Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-esque Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, a fan-made game developed by Starteam, evokes the spirit of Sonic Mania, capturing the charm of classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art. This highly anticipated title, first showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, offers a fresh take on the Sonic universe, imagining what a 32-bit era Sonic game might have been like, perhaps even on the Sega Saturn.

Building upon the legacy of Sonic Mania, a beloved 25th-anniversary celebration, Sonic Galactic embraces the retro 2D platforming style of the Genesis games while injecting its own unique elements. The absence of a true Sonic Mania sequel, due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and the developers' pursuit of new projects, left a void filled by passionate fan creations like Sonic Galactic and Sonic and the Fallen Star.

The game's second demo, released in early 2025, provides a substantial gameplay experience. Players can control the iconic trio—Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—in all-new levels. Joining the classic cast are two new playable characters: Fang the Sniper from Sonic Triple Trouble, seeking revenge against Dr. Eggman, and Tunnel the Mole, a character hailing from Illusion Island.

Each character boasts unique pathways within each zone, reminiscent of Sonic Mania's level design. The special stages maintain the Mania feel, challenging players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a playthrough focusing solely on Sonic's stages takes approximately an hour, the inclusion of other characters extends the total playtime to a couple of hours. This makes the demo a substantial offering for fans eager to experience this nostalgic yet innovative take on the Sonic franchise.