SEGA Announces Sonic Mania Plus

When Sonic Mania was announced, nostalgic fans flocked hard. The blend of retro style and modern quality drove the game towards success. Having released last year for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, SEGA has now announced an upcoming version, known as Sonic Mania Plus.

This new version of the game will offer a number of additions and improvements. This includes Encore Mode, which is said to offer a new way to explore each zone, as well as "some visual changes."

The most notable change is the inclusion of two new playable characters: Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel.



You'd have to dig deep into the Sonic canon to find these two characters. They both first appeared in SegaSonic the Hedgehog, a 1993 arcade game based on Sonic. The game's competition mode has also been expanded to accommodate up to four players.

Another unique aspect to Sonic Mania Plus is the upcoming physical release. The original game only released digitally. The physical release will feature deluxe packaging: a holographic slipcover and a reversible sleeve designed to mimic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive box. To further incentivize people to opt for the non-digital option, it will also include a 32-page art book.

Sonic Mania Plus will join store shelves for $29.99 at some point this summer. SEGA has stated that a digital update will come to the original game, though time and pricing for this remains unknown.