Sonic Mania

 Xbox One
Sonic Mania Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 182 Ratings

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  • Summary: Experience the ultimate celebration of past and future in Sonic Mania, an all-new 2D Sonic adventure running at a crisp 60FPS with stunning HD retro-style graphics. Multiple playable characters give you the ability to go explosively fast as Sonic, soar as Tails, or power through toughExperience the ultimate celebration of past and future in Sonic Mania, an all-new 2D Sonic adventure running at a crisp 60FPS with stunning HD retro-style graphics. Multiple playable characters give you the ability to go explosively fast as Sonic, soar as Tails, or power through tough obstacles with Knuckles’ brute strength. You can re-live the Sonic of the past with an exciting new twist on classic zones while fighting against new bosses and Dr. Eggman’s evil robot army. Go head to-head with players in Competition Mode or play in Co-Op Mode with a friend.… Expand
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Sonic Mania - Official Pre-Order Release Date Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. XboxAddict
    Aug 16, 2017
    93
    Sonic Mania is what fans of the blue hedgehog have been wanting for years, as it is a return to what made Sonic who and what he is with lighting fast 2D side scrolling action and some new levels to blast through. With some bragging rights on the line, SEGA has thrown into the mix the Time Attack and Competitive modes which will add some replay value for some of the serious Sonic players out there. Sonic Mania is great for the fans and if you never played a Sonic game before, this is definitely a great place to start.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    Aug 16, 2017
    90
    Everyone will find something to love about the hedgehog’s latest outing.
  3. GameSpew
    Aug 14, 2017
    90
    A Sonic fan couldn’t really ask for more than what’s been delivered by Sonic Mania. It’s got the gratifying Sonic physics, responsive controls, thrilling speed, open levels and brilliant bosses. It truly is a return to form for our favourite speedy blue hedgehog, which is ironic considering that it’s not made by Sonic Team.
  4. TheXboxHub
    Aug 29, 2017
    90
    This is how you do a Sonic game.
  5. Game Informer
    Aug 14, 2017
    85
    A return to the series' roots in every sense, Sonic Mania is a joyful reminder why the franchise became such a hit in the first place. Though it's content with reliving past glories, it does so exceptionally well. Exciting level design, a stellar soundtrack, and cool expansions on the original formula work in one accord to deliver the Sonic game fans have been waiting for.
  6. ZTGD
    Aug 18, 2017
    80
    Sonic Mania is the Sonic game fans have been wanting. It hits all the notes (and problems) the originals had. But it is also why the series has remained relevant for so long. It delivers speed, fun, and chaos (no pun intended) all in one package. It also finally removes the stigma that all Sonic games are terrible. Let’s hope Forces is as well polished and enjoyable as Mania is.
  7. Polygon
    Aug 14, 2017
    70
    As a synthesis and expression of a specific era of Sonic, Sonic Mania is devout toward its inspiration, for devout fans of Sega's beleaguered mascot. If more of what Sonic is what you want, then this is very much that, but more, and bigger, and faster. But for me, as someone with fond memories but key criticisms, Sonic Mania seems content to paint over some of the series' problems rather than fix them, making for a game that falls a little short of what might have been.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. GenXY
    Aug 17, 2017
    10
    This may end up being the best Sonic game ever created. I can really tell the care and effort put into this project, Sega did the right thingThis may end up being the best Sonic game ever created. I can really tell the care and effort put into this project, Sega did the right thing here....well done! Hopefully Sonic Forces will continue the path of keeping the franchise going in a positive direction! 2017 truly seems to be the year of the classic gaming icon, between this, Zelda, Crash, and the upcoming Mario Odyssey. Thumbs up!… Expand
  2. Reinbou23
    Sep 7, 2020
    10
    Very good game and just perfect for the 25th Anniversary of the World´s Favourite Hedgehog only weakes in the level selection that depends ofVery good game and just perfect for the 25th Anniversary of the World´s Favourite Hedgehog only weakes in the level selection that depends of the Genesis Olds and Seems like a Sonic Generations but in 2D 16 BIt Graphics… Expand
  4. AllToasters
    Nov 19, 2017
    10
    Sonic Mania does Sonic's 25th anniversary justice! If only more games were made like this - gorgeous pixels, great and enjoyable levelSonic Mania does Sonic's 25th anniversary justice! If only more games were made like this - gorgeous pixels, great and enjoyable level designs, no sleazy-dressed characters (ahem, Rouge), and glitch-free! Old school Sonic done right!… Expand
  5. Seta
    Nov 11, 2017
    9
    it's fun however Sonic 3&Knuckles was better in my opinion. i'm kind of bias because Knuckles is my favorite character and they made it so heit's fun however Sonic 3&Knuckles was better in my opinion. i'm kind of bias because Knuckles is my favorite character and they made it so he just wasn't as fun to play in my opinion.… Expand
  6. tom974
    Jan 13, 2020
    9
    Assuming you've known the Megadrive Sonic opuses, this is the very best 2D one since that golden era of 2D platformer. If you swear only byAssuming you've known the Megadrive Sonic opuses, this is the very best 2D one since that golden era of 2D platformer. If you swear only by modern 4K 3D graphics, you should look elsewhere though.
    Great work of the developping team here, playing it I had the feeling to play on a Megadrive once again.    … Expand
  7. ZXSth
    Apr 2, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sonic Mania is such an authentic, beautiful and nostalgic trip through the life and times of Sonic the Hedgehog. This is absolutely a game that is on par with its predecessors, and is a great time. And while it is not enough to be a pretty-looking game that emulates its ancestors a little too closely, I had the biggest grin on my face the whole time I was playing this.

    The design team who made this game made some solid design choices. The special stages are fun, fast-paces and serve as a fresh take on an old concept. Likewise, the blue sphere game is not a mandatory part of the game, allowing those who are annoyed by it (like myself) to skip it entirely. Furthermore, the new drop dash is a fantastic and ingenious mechanic that speeds up a fast game even more. All these new toys to play with, combined with excellent level design that combine just the right amounts of both speed and platforming, make for what might be the best two-dimensional Sonic game ever.

    That being said, this game doesn't do enough to differentiate itself from the other games in the franchise. While not changing what works too much is probably a good thing, the complexity of this game leaves something to be desired in my mind. Whereas Sonic 3 and Knuckles offered more levels and the super emeralds, Sonic Mania offers merely some new mechanics and a few new levels. The fact that half the levels in this game are merely re-imaginings of ones that came before seem to indicate that Sonic's legacy is more important than whether or not he does anything new at all. While there has been extreme backlash in the past to Sonic doing anything besides running really fast on a 2D plane, such positive critical responses to a game that does so many things exactly the way its older brothers did feels cheap. Make no mistake - this is a great Sonic game. But it is short by today's standards, and would have been revolutionary in 1996, whereas in the present day, it is a game that is more reliant on its legacy than anything else. If this were not a Sonic game, I doubt it would have had half the success and praise it's gotten.

    Regardless of its status as a Sonic game, however, this game's music is out of this world. As a rule, Sonic games have excellent soundtracks, and Sonic Mania is no exception - standouts include Studiopolis Act 1, the outstanding remix of Stardust Speedway (used for that level's first act in this game), Press Garden Act 2 and the theme of the true final boss. Tee Lopes, the composer for this game, did a bang-up job, and is comparable to Jun Senoue himself in terms of his ability to craft an amazing Sonic soundtrack.

    Overall, despite this game's reliance on the series' legacy as a whole, this is a fantastic game that has undeniably had so much love put into it. In the future, I am hoping more is done to innovate the series in a positive way, and bring 2D Sonic into the modern age.    … Expand
  8. edgerunner1
    Oct 31, 2018
    3
    The game runs smooth but the image looks like 16 bit aliased characters. Don't believe the reviews that speak glowingly about the beauty ofThe game runs smooth but the image looks like 16 bit aliased characters. Don't believe the reviews that speak glowingly about the beauty of the game. On current televisions and consoles, this game is completely unacceptable. I am sorry that I wasted my money on it. Should have given it a 1 but thought I might find something in the gameplay further in.
    If graphics are important to you, then look elsewhere for a good game. For Information, I am playing the game on Xbox one x and a 2018 model 4k sony television    … Expand

See all 25 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
51
#51 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

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