Sonic Galactic, a fan-made title from Starteam, evokes the spirit of Sonic Mania, captivating players with its pixel art and classic Sonic gameplay. This labor of love, revealed at the 2020 Sonic Amateur Games Expo, reimagines the Sonic universe as a potential 32-bit release for 5th-generation consoles – a "what if" scenario exploring a Sega Saturn-era Sonic.
The game's second demo (early 2025) delivers a nostalgic 2D platforming experience reminiscent of the Genesis titles, but with a unique twist. Players control the iconic trio – Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles – across new zones. Joining the roster are two exciting additions: Fang the Sniper (from Sonic Triple Trouble) seeking revenge against Dr. Eggman, and Tunnel the Mole, a newcomer from Illusion Island.
Each character boasts unique level paths, mirroring the design of Sonic Mania. The special stages, also heavily inspired by Mania, challenge players to collect rings within a time limit in a 3D environment. While a complete playthrough of Sonic's levels takes about an hour, exploring the stages of the other characters adds another hour, resulting in approximately two hours of gameplay in total. The demo provides a substantial taste of what this promising fan project has to offer. It’s a must-play for fans of pixel art and classic Sonic adventures.