Sonic mania plus xbox one disc update#
Sonic mania plus xbox one disc series#

Sonic Mania was originally available only digitally at a lower price to reflect that, however going physical meant added costs, so we couldn’t release it at the same price. Iizuka: No, we had a problem releasing the physical version.

We had such a feeling of gratitude for everyone, we decided to go with a physical version. However, after release we had many fans say “We want a physical version!” Considering the older fans, I thought they would like to line it up next to all the other physical versions up until now. So you guys had to abandon a physical release at one point? Iizuka: Sonic Mania started out as a digital-exclusive project, but during its development we had people from the office say “We also want to release a physical version.” However, making the change to go with a physical version halfway through was a problem for the production line, and it would’ve changed the overall schedule, so we had to give it up. As for Sonic Mania Plus, how did its development start out? So it was met with favorable reception around the world. Again, up until the end of last year people had trouble acquiring Nintendo Switches around the world, so there seems to be some cases where folks finally got a hold of the hardware and are downloading the game. Moreover, physical games tend to sell a lot on its release day but then we often see it take a big drop afterwards, I’m not sure if it’s because Sonic Mania was a digital title, but its sales didn’t drop even after its release day. We’ve even had some people say “It’s the best game!” and we are most grateful about that.

Sonic mania plus xbox one disc series#

Takashi Iizuka, series producer: After its release in August 2017, its reception has been better than we could imagine. I heard fans from North America and Europe shared some exuberant support where it was favorably received. Series producer Takashi Iizuka talked about that and more in a recent interview with Famitsu.įamitsu: Before we get into the meat of it, please tell us about the reaction after the release of Sonic Mania. The physical version was released with a 32-page art book and a reversible cover in the style of Genesis or Mega Drive boxart covers, depending on the region.The addition of Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel for Sonic Mania Plus was a big surprise for old school Sonic fans.

Sonic mania plus xbox one disc update#

Additionally, an update released alongside Sonic Mania Plus adds more cutscenes and a reworked Metal Sonic battle based on his appearance in Knuckles' Chaotix ( 1995). Plus also adds an 'Encore Mode' with remixed levels and a reworked lives mechanic, a pinball bonus stage, and a four-player competition mode. It adds playable characters Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel from the 1993 arcade game SegaSonic the Hedgehog, each with unique abilities: Mighty can slam the ground and is immune to spikes when in ball form, while Ray can glide without losing altitude. The team built the game using Whitehead's Retro Engine and aimed for a graphical quality between that of Genesis and Sega Saturn games.Īn expanded version of the game, Sonic Mania Plus, was released at retail and as downloadable content for the original version on July 17, 2018.

Art, level design, audio, and additional programming was provided by independent studios PagodaWest Games and Headcannon. Development began after lead developer Christian 'Taxman' Whitehead, who was previously contracted by Sega to develop enhanced mobile ports of Genesis Sonic games, presented a playable prototype to Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka. The development team was composed of members known for their work in the Sonic fangame and ROM hacking community. It takes place over twelve levels, including eight redesigned stages from past games. The game homages the original Sega Genesis Sonic games, featuring speedy, side-scrolling gameplay. Produced in commemoration of the Sonic the Hedgehog series' 25th anniversary, the story follows Sonic the Hedgehog and his companions Tails and Knuckles as they venture to defeat their nemesis Doctor Eggman and his robotic henchmen, the Hard-Boiled Heavies. Sonic Mania is a 2D platform game published by Sega worldwide in August 2017 for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows.