic games ever the last good sonic gamed i played was sonic 3 but this game has everything im looking for it feels fast and the special stages actually feel fun! this is likely the bust sonic game yet anybody should buy this game
  65. Jan 28, 2021
    8
    As a result of the fans’ fundamental understanding of level design, this is the only good sonic game in existence
  66. Feb 3, 2021
    8
    Pretty good to be honest. Maybe not mind-blowing, but I can actually think of very little negative to say about this game. I think the game's appeal lies in not being more good, but in being less bad, which is fine. This is probably the most consistent Sonic game to date. Recommended.
  67. Feb 10, 2021
    10
    Sonic Mania is a collection of everything good about Sonic. It has a charming fluidity that keeps you moving throughout gigantic, multi-faceted levels that hit you back to back with new fun mechanics along the way.

    The score and art are amazing, but even moreso is the level design. The creative thought behind every decision makes for a title for the ages, and one every platformer should
    Sonic Mania is a collection of everything good about Sonic. It has a charming fluidity that keeps you moving throughout gigantic, multi-faceted levels that hit you back to back with new fun mechanics along the way.

    The score and art are amazing, but even moreso is the level design. The creative thought behind every decision makes for a title for the ages, and one every platformer should aspire to be. The only issue is the difficulty spikes of the last levels, but a player seasoned by the game's ramping progression shouldn't have much trouble. 10/10.
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  68. Jan 25, 2023
    9
    Very similar to the original Sonic games on the SEGA consoles except it's not painstakingly, unbelievably punishing. And it saves your progress after each level. I do think some of the newer ideas are a slight step down from stuff copied from the originals. But overall, a super fun game!
  69. Jun 3, 2021
    9
    An amazing tribute and innovation to the series and one of the best platformers of all time.
  70. Jun 20, 2021
    8
    I finished this game in 2021. It was an amazing adventure. I highly recommend it.
  71. Jun 23, 2021
    10
    sonic is a iend of the family in our family lol my son loves him and this game soo much we had birthdays and costume parties and all over this original game that wer love so much in our home if u dont have in your home or on your device i would say what are u waiting for
  72. Jun 29, 2023
    8
    The game is beautiful and is very polished! Although there is EXCESSIVE level recycle from other games and the levels sometimes connect in a weird way that can make the pase kinda weird but overall pretty fun!
  73. Aug 2, 2021
    9
    Uno de los mejores plataformas de los últimos tiempos. Si tiras de nostalgia, es un juego de 10, si no, sigue siendo súper recomendable. He disfrutado cada minuto con él y lo he rejugado sintiendo la misma emoción.
  74. Jan 2, 2023
    8
    Nostalgia done right!
    Sonic 2 might be the one game I've played more than any other throughout my life. While this game won't replace Sonic 2, I'm definitely going to keep coming back to it over and over again.
  75. Sep 13, 2021
    10
    The best Sonic game since Sonic Generations! It deserves all of the praise it gets and is proof that passion can go a long way. I'm still in awe that a new Classic Sonic game exists in the modern day. Well done Whitehead and the team and kudos to Sega for working with them to bring this masterpiece to the light!
  76. Sep 15, 2022
    10
    RATING: 100%

    Proof that fans put way more work into games than Sonic Team themselves does.
  77. Sep 16, 2021
    10
    I really like sonic mania to start off it has a simple but good story. I also really like the stages as they really have a variation in the stile which gives it a fresh feel. Most of all it is fun to play as it really is like the old 2D classic Sonic game that you can't go wrong with.
  78. Nov 13, 2021
    9
    Moderno e retrô juntos em um mesmo jogo. Para quem curtiu Sonic um dia é imperdível.
  79. Dec 30, 2021
    9
    Sonic Mania is a rock, solid 2D return to form for the blue blur. SEGA did what Nintendon't by hiring talented developers from the Sonic community. And man did it pay off. This game is clearly a passion project by the fans, for the fans.

    The game has 12 zones in total. 8 zones are from prior 2D sonic games. Act 1 shares quite a bit of level design and the spectacle from the original
    Sonic Mania is a rock, solid 2D return to form for the blue blur. SEGA did what Nintendon't by hiring talented developers from the Sonic community. And man did it pay off. This game is clearly a passion project by the fans, for the fans.

    The game has 12 zones in total. 8 zones are from prior 2D sonic games. Act 1 shares quite a bit of level design and the spectacle from the original stages. The level design is immaculate and is solely focused on speed, reflexes and platforming which is what 2D Sonic is all about. Act 2 of these 8 zones have new gimmicks and set pieces that makes these old locales feel fresh again. For example, Chemical Plant Act 2 has you manipulating the zone's iconic pink liquid to make it fling you up in the air or just making it easier to traverse. The game has brilliant call backs to previous pieces of Sonic The Hedgehog media.

    The game also have 4 new stages. Some of these stages stand toe to toe with the stages from the 2D Sonic games. Studiopolis, Mirage Salon and Press Garden in particular. It's simply incredible. It has sublime music that harkens back to old games. That goes for the game's entire soundtrack. Unlike Sonic 4, the musicians focus on capturing the essence of 16-bit music through modern lens rather than trying to blindly mimic 16-bit music.

    And man, this soundtrack's good! The game's graphics are great as well. The game carefully refines and enhances the graphics of the 16-bit games. This game clearly can not be pulled off on a Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. Feels like the lost Sega Saturn game that we never got.

    That describes the game as a whole. The lost sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
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  80. Apr 12, 2022
    8
    The game is good the graphics too but the fact that you can cheese some of the game with tails just removes some of the challenge from it . I still recommend it though
  81. Apr 20, 2022
    9
    Cool game, good controls, soundtrack, leve design, everything here is really well done
    I will give 10 if the game just have only new themes, lets be honest
    Studiopolis and Press Garden are the best themes of the 2D Sonic history
  82. May 31, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. is a good game the history is entertaining phantom ruby and the heavy king are awesome the extras feel awesome like and knuckles or debug makes the game better and that knuckles have different levels and history is awesome they are some games that dont feel complete but this one does feel complete

    pd: this is my opinion not yours
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  83. Jun 23, 2022
    9
    This is a perfect revival to the classic sonic games amazing and worth the play, at a very low price and is worth every penny in my eyes it is great and is one of the best sonic games ever seen in my eyes and believe me I have played a lot of sonic games so take my word.
  84. Jun 26, 2022
    8
    GREAT return to formula, this is easily a top 10 Sonic game, deserves all praise and respect it gets
  85. Jun 30, 2023
    9
    Sonic Mania is a blast from the past for all longtime Sonic Fans! This game contains retiring zones as well as new ones. Classic graphics, great music and is a treat for anyone playing!
  86. Jul 19, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Прекрасная игра, мне очень понравилось! В игре есть очень много боссов, отсылающих на серию классических игр. Expand
  87. Jul 21, 2022
    10
    Я,истинный фанат Соника.И когда эта игра вышла,Я приятно удивился,что Сега вернула классического Соника.Пройдя этот шедевр,Я с уверенностью могу сказать,что игра взяла с каждого классик Соника по чуть-чуть,смешала все и получился шедевр гейм-дева.Рекомендую пройти,или ознакомиться с этой игрой.Я,истинный фанат Соника.И когда эта игра вышла,Я приятно удивился,что Сега вернула классического Соника.Пройдя этот шедевр,Я с уверенностью могу сказать,что игра взяла с каждого классик Соника по чуть-чуть,смешала все и получился шедевр гейм-дева.Рекомендую пройти,или ознакомиться с этой игрой.
  88. Aug 15, 2022
    10
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  89. Oct 21, 2022
    10
    Sonic Mania is just almost perfection. The levels are remixed and are just so much fun to play even after many playthrough, the pixel art looks beautiful, the soundtrack is phenomenal, the special stages are playable and at the same time, there's a Knuckles & Knuckles mode, it's just awesome. The only possible this game be topped if there's a sequel to this game with completely new zones.
  90. Nov 15, 2022
    10
    It's a pretty difficult game, but very fun and well managed after all. I loved it!
  91. Nov 17, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. super fun game! the boss fights are cool, the gameplay are fast and fun, and it has tiny sonic!!! Expand
  92. Nov 21, 2022
    10
    Easily the best 2D sonic game. The pixel art and animations are amazing, it has some of the best level design in the franchise, the music is stellar (of course), the special stages are the best in the series, and the drop dash has easily become my new favourite sonic move. My only "issue" that i have with the game, are that most of the levels are reused from past games (I hate oil ocean),Easily the best 2D sonic game. The pixel art and animations are amazing, it has some of the best level design in the franchise, the music is stellar (of course), the special stages are the best in the series, and the drop dash has easily become my new favourite sonic move. My only "issue" that i have with the game, are that most of the levels are reused from past games (I hate oil ocean), but it really doesn't bother me at all. This game is fantastic, and a must play for everyone. Period Expand
  93. Jan 31, 2023
    10
    Straight-up great, if not perfect. Introduces the Drop Dash, one of my favourite 2D Sonic mechanics. The game is so charming and great, the fact that this is a pixelated game probably amazed me when I first played it. Simple 10/10, nothing less.
  94. Feb 3, 2023
    8
    This is a collection of classic levels from old Sonic. And they pass it off as a new game. The collection, so to speak, is normal. But the optimization is bad. When playing on an Intel Pentium, the game hangs. Although, for example, starting CSGO (who doesn't know it's a 3D game) and the game produces 40 fps. 40 fps in a 3D game. And 50 fps in a 2D game. Ideally
  95. Apr 13, 2023
    8
    I think the game is great but could do with some more original levels but god do I love the drop dash
  96. Jun 29, 2023
    9
    I had the biggest, dumbest grin on my face from the start of the game to the end of it, with some minor roadbumps in there for some minorly annoying enemy placement and slightly confusing level design that is just common in 2D Sonic games. As someone who would put 2 of the 4 classic sonic games in his top 20 favorite games of all time, this was a complete treat.
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Oct 6, 2017
    93
    After nearly 20 years of almost universally horrible games, the 16-bit icon has returned to his former glory and redeemed himself in the eyes of this long-suffering fan. Sonic Mania does a great job of reminding us what made Sonic great in the first place, while also FINALLY bringing the mascot into the modern era. Everything comes together - the music, the stages, the boss fights and the secrets - to form a package that is both appealing to the retro gamer and irresistible to anyone who enjoys a good game of run and jump. Whether on the Nintendo Switch or any other system, Sonic Mania needs to be in your collection yesterday.
  2. Sep 18, 2017
    74
    Sonic Mania is like a greatest hits album that your favourite artist may release, with a few new tracks as a bonus. It has a high level of nostalgia, gloss and polish and will really challenge your skill, reflexes and patience. There's quite a bit to get stuck into, but you may find yourself being frustrated. If you love the little blue chap and relish a challenge, speed along to the e-shop and pick this up.
  3. Edge Magazine
    Sep 14, 2017
    70
    This convincing comeback has been designed for the die-hards - and they haven't been this well served by a Sonic game for ages. [Issue#311, p.118]