Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-esque Fan Game
Sonic Galactic, a fan-made title from Starteam, captures the spirit of Sonic Mania, appealing to players who enjoy classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art. This homage to the beloved 2017 title offers a fresh take on the franchise, featuring new playable characters and unique level designs.
The game's active development, initially showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, has culminated in a second demo released in early 2025. This demo presents a compelling "what-if" scenario: a 32-bit Sonic game imagined for 5th-generation consoles, echoing the potential of a Sega Saturn release. The developers have successfully blended retro 2D platforming reminiscent of the Genesis era with their own creative additions.
This fan game isn't just a nostalgic throwback; it introduces Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and a new character, Tunnel the Mole (inspired by Sonic Frontiers: Illusion Island), as playable characters. Each character boasts unique level paths, adding significant replayability. The special stages, clearly inspired by Sonic Mania, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in 3D environments.
While a full playthrough focusing solely on Sonic's levels takes approximately one hour, the inclusion of additional characters and their stages extends the overall playtime to a couple of hours. This second demo provides a substantial taste of what Sonic Galactic has to offer, solidifying its position as a promising fan-made sequel to the much-loved Sonic Mania.
