Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-esque Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, a fan-made title from Starteam, evokes the spirit and style of the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. The game caters to fans of classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art, delivering a nostalgic experience with a modern twist.

The active Sonic the Hedgehog fan community consistently produces sequels and spin-offs. Sonic Mania, a beloved 25th-anniversary celebration, set a high bar. While a true sequel never materialized due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and the developers' pursuit of new projects, the desire for a similar experience persists. Sonic Superstars, while a worthy successor, adopted 3D graphics. However, Sonic Galactic aims to fill the void left by the absence of a Sonic Mania sequel, embracing the timeless appeal of pixel art.

Developed over four years, initially showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, Sonic Galactic imagines a 32-bit Sonic game, akin to a hypothetical Sega Saturn release. It draws inspiration from classic Genesis titles while incorporating unique elements.

Gameplay and Characters:

The second demo, released in early 2025, features the iconic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in new zones. Joining the roster are Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and the all-new Tunnel the Mole, hailing from Illusion Island. Each character boasts unique pathways within each level.

Special stages, reminiscent of Sonic Mania, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. A complete playthrough of Sonic's stages takes roughly an hour, while other characters have about one stage each, resulting in a total playtime of a couple of hours. The game's current iteration provides a substantial taste of what's to come.