I played this game all the way through 100% blind, and I can tell you that this is everything I hoped for from a new "classic" Sonic game.

If you're one of those people who believe that Sonic 1, 2, and 3&K were some of the best Sonic games to be made, you won't be disappointed with Sonic Mania. It was made by the same guy who made the mobile ports for Sonic 1, 2, and CD. (Christian Whitehead) And the music was made by someone known for classic Sonic remixes. (Tee Lopes) Along with a professional artist / animator who worked on the Archie comics (Tyson Hesse) making some of the cutscenes to match Sonic CD's art style (press nothing on the title screen and you get a little animation), it seems everyone working on Sonic Mania did their jobs perfectly.

Sonic Mania brings back 1 zone from Sonic 1, 2 from Sonic 2, 3 from Sonic 3, and even brings in 4 original zones! It even introduces a new ability. Sonic 2 gave us the spindash, Sonic 3 gave us the insta-shield, Sonic CD gave us the peel-out, and Sonic Mania introduces the drop-dash. Jump in the air, then let go of jump and hold it again to use it. It really feels in line with the other abilities introduced in classic Sonic games, and the drop-dash is implimented just as well as 2's spindash and 3's insta-shield. You can even unlock the ability to use the insta-shield and peel-out in no save mode!

If you're as much of a nut for the old Sonic games as I am, you'll find yourself picking up on a number of amazing references. And even when something isn't taken from the original games, it fits in so well. If you've never played the classics, you could be tricked into thinking Studiopolis was a returning zone!

And if you love browsing The Cutting Room Floor as much as I do, you'll find many unused concepts returning. Anyone remember Splats the Bunny? What about those goggles in Sonic 1's files? Are you disappointed nobody made a "real" Dust Hill Zone? This game's probably for you, then.

I could sit here and spoil the entire game with how many little secrets and how much attention to detail they put in, but I won't. Instead, I'll ask you play it yourself and experience it firsthand. And if you record it for YouTube or something, please send it to me! I'd totally watch it!

[h1]Sonic Mania is like if they made a 4th classic Sonic game![/h1] I played this game all the way through 100% blind, and I can tell you that this is everything I hoped for from a new "classic" Sonic game. If you're one of those people who believe that Sonic 1, 2, and 3&K were some of the best Sonic games to be made, you won't be disappointed with Sonic Mania. It was made by the same guy who made the mobile ports for Sonic 1, 2, and CD. (Christian Whitehead) And the music was made by someone known for classic Sonic remixes. (Tee Lopes) Along with a professional artist / animator who worked on the Archie comics (Tyson Hesse) making some of the cutscenes to match Sonic CD's art style (press nothing on the title screen and you get a little animation), it seems everyone working on Sonic Mania did their jobs perfectly. Sonic Mania brings back 1 zone from Sonic 1, 2 from Sonic 2, 3 from Sonic 3, and even brings in 4 original zones! It even introduces a new ability. Sonic 2 gave us the spindash, Sonic 3 gave us the insta-shield, Sonic CD gave us the peel-out, and Sonic Mania introduces the drop-dash. Jump in the air, then let go of jump and hold it again to use it. It really feels in line with the other abilities introduced in classic Sonic games, and the drop-dash is implimented just as well as 2's spindash and 3's insta-shield. You can even unlock the ability to use the insta-shield and peel-out in no save mode! If you're as much of a nut for the old Sonic games as I am, you'll find yourself picking up on a number of amazing references. And even when something isn't taken from the original games, it fits in so well. If you've never played the classics, you could be tricked into thinking Studiopolis was a returning zone! And if you love browsing The Cutting Room Floor as much as I do, you'll find many unused concepts returning. Anyone remember Splats the Bunny? What about those goggles in Sonic 1's files? Are you disappointed nobody made a "real" Dust Hill Zone? This game's probably for you, then. I could sit here and spoil the entire game with how many little secrets and how much attention to detail they put in, but I won't. Instead, I'll ask you play it yourself and experience it firsthand. And if you record it for YouTube or something, please send it to me! I'd totally watch it!