Sonic Fan-Made Game Has Serious Sonic Mania Vibes

Sonic Galactic: A Sonic Mania-Inspired Fan Game

Sonic Galactic, developed by Starteam, is a fan-made Sonic the Hedgehog game capturing the spirit of Sonic Mania. The active Sonic fan community consistently produces sequels and spin-offs, and Sonic Mania, a 25th-anniversary celebration, remains a fan favorite. While a true sequel never materialized due to Sonic Team's shift away from pixel art and the developers' pursuit of new projects, Sonic Galactic fills the void.

Building on the legacy of games like Sonic: Before the Sequel, Sonic Galactic offers a retro 2D platforming experience reminiscent of classic Genesis titles, with a unique 32-bit aesthetic, imagining a potential Sega Saturn release. The game, in development for at least four years (first showcased at SAGE 2020), blends classic gameplay with fresh elements.

What Makes Sonic Galactic Unique?

The second demo, released in early 2025, features the classic trio—Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles—in new zones. It also introduces two new playable characters: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) and Tunnel the Mole (inspired by Illusion Island). Each character boasts unique paths within each zone.

The special stages are heavily inspired by Sonic Mania, challenging players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. A typical playthrough focuses on Sonic's stages (approximately one hour), with shorter segments for the other characters. The total playtime for the demo is around two hours. The game's pixel art style and classic Sonic gameplay will resonate strongly with fans of Sonic Mania and retro platformers.