Unofficial Sonic Project Boasts Retro Charm

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-Inspired Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, developed by Starteam, is a Sonic the Hedgehog fan game channeling the spirit of Sonic Mania. This tribute to classic Sonic gameplay and pixel art is a welcome addition to the vibrant Sonic fan community, known for its creative sequels and reinterpretations of the franchise. Sonic Mania's enduring popularity, as a 25th-anniversary celebration, has inspired numerous fan projects, and Sonic Galactic follows suit.

The absence of a true Sonic Mania sequel, due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and the developers' pursuit of new projects, left a void. While Sonic Superstars offered a 2D successor with 3D visuals and co-op, the timeless appeal of Sonic Mania's pixel art style remains strong. Games like Sonic and the Fallen Star have already capitalized on this, and Sonic Galactic aims to do the same.

First showcased at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, Sonic Galactic has been in development for at least four years. The game imagines a 32-bit Sonic title for 5th-generation consoles, evoking the feel of a potential Sega Saturn release. It blends authentic retro 2D platforming with a unique twist.

Exploring Sonic Galactic:

The second demo, released in early 2025, lets players experience brand-new zones with the classic trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. Joining them are Fang the Sniper from Sonic Triple Trouble, seeking revenge on Dr. Eggman, and the Illusion Island native, Tunnel the Mole, as new playable characters.

Sonic Galactic's gameplay strongly resembles a Sonic Mania sequel, with each character offering unique paths through the levels. The special stages are clearly inspired by Mania, challenging players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a complete playthrough of Sonic's levels takes about an hour, the other characters each have roughly one stage, resulting in a total playtime of a couple of hours in this second demo.