Sonic Mania Is A New Game Straight From The Sega Genesis Era

It's hard to remember the last decent Sonic the Hedgehog game — most would agree Sega's once iconic series took a drastic turn downhill following the Sonic Adventure titles on the Dreamcast. With each disappointing games' release in the years that followed, all fans asked for was a Sonic title that played like the originals from the early '90s: 2D graphics and fast gameplay. It may have taken them over 15 years, but it looks like Sega has finally gotten the point.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sonic series, Sega has just announced Sonic Mania, a new game that follows-up right where Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles left off on the Genesis (Mega Drive for those in Europe or Japan) all those years ago. Just look at the debut trailer:

With gorgeous pixelated graphics, bright colors, and not hint of 3D, Sonic Mania is a throw back to when all Sonic did was jump, collect gold rings, and run really fast. An even better sign that the game will be true to the classics is that it's being made in collaboration with Christian Whitehead, a developer whose homemade ports of the original Sonics were so good that even Sega took notice.

Sonic Mania will feature three playable characters (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles), a new move called the "drop dash," new level designs, plus reimagined versions of some of the most memorable Zones from Sonic 1, 2, 3, and CD.

The game is scheduled for a "spring 2017" digital release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

SOURCE Sega