SONIC MANIA: 12 Minutes of Gameplay (No Commentary) 

I love that you can tell every point where he said, "Fuck it," and moved on.

Feels weird being excited for a Sonic game these days.

*Every time he stops and walks in the other direction right when hes about to get some speed I wanna pull my fucking hair out*

I'm almost 30 and I feel like a little schoolgirl watching this with excitement. I have been waiting since 1995 for the proper follow up to my favorite video game of all time, sonic 3 and knuckles. I'm not completely convinced, considering how many time sega has let me down in the past. Still, this looks fucking GOOD. Who is making this game?

7:16 does anyone notice that the robot changed expressions once he lost his revolving orbs. That kind of details is awesome.

Sonic 1 + Sonic 2's mechanics + Sonic 3's characters + Sonic CD's sound-quality = There goes my wallet!

The real Sonic 4 or Sonic CD2

7:15 - Aw, he gets sadder as he loses each ball. :(

Hey, guys! Nick Robinson here from Polygon. I wanted to write a quick comment to go alongside this video so that y'all would have some context for what this footage is when we post it! Yes, this is the same Sonic Mania demo one of our editors went hands-on with at the Sonic 25th Anniversary Party a few weeks ago. However, for that video, the embargo required that the video be edited and have some sort of editorial commentary over it. Fast-forward to today: I finally got the chance to get my own hands on the game myself at PAX West, and I thought you guys would appreciate this slightly different take on the demo - one where I took my time, explored both stages much as possible in the time alloted, and then give you the video completely unedited and without commentary. So yes, while these are the same stages you probably saw in our video last month, this really is all-new gameplay - and I stumbled onto a couple of cool new things in my playthrough. This weird, semi-redundant video isn't the type of thing we normally do, but I really do believe that Sonic Mania is shaping up to be something extremely special, and I thought you fans might appreciate this extended look at it. I hope you enjoy this video, and if you have any questions about my time with the game, feel free to ask! I'll keep my eyes on the replies to this comment and reply to as many as I can. Thanks! -Nick (twitter.com/babylonian)

Man, this game is shaping up to be incredible. I knew they added some new stuff to Green Hill, but I had no idea they were going to add as much as they did. That entire underground area feels like it could be it's own level separate from the normal area, it's that big. Studiopolis looks fantastic too. The level design, music, gimmicks, and theme are all really good. If the other Zones in the game are as good as Green Hill and Studiopolis, Mania might de-throne Sonic 3 & Knuckles as my favorite video game. I'm excited.

the person isn't horrible at the game he's just exploring each zone so we get to see as much of the demo as possible as said in the description.

they took what people wanted...and made it better

This my friends is how you redeem Sega after the terror that was Sonic Boom.

The beats on Studiopolis Zone. . . just brings back the Sonic CD vibes.

Watching this guy play hurts

UGH! this guy doesn't understand momentum in classic sonic

Simply marvelous

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

The amount of creativity packed into this demo is amazing.

As someone who was born in 1997 and grew up playing every single Sonic game on my brothers' old Genesis, I FINALLY feel like I'm witnessing something amazing happening to the Sonic series. It fills me with deep nostalgia and excitement.

Am i the only one who was like "WHOA" when i saw caves in Green Hill Zone?

Am I the only one who is hoping Metal Sonic is in this?

I could watch that start up screen over and over! It's so good!

For everyone hating on this vide because he isn't going fast enought. This is a video of a demo from before the game came out and it's supposed to show off the zones as good as possible.

That mini boss music is fuckin' dope.

The point where he jumped "underneath" Greenhill, blew my childhood mind :) i can't funkin wait to play this!

Have to say, I absolutely love this! Looks sick man, what a treat is going to be pulling out the switch from my bag at lunch break and have a blast with this phenomenal looking game. I need it in my life, stat.

I got SO HYPED when the boss music came on! And in Studiopolis when Sonic turns into a silhouette behind the window... It's absolutely stunning!

Now this is the Sonic The Hedgehog I remember can't wait when does this game come out?

*Gasp* A game that isn't getting a petition to get canceled! This throws off the balance of the universe! I gotta change that right now!!! JJ

Sega, you did it, you magnificent bastards did it.... Classic Sonic, 16-bit feel, good music, the only good characters, how!!?

This looks like something that could have been on Dreamcast, and in some aspects, the Saturn, and that's a beautiful thing. The Dreamcast was the last time Sega felt like Sega. Seems like they are finally trying to bring back the old Sega look and feel from back then. I always wanted them to use the consoles after Dreamcast to continue what they had with that system, but they never did. Here's to hoping they can use the Switch to finally get their act together and show the newer generations how awesome they used to be.

Studiopolis reminds me of Collision Chaos from Sonic CD.

Welcome back, Sega. Now please don't rush your games again. Its not a speedrun.

That soundtrack though!! And the gameplay looks amazing... so hyped for the game to come out!

I've been playing sonic since the early 90s and this is exactly what I want!

If there's multiplayer I'm gonna scream!

Everyone rolls too much instead savoring that bad ass running animation.

See? You don't need HD models to make an amazing game!

I hope to god they bring back the insta-shield from Sonic 3!

Sonic 4's looking good

I am so impressed by the attention to detail going into this. Even stuff like letting the blue channel linger during that fade-out right at the start, or the exaggerated distortion in the Mode7-style effects. It really feels like one of the classics. Imagine if other companies made the best out of fan-game development like this.

This is beyond good. This is beyond great. THIS IS FRICKING AWESOME

Man these levels must be HUGE! I can't wait to get this.

I am the only one frustrated because it looks like the one playing never played a sonic game in his life?

This game looks amazing. Can't wait to play It. hopefully they bring back Super Sonic throughout all the levels.

This looks fantastic. Need more games like this in my life.

Talk about nostalgia. I used to go through Green Hill Zone as a kid and collect all the rings. When I saw the new areas my eyes lit up. I can't wait!

all Christian whitehead needs is the red baseball cap: "MAKE SONIC GREAT AGAIN"

I want this game so bad. Announce a release date already!

As soon as Green Hill Zone came onto the screen, the widest and most genuine smile appeared on my face. Sonic 1 was the first game I ever owned as it came with my Sega Genesis 25 years ago. Sonic Mania is looking great, and it will be fantastic to be able to have my kids grow up playing Sonic too.

the last time I've been hyped for a sonic game was sonic generations..... its been a while... here we go again

The new invincible song is quite good

My profile picture perfectly depicts my reaction to that entire big ass unground section in Green Hill. My god!

this looks like a masterpiece. congrats to the team who created it

Studiopolis Zone from Sonic Mania should be a New Sonic Stage for the New Smash Bros. game for Switch.

this would never be possible without blast processing.

Wait... did Sega make this game? This looks too good for a modern day Sonic.

The animations are beautiful and the music is awesome! The music for Studiopolis reminds me of Sonic Adventure. Can't wait to play this for myself!

This looks amazing. I want it now!

Everything looks so fluid and smooth in this game, I feel like the fast parts of the game are really gonna shine. This footage gave me so much Sonic nostalgia, can't wait to play it!

If '06 was a cancer, Mania is the cure.

This seriously is doing it for me. It's so like what I remember, only better but in this subtle and sublime way

Okay I was impressed with the 2nd levels music!! i can't stop listening to it.

I absolutely love the fact this game seems to use sounds from all different Sonic Games. Even at 10:02 you can hear the teleporter hole sound from Sonic Spinball!

Studiopolis is just... wow. Incredible music, beautiful stage - it reminds me of the three "fun" zones from the classics (Spring Yard, Casino Night and Carnival Night) with a bit of Oil Ocean - and the little gimmicks are actually pretty neat, especially the satellite dish warps and the silhouette segments. This may just edge out Casino Night to become my new favorite zone.

I'm getting this one on day one. I will always remember when I brought home a Gen and played this back in 92. I became an instant Sega fan. It had great replay value.

omg the rings are so stereo. or is it some pan automation

Loving the Pink Pot sign from the first Streets of Rage game at the start of Studiopolis. Nice touch.

Hope there's some sonic&tails co op. Classic sonic games made the best couch co ops.

At 5:22 and 12:15 Sonic's signpost winks a job well done nice Job Taxman and co. Love the animation cannot wait for updates this year

THE MUSIC!, omg the remixes and the new zone, I can't wait to see what you hey do with the rest of the zones, gg sega

I'm soo playing this day one with a retro Sega Genesis controller plugged in my PC. You cannot play a classic sonic game without one!!

So beautiful! So many new pathways! Sounds excellent! Just everything about this game... so great!

I've never, ever pre-ordered anything in my life and I'm almost 30. Thanks for changing that, Sonic Mania.

That's pretty good..... i can see elements from so many classic Sonic games

RELEASE A PSN/XBOX LIVE DEMO ALREADY SEGA PLZ!!

they should add a stage map that looks like the island on the title screen

OMG!!!! I´m 40 and i can´t wait to put my hands on this game. THIS IS REAL SONIC GAME!!!!! I´m very excited, all my dreams about a new sonic game came true. Thanks for everyone that create this game.

Green Hill has to be up there as one of the greatest pieces of video game music of all time. What a belter. And a great arrangement from Tee Lopes, as well.

Invincibility music was a real disappointment though

Cannot wait for this game to release, hopefully they're release a demo just to calm us down.

The song for studiopolis is awesome I love it! Man i wish this would come to the switch, I'm not a sonic fan but I'd definitely buy this game, the studiopolis zone blows my mind! The music and the layout it's amazing!

Oh, what we got there? A masterpiece? Yes. Thats some amazing game i see right there

epic gameplay!

And I'm here, patiently waiting for another Boost-formula game... -This game looks pretty fun tho.-

Oh, this is BEAUTIFUL!

I'm honestly so excited. This is all the old school Sonic fans ever wanted

i'd gladly pay 20$ for this.

This game looks hella dope. This is what I've wanted since I was 9 years old.

Wow ! Im in tears, it takes me back

Green hill zones caves and soundtrack blew my mind, brings back so much memories

This better have chaos emeralds and super sonic

this game will be suitable for sega saturn who's voting for a sega saturn mini console ?

It's so interesting to see new sprites in old games. I love that 🔥

Love the music and the game. it brings back so many great and sad memories 😞

It's great to see sonic and mario going back to their roots. hopefully we can get a mario maker style game for sonic.

#MakeSonicGreatAgain

I teared up seeing that new level and the music and everything is just so nice

Wow that looks amazing!