Sonic Mania Summary
Sonic Mania is the 2017 retro platformer game featuring Sonic the Hedgehog. Despite Sega handling publishing and receiving the approval of Sonic Team, development was the work of a group of Sonic the Hedgehog fans. Notably, head developer Christian Whitehead is an active member of the Sonic ROM-hacking and fan-game community. After receiving a contract from Sega to develop ports of the Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog titles, Whitehead began developing his own new Sonic game. After showing the prototype to Sega, the publisher greenlit the project as Sonic Mania.
Following the game’s release in 2017, Sonic Mania sits as the highest-rated title in the series since Sonic Adventure 2. The general perception of fans and reviewers alike is that the game is a return to form for the franchise. The game retains the same graphic style and presentation of the original Sonic trilogy but adds new levels and features. Roughly a year after its release, Sonic Mania had over a million units sold.
While some criticized the game due to its lack of originality and adherence to the original Sonic formula, fan perception of the game helped to make it one of the cornerstones of Sonic’s resurgence in popularity. Following the release of Sonic Mania, Sega has moved forward with multiple Sonic the Hedgehog projects, including the Sonic Origins collection and the upcoming new 2D-3D Sonic game Sonic Superstars.
Sonic Mania Premise
Sonic Mania is very similar to the original 3 Sonic the Hedgehog games for Sega Genesis in terms of its gameplay and mechanics. Players control the titular hero Sonic, a blue hedgehog, as he makes his way across 2D platforming levels. The levels contain power-ups and rings, which Sonic must collect in place of having traditional “Life” or “HP.” When Sonic is hit by an enemy or touches an environmental hazard, he loses his rings. Getting hit without recovering any rings results in Sonic losing a life. Of course, players can offset this by earning 100 rings to earn an extra life. Additionally, completing one of each level’s three parts, called “Acts”, with 100 rings in Sonic’s possession grants a continue.
Each level in Sonic Mania, much like the early Sonic games, has a central theme. Some themes are built around various ecosystems while others are based on specific locations. Regardless of setting, each level contains a series of platforms. While Sonic can run and jump on these platforms similar to other genre games like Super Mario Bros., what sets Sonic apart is his speed. Sonic’s trademark speed makes it possible for him to scale vertical walls and complete loop-de-loops. As a result, the levels in Sonic Mania showcase the hedgehog’s speed and agility.
Each final Act of a level features a boss, which is typically a robotic contraption built by Sonic’s nemesis Dr. Robotnik. Sonic can jump and spin-dash to attack enemies and the level boss, but careful ring collection is key to success. Interestingly, Sonic Mania uses some brand-new stages and other returning stages from previous games. For stages that are modeled off of levels in the Genesis Sonic games, the first Act is largely identical to the original. The developers then intentionally switch up level layouts and design to remix the classic Sonic stages.
Sonic Mania Main Characters
The plot of Sonic Mania positions the game as taking place directly after the events of Sonic 3 on Sega Genesis. In addition to iconic returning characters, several new friends appear for the first time in the series. Main characters in Sonic Mania include:
- Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic is the titular hero of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. His speed and trademark blue fur earn him the nickname “Blue Blur,” and he pursues Dr. Robotnik endlessly to stop him from obtaining the Chaos Emeralds.
- Miles “Tails” Prower: Miles is Sonic’s best friend and sidekick first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. A twin-tailed fox, Tails is a technological mastermind and a skilled pilot. He can also fly with the aid of his twin tails, which allow him to hover like a helicopter.
- Knuckles the Echidna: Knuckles is the enemy-turned-ally of Sonic and Tails. A red echidna with spiked knuckles that allow him to climb, his unique abilities transform how players traverse levels.
- Mighty the Armadillo: Mighty is a former obscure Sonic character who joins the cast of playable characters in Sonic Mania. He has some offensive and defensive abilities that make his playstyle unique.
- Ray the Flying Squirrel: Ray is similar in appearance and playstyle to Tails, albeit with a bit more nuance to his flight mechanics. Ray is notably the character of choice for players attempting to speedrun Sonic Mania
- Dr. Robotnik: Sonic’s archnemesis and a robotics expert, Dr. Robotnik is continually in search of the Chaos Emeralds to achieve ultimate power. His trademark bald head and round body have earned him the nickname “Eggman” from Sonic.
Games in the Sonic the Hedgehog Series
Since its beginning in 1991, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise continues to be one of the most recognizable and successful series in the medium of video games. Sonic himself is a video game icon and many of the series’ games are all-time platforming classics. Games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series include:
- Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992)
- Sonic CD (1993)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles (1994)
- Sonic 3D Blast (1996)
- Sonic Adventure (1998)
- Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (2001)
- Sonic Advance (2001)
- Sonic Mega Collection (2003)
- Sonic Heroes (2003)
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2003)
- Shadow the Hedgehog (2005)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
- Sonic Unleashed (2008)
- Sonic Colors (2010)
- Sonic Generations (2011)
- Sonic Lost World (2013)
- Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014)
- Sonic Mania (2017)
- Sonic Origins (2022)
- Sonic Frontiers (2022)
- Sonic Superstars (2023)
Sonic Mania Cheats
Several cheats are available for Sonic Mania that are universal across each version. The one exception are the button commands to enter some of the codes, which are different depending on console. For each of the cheats listed below that use button commands, the buttons for each platform are listed.
Debug Mode
Sonic Mania‘s Debug Mode is traditionally unlocked after earning all the Gold Medallions, but there is a code to unlock it early.
On the title screen, press Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Up, Up. If done correctly, you will hear a chime. With Debug Mode unlocked, several other cheat options are now available.
Level Select
Once Debug Mode is unlocked, go into Mania Mode, turn Debug Mode on, hover over the “No Save” option, and press the following:
PlayStation: Hold Square while selecting No Save
Xbox: Hold X while selecting No Save
Switch: Hold Y while selecting No Save
Sound Test Cheats
With the Level Select screen unlocked, players can access the Sound Test option. Playing certain sounds in specific orders activates various cheats.
- All Chaos Emeralds – Play sounds 04, 01, 02, 06. This grants the player all 7 Chaos Emeralds, turning Sonic into Super Sonic
- Super Form Flight – Play sounds 02, 00, 01, 07, 00, 08, 01, 05. This allows Super Sopnic to fly in any zone like he does in Egg Reverie Zone
- Disable Super Music – Play sounds 06, 02, 01, 04.
- Sonic Max Control – Play sounds 09, 00, 00, 01. This gives Sonic access to all bonus moves (Insta-Shield, Drop Dash, and Super Peel Out)
- 14 Continues – Play sounds 01, 09, 09, 02, 01, 01, 02, 04
- Ricky Mania – Play sounds 01, 09, 07, 09, 00, 08, 01, 01. All animals in the game are replaced with Ricky the squirrel.
- Encore Mode in Level Select – Play sounds 02, 00, 01, 08, 00, 06, 02, 03. This will set the game to Encore Mode, allowing you to play Encore Mode Zones from the Level Select and enabling the Debug Mode in Encore Mode stages
UFO Stage Select
Playing certain sounds in order in the Sound Test screen and then selecting Special Stage 1 allows players to choose UFO Special Stages to play.
| Sound | Stage Unlocked |
| Play sound 00 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 1 |
| Play sound 01 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 2 |
| Play sound 02 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 3 |
| Play sound 03 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 4 |
| Play sound 04 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 5 |
| Play sound 05 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 6 |
| Play sound 06 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 7 |
| Play sound 07 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 1 (Encore) |
| Play sound 08 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 2 (Encore) |
| Play sound 09 and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 3 (Encore) |
| Play sound 0A and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 4 (Encore) |
| Play sound 0B and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 5 (Encore) |
| Play sound 0C and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 6 (Encore) |
| Play sound 0D and select Special Stage 1 | UFO Special Stage 7 (Encore) |
Blue Sphere Stage Select
Playing a specific sound in the Sound Test screen and selecting Special Stage 2 unlocks Blue Sphere Bonus Stages to play.
| Sound | Stage Unlocked |
| Play sound 00 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 1 |
| Play sound 01 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 2 |
| Play sound 02 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 3 |
| Play sound 03 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 4 |
| Play sound 04 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 5 |
| Play sound 05 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 6 |
| Play sound 06 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 7 |
| Play sound 07 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 8 |
| Play sound 08 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 9 |
| Play sound 09 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 10 |
| Play sound 0A and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 11 |
| Play sound 0B and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 12 |
| Play sound 0C and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 13 |
| Play sound 0D and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 14 |
| Play sound 0E and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 15 |
| Play sound 0F and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 16 |
| Play sound 10 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 17 |
| Play sound 11 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 18 |
| Play sound 12 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 19 |
| Play sound 13 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 20 |
| Play sound 14 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 21 |
| Play sound 15 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 22 |
| Play sound 16 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 23 |
| Play sound 17 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 24 |
| Play sound 18 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 25 |
| Play sound 19 and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 26 |
| Play sound 1A and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 27 |
| Play sound 1B and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 28 |
| Play sound 1C and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 29 |
| Play sound 1D and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 30 |
| Play sound 1E and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 31 |
| Play sound 1F and select Special Stage 2 | Blue Sphere Stage 32 |
All Gold Medallions Cheat (Requires Encore DLC or Sonic Mania Plus)
Normally players will unlock all Gold Medallions by completing all Blue Sphere stages. which also unlocks Debug Mode and other cheats. However, there is a multi-step process players can use to unlock all Gold Medallions without playing the Blue Sphere stages:
- Unlock Debug Mode (Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Up, Up)
- Go to the Mania Mode menu, turn Debug Mode on, hover over No Save, and press the correct buttons to enable Level Select based on console
- Inside Level Select, go to the Sound Test option and input the cheat for Ricky Mania (01, 09, 07, 09, 00, 08, 01, 01)
- Play sounds 01, 09, 08, 09, 09, 00, 05, 00, 01. If entered correctly, you will hear the Gold Medallion sound
- Enter a level and immediately leave it. If all steps are done correctly you will obtain a series of messages outlining everything you’ve unlocked
Sonic Mania Cheat FAQs
Are there cheats in Sonic Mania?
Yes, as of version 1.05 the game supports all of the cheats listed above. By unlocking Debug Mode, players can unlock Level Select which gives them access to the Sound Test. Many of the game’s cheats are entered in the Sound Test menu.
How do you unlock cheats in Sonic Mania?
To enable cheats, players first need to enable Debug Mode. This can be done organically by completing all of the Blue Sphere stages. Alternatively, players can enter the cheat to activate Debug Mode. Once Debug Mode is active, players will need to enter the cheat for Level Select (which varies from console to console based on buttons used). With Level Select active, players can use the Sound Test option to enter cheats.
How do you get infinite lives in Sonic Mania?
In Press Garden Act 1, take Sonic to the first ink container in the level. This container should be spawning hopping badniks. Stand next to it and spin dash to kill the badnik. Let go of the spin dash and kill the next badnik that spawns. Repearing this process will stack points and let Sonic easily gain free lives.