Sonic Mania Plus
2018
- platform
- action
- fantasy
- single player
- co-operative
- split screen
The story
Sonic Mania Plus is an updated version of Sonic Mania that includes the Encore DLC. Digital versions of Sonic Mania on all platforms can be upgraded to Sonic Mania Plus by purchasing the Encore DLC separately. Plus is also available as a physical release and marks the first time any version of Sonic Mania was available on physical media. Released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Switch, in addition to including the complete version of Sonic Mania Plus on a disc/cartridge it also comes packaged with a reversible cover with alternate box art, an art book and a holographic outer sleeve.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated pixel art with sprite work that leans into 1990s Sega splendour: loop-de-loop stages rendered in candy-coloured neon, lush jungles, glowing casino signs and industrial metal zones, all animated with a springy, exuberant bounce. The soundtrack is the centrepiece, a set of chiptune and synth-driven tracks that sound like a lost Genesis album, rushing and brassy one moment and dreamily wistful the next. The rhythm is fast and kinetic, built around momentum: you roll, spin and chain through levels in short, joyful bursts, with brief dips into puzzle-like exploration and the occasional boss fight. The vibe is nostalgic, playful and upbeat, a sugar-rush of retro energy rather than dread. Violence is cartoonish; enemies burst into harmless animal-like puffs, and there is no gore, sexual content or real cruelty. It suits an evening of arcade-style play, a comfort replay, or a shared couch session, and is especially rewarding for players who love classic side-scrolling platformers and the sound of 16-bit-era music.
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