The Sonic franchise has gone through its fair share of ups and downs, with the series experiencing way more downs in recent times. So, it was only a given that some fans were somewhat skeptical about the release of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Sonic Mania. After all, the idea of a 2D Sonic title that actually capღtured ജthe magic of the series is certainly a titillating prospec𒀰t... but, given the string of disappointments that Sonic fans had faced in modern times, it was understandable that they would want to keep ♈their hype in check for Sonic Mania.

Related: The Differences Between Sonic Adventure On Dreamcast &🍬amp; Other Re-Releas🥂es

Thankfully, it𝓰 seems that Sega finally heard what fans wanted from the Sonic series all along — especially since they hired a bunch of Sonic fans to develop this game in the first place! Sonic Mania is a celebration of everything that made the series great in the early years. Excellent levels, brilliant sound design, and fast-paced gameplay are a few of the many draws of this amazing experience. For players who want to get into Sonic Mania, here are a few things to keep in mind.

10 The Player Can Ru🃏n Through Levels As Multiple Characters

Knuckles running through a level in Sonic Mania

No Sonic game would be complete without multiple characters, and Sonic Mania definitely doesn't disappoint in that regard. The game allows players to go through levels as 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles, each of whom has unique abilities of their own.

Players who might find these options to be somewhat lacking need not fret — Sonic Mania Plus ends up alleviating this concern as well. This enhanced edition of the game features two new playable characters, 1ಞ68澳洲幸运5开奖网:Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel.

9 ♓ ✅ Sonic Has Various Unlockable Abilities As Well

Sonic near a checkpoint in Sonic Mania

Sonic is definitely the go-to💃 character to play through the levels of Sonic Mania. After all, he is the figurehead of the series!

This iconic hedgehog has several unique abilities that can only be unlocked𒈔 by collecting the various medals scattered throughout the level. Obtaining one medal unlocks the Super Peel-Out move while gathering six medals unlocks the Insta-Shield ability.

An image of Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic Mania, accompanied by Knuckles and Tails.,

As is the case with most Sonic titles, the player can go through the game with Tails as their companion. What makes this addition even better is tha൩t a second person can control Tails independently as well!

Related: Sonic The Hedgehog: Games To Pla🎃y For The Story, Ranked

If that wasn't great enough as is, Sonic Mania also includes a special "& Knuckles" mode that has become legendary among the fanbase. This mode 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:allows Knuck📖les to accompany the ꦉplayer instead and is unlocked by collecting 11 medals. Just like Tails, a second player cꦬan control K🎐nuckles too.

7 There's A Competitive Multiplayer Mode As Well

Multiplayer in Sonic Mania

If playing along with your friend doesn't sound like an enticing prospect, then don't worry. Sonic Mania also as a competitive mode in the form of a race.

In this mode, two players start at the very beginning of a level and need to race all the way to the final area of the level. It's a blisteringly fast-paced mode that makes for a ton of competitive fun.

6 Players Can Try Getting The Best Time I꧅n Time Attack Mode For Bra🐼gging Rights

Sonic Mania screenshot of Sonic running towards hill.

Time🐻 Attack mode is a mainstay of the Sonic series. Given how brilliant of a homage Sonic Mania is to the classic games of the franchise, it was only a given that this 🔯Time Attack mode would be featured here as well.

True to its name, players need to fin༒ish off stages as quickly as possible in Time Attack mode to net the best completion time. This time goes on an online leaderboard where p💞layers can compete for the best times against Sonic fans all over the world.

5 🐟 There Are Eight Classic Stages And Four Original Ones 𒀰

The first Eggman boss fight in Sonic Mania

There are a total of twelve stages in Sonic Mania, each of which are brilliant in their own🌠 ri🌟ght. Eight of these zones are remixes of classic tracks in the Sonic series, while the other four have been built from the ground up specifically for Sonic Mania.

The rem🅠ixed stages are certainly great in their own right, but Sonic Mania truly shines in the original stages. The mechanics used in these stages are excellent and make for some memorable platforming moments.

Sonic running through a stage in Sonic Mania

Given the fact that the whole point of Sonic games is to go really fast and tear through levels, one might be tempted to do the same and speedrun Sonic Mania from start to end. However, while this might be an entertaining course of action to take, it'll ultimately take away from the overall experience of the player.

Instead of blasting through the twelve zones, players should slow down whenever appropri🐽ate to seek out the litany of secrets present in the game. Doing so can net some helpful powerups, unlock bonuses, and everything else along the same lines.

3 Players Need To Collect All Seven Chaos Emeralds🌞 To U💛nlock The True Ending

Chaos Emeralds in Sonic Mania

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:A big part of the Sonic series that has remained consistent since the early days is the Chaos Emeraldsꦉ. These powerful artifacts have been a major plot point throughout the entire series.

Related: Sonic: 𓃲The Best Eggman 🌠Boss Fights In The Series (& The Worst)

So, it's only a given that these Emeralds appear in Sonic Mania as well. There are a total of seven Chaos Emeralds that players need to obtain by chasing down a UFO in a secret bonus stage. Doing so will allow the blue hedgehog to transform into Super Sonic and unlock the True Ending of the game.

2 There's A Debug Mode That Can Be Unlocked As Well

Fang the Sniper appearing as a miniboss in Sonic Mania

The idea of ending the Debug Mไode of any game is fascinating for players who want a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite video games. Thankfully, Sonic Mania feature🍌s a debug mode of its own as well.

However, unlocking this mode can be quite a pain. To access Debug Mode in Sonic Mania, players need to collect a total of 16 medals from all the blue sphere bonus stages present♔ throughout the game, which is no trifling matter𒆙.

1 Players Can Download Several Mods For The Game 🥀

Mods for Sonic Mania

With the release of Sonic Mania on PC, it was only a given that several mods would be released for the game. It's a testament to the insane devotion of the Sonic fanbase that the majority of these mods are absolutely breathtaking to behold.

The sheer variety of mods that have already come out is laudable in i𝓀ts own right. From ꦏ to — these mods will ensure that players will be able to endlessly play Sonic Mania without getting bored.

Next: 168澳洲幸运5开奖网𝔉:Sonic Vs. Mario: Which Franchise Is Better?