Fan-Made Sonic Game Echoes Sonic Mania

Summary

• Sonic Galactic is a fan game reminiscent of Sonic Mania, appealing to fans of pixel art and classic Sonic gameplay.
• The game features new playable characters Fang the Sniper and Tunnel the Mole, with unique paths for each.
• Sonic Galactic's second demo offers roughly an hour of Sonic's stages and a couple of hours of total gameplay.

Sonic Galactic by Starteam is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan game that captures the essence and spirit of the beloved 2017 release, Sonic Mania. The Sonic the Hedgehog fan community remains vibrant and active, continuously creating new sequels and follow-ups to various titles within the franchise. Sonic Mania, in particular, stands out as one of the most celebrated games in the series, marking the franchise's 25th anniversary. This game was crafted by Headcannon, Christian Whitehead, and PagodaWest Games, a trio of passionate Sonic enthusiasts who previously contributed to acclaimed fan games like Sonic: Before the Sequel.

Despite the anticipation, a direct sequel to Sonic Mania never came to fruition. This was largely due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art graphics and Christian Whitehead's studio, Evening Star, pursuing new projects. In 2023, Sonic Superstars was released as a follow-up to the 2D entries, maintaining the Genesis-style gameplay but introducing 3D graphics and cooperative multiplayer. However, many fans continue to cherish Sonic Mania's timeless pixel art style, leading to the creation of fan games like Sonic and the Fallen Star. Sonic Galactic by Starteam is another project embracing this iconic aesthetic.

Sonic Galactic has been in development for over four years, with its initial reveal at the Sonic Amateur Games Expo in 2020. This fan game imagines what a Sonic title might have looked like had it been developed for the Sega Saturn, blending authentic retro 2D platforming reminiscent of the Genesis era with fresh innovations.

What is Sonic Galactic?

The second demo of Sonic Galactic, released at the beginning of 2025, allows players to explore new zones with the classic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Additionally, it introduces Fang the Sniper from Sonic Triple Trouble as a playable character, joining forces with Sonic and friends to confront Dr. Eggman. A new character, Tunnel the Mole, native to Illusion Island, also joins the roster.

Sonic Galactic mirrors the feel of a Sonic Mania sequel, offering each playable character distinct paths within the zones. The special stages draw heavy inspiration from Mania, challenging players to gather a specific number of rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. The second demo provides approximately an hour of gameplay focused on Sonic's stages, with other characters featuring around one stage each, culminating in a total playtime of a couple of hours.