Sonic Mania Will Re-Introduce A Two-Player Competitive Mode

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 remains one of the best games in the series. The music and graphics are just about perfect (for 16-bit era); it's a lot of fun to play; watching Tails accidentally succumb multiple times (only to come back!) is hilarious; and, on top of that, there's fun to be had with the two-player competitive mode. Sure, the screen is scrunched a little, but watching two players go at it in an all-out race for the finish can be fun.

We bring that mode up because it's apparently making a comeback. Sega has announced that the competition mode will make its return in Sonic Mania, which is set to release next week. In the mode, two players will once again be able to race against one another, though the screen will be slightly scrunched, just like in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. But despite the pint-sized differences, this won't stop players from having fun trying to one-up each other in a race towards the finish line.

The game will feature all the staples that we've come to expect from the previous competition mode, as you'll be able to pick up rings (to add to your tally), as well as items (which you can use to your advantage or to slow down your opponent). There will also be clear times that are accounted for at the end of each race, so it pays to shave seconds off the clock and finish the levels in the fastest time possible.

You can also adjust rules so you can set up your own custom matches, if you feel like challenging your fellow players. Sega hasn't detailed just how many levels you'll be able to partake in competitive mode, but it'll definitely bring back that old-school feeling from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 days. You can check out first footage from the mode in the trailer above – if you can withstand the scrunched effect, that is. (We've gotten quite used to it!)

We're not too far off from experiencing the old-school joy that this game will bring, as Sonic Mania is set to premiere on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on August 15th.