First images released from Sonic Mania 2 prototype

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch

Sonic Mania 2 never came to be, but a first look at the prototype has now been revealed with new images.

Director Christian Whitehead posted a few shots on social media. These images were shared in celebration of the game’s eighth anniversary.

One of the big things we’re seeing here is Kanga Clanga Badnik, as it appears in the 2.5D prototype. Evening Star went to work on this following Sonic Mania. Whitehead said of the character: “It is balancing on its tail and kicking forward with its springy roo feet! Sonic is knocked to the left with significant kinetic force.”

Whitehead as well as Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka both spoke about why we never got Sonic Mania 2 a couple of years ago. According to Iizuka, there were discussions about the two sides working together again, with them discussing making something brand new that wasn’t just pixel art. Whitehead confirmed that it toyed around with 2.5D (which we now see in these images). However, Iizuka said ” everything came to a stop” for unspecified reasons. SEGA then went on to make Sonic Superstars with Arzest. You can read the full comments from Iizuka and Whitehead here.

What do you think of the Sonic Mania 2 prototype? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

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