UPDATE: Some slight confusion has been cleared up - although sadly this means that while the Sonic Mania Plus DLC will be available to current owners it will not be free. Here is what SEGA told us:
"For all gamers who purchased the original digital version of Sonic Mania on console and PC, an Encore DLC pack will be available for sale to access the new features, with more details to come at a later date."
SEGA has announced a new expanded edition of Sonic Mania called Sonic Mania Plus which has a Summer 2018 Release Date. It will be released as a special edition in stores, but the extra content will be also available for current owners of the game.
Alongside Sonic Mania Plus will be Sonic Mania Adventures
How fans are fixing Sonic Forces with Mods!
The DLC was spotted by us in December as 'Project Plus', and while the extras aren't quite as exciting as we had initially hoped they are still quite exciting. Here's the full list:
- 2 New Playable Characters - Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel, "with their own unique abilities"
- All-New 'Encore Mode', "a new mode that adds a fresh look to familiar locations while challenging new and veteran players alike"
- Expanded 4P Competition Mode
- Packaged Release includes: Holographic Slip Cover, Reversible Genesis/Mega Drive sleeve, 32-Page Art Book
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The two new characters are Mighty the Armadillo from Knuckles Chaotix and Ray The Flying Squirrel from the "SegaSonic" Arcade Game, who are basically slightly altered Sonic and Tails designs. Two bizarre choices certainly, but clearly they're classic fan choices. We do have to ask why not Amy Rose though, since the Sonic CD world and story is such a big part of Sonic Mania.
Alongside this release will be a new 5-part series of animated cartoons on YouTube called Sonic Mania Adventures, with the first due within the next month. They're being done by the team behind the wonderful animated opening that you can see below, as if you've forgotten the beauty.
Sonic Mania Plus will release in Summer 2018.
