Sonic Mania Gives Knuckles A Chance To Mix It Up In New Footage

Sonic Mania will feature the classic Sega Genesis trinity of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, and yet, most footage of the game has focused solely on the blue hedgehog. Yeah, Sonic's the star who pays the bills, but his co-stars should get at least some time in the spotlight!

Well, the latest Sonic Mania footage finally gives Knuckles his due, as he gets to blast through Flying Battery Zone, a new take on the classic mechanized zone from Sonic & Knuckles. While the stage looks mostly familiar, new elements, like magnetized areas that react when you pick up the lightning shield, have been added. The footage also provides a nice look at what makes Knuckles unique, as he gets to show off his gliding and wall-climbing abilities. There's a reason even people who hate Sonic sidekicks generally tolerate Knuckles!

For those who aren't, ahem, up to speed, Sonic Mania is a new retro-style platformer being produced by a cadre of hardcore hedgehog fans. Here's how Sega describes the game:

"A brand-new classic Sonic adventure! Play as Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles as you race through all-new Zones and fully re-imagined classics, each filled with exciting surprises and powerful bosses. Harness Sonic's new Drop Dash, Tails' flight, and Knuckles' climbing abilities to overcome the evil Dr. Eggman's robots. Discover a myriad of never-before-seen hidden paths and secrets!

This all-new experience celebrates the best of Classic Sonic, pushing the envelope forward with stunning 60 FPS gameplay and pixel-perfect physics. Welcome to the next level for the world's fastest blue hedgehog. Welcome to Sonic Mania."

Sonic Mania was recently delayed until sometime this summer, with an early September release date rumored. The game is scheduled to dash onto PC, Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.