The game emulates the gameplay and 2D sprite animation of the original Sega Mega Drive Sonic games. Sonic Mania was developed by Christian Whitehead, who had previously worked on enhanced ports of early Sonic games, with the aid of Headcannon and PagodaWest Games, who were chosen for their work in the Sonic fangame community and was published by Sega. The storyline of the game also ties into the events of Sonic Forces. Eggman and his Hard Boiled Heavies from harnessing a mysterious energy source known as the Phantom Ruby. The game is shortly set after the conclusion of the Death Egg saga and follows Sonic, Tails and Knuckles as they try to keep Dr. Sonic Mania ( ソニックマニア, Sonikku Mania ?) is a side-scrolling platformer video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise which acts as a celebration of the series' 25th anniversary.
