SEGA announces Sonic Mania and Project Sonic games

SEGA announces Sonic Mania and Project Sonic games

Sonic the Hedgehog is 25 years old this year, and SEGA is celebrating with new games for the blue hero.

At its fan-centric anniversary party at SDCC last night, the publisher debuted two new projects in the works.

The first, Sonic Mania, is a retro-inspired 2D game that takes the Genesis-era visuals into modern times. The game will feature new levels, as well as remixed classic ones, as Sonic, Tails and Knuckles (probably) take on Dr Robotnik. The game arrives in Spring 2017 for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Later in the year — Holiday 2017 to be exact — the publisher will also release another new Sonic game. For now, Project Sonic is the temporary name for a game that seems to bring together two Sonics: modern slender Sonic and the pudgy retro Sonic. The last time this happened was in 2011’s Sonic Generations. So, this is probably the sequel to that game, though SEGA is staying mum on whether that’s the actual direction or not. The game will make its way to PS4, Xbox One, PC and, surprisingly, Nintendo’s NX, marking one of the few games that has been announced for the upcoming console.

Finally, the team behind LEGO Dimensions showcased the first trailer for the Sonic package for the game, featuring the hedgehog, his stages and, uh, his car. Seeing Sonic and Doctor Who together is a little jarring, to be honest. Expect the pack to arrive in the Fall.