Sonic Origins saw the return of Sonic 1,2, 3 and CD last month, but the modern generation 2D standout is still admittedly Sonic Mania. It was a revival of the classic side-scrolling Sonic series and ended up being an absolute hit thanks to Christian "The Taxman" Whitehead, Headcannon and a number of other talented parties.
Speaking to Game Informer recently about all things Sonic, Sega America's chief brand & business officer Ivo Gerscovich acknowledged how this particular entry left a huge impact - paving the way for Sonic's future. Here's exactly what he had to say, revealing just how "special" it was for the team - labelling it one of the defining moments in the blue blur's history:
“We started talking with Christian Whitehead, and I’ll never forget, there was a meeting with Iizuka-san, and Christian flew in from Australia. The team was pitching the idea, and they were going back and forth, and Iizuka-san was a little bit silent. And he stepped out for a few minutes, and then he came back, and he said, ‘Why don’t we do this?’ and he basically had the idea of combining all these different games and calling it ‘Mania.’ And everyone’s jaw dropped in that moment, and we realized that we had something potentially magical.
"When we started seeing the early builds of the game, you could already sense that there was something very special. It’s one of the defining moments, and the team takes a lot of pride because that immediately brought the core back, and it brought a lot of new fans.”
The original Sonic Mania was eventually followed by a 'Plus' DLC update - adding in Mighty the Armadillo, Ray the Flying Squirrel and some new modes. We loved it ourselves, awarding it an excellent 9 out of 10 stars, and would highly recommend the game if you haven't already played it.
How would you rate Sonic Mania? Would you consider it one of the defining moments in the history of Sonic? How does it compare to previous 2D entries for yourself? Leave a comment down below.
[source gameinformer.com, via gonintendo.com]
Comments 46
You know he works for SoA, not SoJ, because SoJ can't praise anything that doesn't come from Japan.
So… where is Sonic Mania 2? The first game had some well-designed 2D-levels. I would even go so far and say it had some of the best levels in any Sonic game. I really do not understand SEGA's mindset sometimes… or always. They have a good concept right there. A team of young creators that is creative and has passion for the IP. Why not try to make it one of your main pillars?
@RareFan SoJ resents anything successful that they don't produce.
I don’t want to read Sega’s self-congratulatory comments about Sonic Mania when they won’t fund a sequel and screwed up the development of Origins..
I just wish they could make other Sonic games as polished as Mania. With Whitehead, Taxman and the rest, they could easily replicate Mania's success if you give them time. Origins is great, but it should have been more, it should have been an easy homerun with Knuckles in Sonic CD, character sprite select for a consistant experience in all the games, Amy playable, good new music for Sonic 3, etc.
Why do people want a sequel of Mania? The best stages to rip from are already in the first one, if a sequel is developed using original levels only then you might as well call it Sonic 5.
Sonic Mania Advance would be dope, though.
It was so defining Fans did what Segain't.
They should take note from Capcom release all the old games in collections. Like Sonic Advance or Adventure collections with artwork, music, bios.
Sega has gone for the 2D Sonic nostalgia well so many times at this point, I just don’t want another Mania. Maybe 10 years down the line. What I would like to see is another Classic Sonic game besides Mania that isn’t absolute garbage (see 4, the terrible handling of Origins, Sonic Forces’ Classic Sonic moving like molasses and having the nerve to throw in an auto scroll level in a Sonic game). An Advance or Rush-style reimagining doesn’t sound terrible, but there would have to be a lot of work put in to make those levels stand out, because as some fun as sone of them can be, they do have the tendency to blend together in my mind.
It was a defining game because it showed that they still can make sonic games that are well liked by most people
It defined how much better fans are at making a Sonic game then Sonic Team.
When we do get a sequel, can we get Sally and Bunnie as playable characters? Bunnie can have a hover and have her blaster arm while Sally could double jump and do wall kicks.
...
Okay, fine, I guess Amy can come too this time. If you all /insist/. >.>
@Maulbert I honestly believe this is part of it. With how well that game reviewed and sold, I find it absurd that they didn't fast track a sequel. This wouldn't be the first time a Japanese game company did something petty like this, and I think it's hard to believe that their leadership is so out of touch that they legitimately don't think a sequel would be worth the development resources it would cost them.
Playing it now on PC. Fans have turned what is already an excellent game into an even better game with some of the best mods I have ever seen. One in particular that stands out to me is the one that gives the game Sega Saturn graphics and sound effects, seriously it's like I'm playing a whole new game here. Another mod I found recently were 5 Super forms and admittedly while they're really well made they're just massively OP, you don't even need the Chaos Emeralds along with 50 rings to transform. Great fan creations for sure but I prefer to play the game normally.
Sigh if only we could get a sequel.
"Can we have a sequel now?" How about Sega revisit at least a few of their OTHER classic IPs before anyone starts asking for more Sonic games to go along with what's literally just been released (Origins), or is coming soon (Frontiers)? It's really, REALLY hard not to hate Sonic when many of my favorite Sega franchises haven't seen a release in more than 2 decades even as Sonic fans enjoying a comparative embarrassment of riches act like some kid who's just finished opening 30 presents at Christmas only to look around and cry, "Is that ALL!!?".
Honestly I've tried several times and I just cannot get into Mania. I just find its physics wonky.
Well Sega had three things to work with in terms of Sonic. One being a good 3D Sonic game, the second is a good 2D Sonic game, and the third is a good spinoff Sonic game. For a good 3D Sonic game Sega needs to evolve Sonic and make a new game engine that would utilize Sonic's gameplay mechanics more efficiently, for a good 2D Sonic game just take any fan made one and call it their own, throw money at them to shut them up. As for a good spinoff Sonic game, they could be good or lame doesn't really matter, just make one as filler so fanboys don't feel sad waiting for the main ones. A racer, a pinball game, a puzzler, an RPG, a tactic game, a fighting game, even a party game would work just fine. If all else failed just remake and remaster any or all the SMS, Game Gear, Dreamcast, GBA, and DS Sonic games in-between any of those three.
SEGA rely far too much on ip to do the talking instead of the game these days. The super scaling arcades were some of the most thrilling gaming in the hostory of the hobby and it's been bloody years since they reached those heights. Bah.
My biggest disappointment with Origins is that the mobile Taxman editions weren’t just great remasters in a new engine, they also took the time to add new things to the games that made them feel new. CD added Tails, Sonic 1 added Knuckles and Sonic 2 added Hidden Palace zone, so I was really looking forward to what they might add to Sonic 3&K. But unfortunately it seems like Sega didn’t let them add anything new at all to 3&K (or anywhere else for that matter; I can understand no Mighty and Ray, but I’m baffled there isn’t a playable Amy or Metal Sonic) Meanwhile, Mania had new zones, new moves, new characters, my biggest gripe with Mania is that Sega insisted on reimagined classic zones instead of just letting them do a whole new game. But since most of the reimagined zones are so fresh anyway (Chemical Plant Act 2 for example) I was willing to let that go. But it’s just nuts that after Mania knocked it put the park so hard that it didn’t get a sequel (with all new zones) and Sega botched Origins. I just can’t figure it out.
@Serpenterror a new Sonic pinball game would be pretty dope
Sonic Mania was a pretty good 8 in my opinion. At the time I played it, I haven't played any other classic Sonic game, so it felt very fresh to me. The only thing I didn't like was the lifes and save point system. Losing against the final boss and having to replay the whole level again, was very frustrating. Still I am very much looking forward to more classic Sonic games. The next one will be Sonic Origins and maybe I will get Sonic Advance 1-3. They seem to be fine.
@Slowdive "Sega America's chief brand & business officer Ivo Gerscovich"
Yeah, doesn't even work for Sega./s
Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit, clearly.
Fanboys are always transparent.
I don’t really want a sequel. Feels like it wouldn’t be as special. I’d rather just have a more original 2D game rather than aping the Genesis games again.
SoJ are the root of the problem with Sonic. I'm not convinced SoA would do any better though.
Sonic Mania was good, but the fact it hasn't been followed up either with a sequel or with SoJ leading a new 2D game surely tells us that the sales actually weren't that great. Sonic Mania felt like a game made by fans of Sonic, for fans of Sonic. The problem SEGA face is that the poor content they keep dishing out results in more and more people having no affinity with Sonic. Sonic Mania was likely limited in its sales as a result.
@nocdaes I think its sales were around 2million which is sort of the standard ballpark for modern sonic but the game was also priced more like an indie game.
But it seems like whatever good will is built up for Sonic is basically sucked out by Sega whenever they release a new game. It feels like the franchise been in a wheelspin for like 20 years.
I think it says something that despite originally rivalling Mario in popularity. The difference in treatment has led to Mario spin-offs without Mario in the title like Luigi's Mansion 3 selling over 10 million.
Like Sonic is still a highly recognisable character but thanks to SEGA there's such little reason to have any faith or trust in the franchise delivering a good experience.
@NinChocolate This. Can’t they fix Origins, bring it up to par and then move on to Mania 2?
What Mania proved to me was that the “Sonic Team” today doesn’t know how to make Sonic games.
I personally think it is the best Sonic has ever been, right up there with Sonic 2, if this game never gets a sequel that is a huge missed opportunity.
Now that sonic origins fail, they are thinking about milking money from sonic mania.
I would love a Sonic Mania 3D (different name perhaps)... similar aesthetic to the Chaos Emerald stages with tight controls/ stages. I'm still waiting for a 'classic era aesthetic' 3D Sonic game, in a way. Heck just gimme Sonic Utopia
@GeekSleeves no they can’t, they are not Nintendo, sega customer service sucks, they are only interested in milking money. Don’t buy sega games in first day release, only make your decision after reading many reviews.
We're never going to get a sequel, Sega insists on their mediocre 3D Sonic games instead
@Maulbert Sega remains weirdly Japan-centric. Heck, even Nintendo (a VERY Japanese company), has fully embraced working with Western studios... Sega keeps getting left behind.
Yet, they won’t develop a sequel. The developers did something pretty special with sonic there. Sega could never replicate on their own lol. Far and away the best sonic game
I bought Mania cuz everyone raved about it. But I can't motivate myself to play remixes of previous games. Calling it a defining moment is like calling NES Remix a defining moment for Nintendo. I guess if you have the older games memorized already, then this has the freshness of another run in a Roguelite, but even then only one time.
@Thomystic it's a new game, it just has some of the old level themes. Nothing like NES remix.
Would love a sequel to Mania, maybe 2 new characters etc. Would be way better then the new 3d Sonic Thaticantrememberthenameof.
@Isaix Ya know, I was revolted by by the music changes like anyone else. But I have actually had a big change of heart. Everyone likes the original Carnival music, but man is it repetitive, and sounds exactly the same from Acts 1 & 2. The new song isn't immediately catchy, but it has more going for it musically as it changes up.
I thought Ice Cap Zone music was the biggest lose, but again. The new song IS a actually good. It's jarring at first, I agree, but just really listen to it. It's got its own cool, different vibe.
Lastly, we have the new Launch Base Music. There is a big win for Sonic Origins. The new Launch Base music is superior to the old one in every way.
They also changed the Invincibility, Super Sonic tune. Which is good. The old one was annoyingly repetitive. So overall, I'm pretty happy with it.
It's like I say, there are always going to be TWO definitive versions of a game: the unaltered original, and the newest remaster. People will always want to have their cake and eat it too. "I wish they would change that...but why did they change that!" Hopefully, Sonic 3 and Knuckles get it's SEGA Ages release without any changes in the future.
@Serpenterror Fans have just released Remasterd SMS/Game Gear Sonic Games. They are in the vein of Sonic Mania features. You can get them free for mobile and Xbox.
As as new Sonic games, they already did EXACTLY what you mapped out. New class Sonic, Sonic Mania, check. New 3D Sonic, Sonic Frontiers, check. Sonic spinoff games, Sonic at the Olympic, check. So they are already following that guide post.
What I'd like from a Sonic Mania follow-up is, and probably that's too much, 2D recreations of stages from the 3D games like Emerald Coast, City Escape, Hang Castle or Sweet Mountain/Desert Ruins Zone Act 3.
If not, maybe the Zones of the Advance and Rush games revisited.
That and playable Amy that plays like the Amy in Sonic Advance 1.
@thinkhector Music is subjective, but personally I think the prototype tracks are all terrible, even in their original states. 2D Sonic sounds much better than this usually. Sonic 1, 2, CD and the Advance trilogy blow the Sonic 3 prototype tracks out of the water. Heck even Sonic 4 has better music. I was hoping they'd take Sonic 3D blast music to replace the Sonic 3 music, but that was wishful thinking
@Isaix I will say that overall the game music and sound effects are muted. This is most notable in handheld mode. When docked you can just turn up the volume to get it right.
While music is subjective, what I did say about Carnival Zone music is objectively true: It's super repetitive. The loop is like 25 seconds long.
Also, people only mention Act 1 when talking about the music changes. They never mention Act 2! Carnival Zone music from Act 1 and 2 are almost completely identical! And it's already repetitive. The new Carnival Zone music is totally different in Act 2! This goes the same for Ice Cap, where the Act 1 and Act are very similar in original form but Act 1 and Act 2 are very different in Origins.
For Launch Base, I don't like the voice sample in the original where they keep saying "Go!".
I agree on two things. It would be cool if you could use the Premium Songs in the museum in game. They should look to CDify the music as an option in the next collection.
I think the other thing we agree is that nobody likes Sonic 3 sprite. Would have been nice if he looked liked the other version.
@dr_frahnkunsteen There are something new added to Sonic 3 & Knuckles for Sonic Origins. You could now play the stages in Competition Mode in full scale now instead of limiting them to just split screens like the original. Also you get the waterdown versions of the prototype music this time instead of the license ones and yes a new Sonic Spinball game would be fantastic if done right.
@Serpenterror while the prototype music was new to me I can’t really bring myself to count it in the plus column. The full scale competition mode is nice, I always thought Azure Lake was a pretty stage. But hilariously you can’t play them in time attack in handheld mode because it still makes you connect a second controller even though it’s a single player time attack mode. Also, I remember reading the Headcannon team originally wanted to expand the competition zones into full zones for the main single player game. That would have been something. At least 3&K has the games only working Drop Dash and Tails works as expected
@AtlanteanMan Yeah! Give us our 8-bit stages, goddamnit!
It was OK, but it felt like a step back in terms of 2D Sonic games. The original Mega-Drive games were succeeded by the Advance games, it would have been more interesting to have something that built ontop of them. Not Sonic 3&3 2.0.
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