Sonic Mania Plus will spin into brick and mortar stores this summer, SEGA announced during an SXSW panel this evening. The updated version – which will be available as a DLC pack for those who already own the title digitally – will add two new characters to the throwback sidescroller: Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel. These are freakin’ deep cuts, because we’re long-time followers of the franchise and even we’ve never heard of them.
In addition to the fresh heroes, Plus will also include a new ‘Encore Mode’, which remixes various stages from the original release, and there’ll be an expanded four-player competitive mode, too. If you purchase at retail, then you’ll be rewarded with a holographic sleeve and reversible cover, featuring authentic Genesis and Mega Drive artwork depending on your region. You’ll also get a 32-page art book inside the Blu-ray case, all for $29.99.
Comments 27
These guys haven't appeared in a Sonic game since the 90s. Always loved Mighty the Armadillo!
Interesting
I honestly might get it just for the physical goodies.
Does Sonic mania already have a multiplayer mode? Don't seem to remember one.
Definately recognise that Sonic looking character from that old 32X game I never bought but always wanted. Knuckles Chaotix. Also, that Mega Drive reversible cover is brilliant.
Grinds my gears. I'd prefer to buy physical over digital any day - why not just release this in the first place?
I know the obvious answer; Forces bombed but everyone loves Mania - so bleed it a little drier... 😒
@YummyHappyPills tenner says you just checked that on wikipedia.
This is relevant to my interests.
Awesome. Don't care about the new characters (all the sonic universe needs is Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Robotnik), but it's great to have a physical release and more exposure for this great Sonic game.
@KALofKRYPTON we're seeing this quite a lot now with smaller titles and indies. They release digital first because it's cheaper to publish that way, and if the game's successful then a retail release can get additional sales from newcomers, and those that liked the game enough to buy it again.
I'm cool with it to be honest. Let's be honest the physical releases are usually budget priced anyway so it's not a huge blow for your wallet (although of course personal circumstances vary).
Awesome to see Mighty and Ray return, if they aren't added to the digital version I'll be grabbing a copy of it on disc for sure - hell I might get it anyway
But will the reversible sleeve actually say Megadrive over?
Very rare characters. I never played the Sonic arcade game. Nice
awesome... this is why i waited for the inevitable physical release. sega is killing it these days...
Nice. I wonder how much the DLC will be going for?
I'm glad for those 2 fans that asked for them lol
I feel the 'base' digital game should at least get a digital version of the artbook for free, even if the 2 additional characters are paid DLC.
My personal GOTY last year. Definitely double dipping on Xbox. I'll have a portable version and one for home.
Since Mania is a callback to classic Sonic, I guess it makes sense to see some old school, and most likely forgotten by many, characters back in the mix.
That gold foil case is oh so tempting, though.
@KALofKRYPTON Or at least patch in the characters. Its a few pixels the tight gits.
The problem with this type of thing is the day one buyers just get the hump and are less likely to buy day one again. It is probably just me but Im buying less and less day 1 stuff every year and cant see that changing anytime soon.
Also that squirrel looks like Homer Simpson and its really doing my head in.
Big fan of Sonic, but I’ve not heard of either of them.
Seems like Sonic Mania was a success. Good on the dev team. Maybe they can give Sonic Team some pointers...
Yeah that black Sonic was in Knuckles Chaotix but I've never seen that squirrel thing, I'll take any excuse to play the game again though. I could be tempted to pick up the physical box if it has a Megadrive equivalent to that cover.
Hopefully this means we'll get a sequel at some point made by these guys and Sonic Team can stay well away from it.
I am going to pick this up, yay
@YummyHappyPills lol fair enough then!
@roe I don't mind it so much with an indie. I've spent plenty on getting physical Vita games thanks to Limited Run and Play Asia. But the cynic in me can't help but see this as little more than a cash grab by Sega. Mania could've been a disc release and still sold as well from the start, and it did have a special edition with the Mega Drive statue.
So nobody else is stunned by PS having a pic of a Switch game? I'm half surprised they didn't photoshop it.
And the title ddin't read - "Sonic Mania Plus Adds Two New Characters on PS4 This Summer"
I think something has happened to the really sammy and the guy who wrote this is an imposter.
well i already have the digital version but screw it, i can't pass this up
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