History MythologyGag / SonicMania

* [[https://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/File:SonicMania_Ray.png Ray's new design]] in ''Mania [[UpdatedRerelease Plus]]'' combines his [[http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ray_Bay.png original design]] from ''VideoGame/SegaSonicTheHedgehog'' with the blue shoes he gets for his [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Archie Comics]] [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/f/f6/Ray_the_Flying_Squirrel_%28Archie%29_profile.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20171218201703 redesign]].
* In ''Sonic Mania Adventures'', the Eggman head on the spring after Sonic opens the capsule is almost exactly like the one that appeared in the post-Egg Albatross cutscenes of ''Heroes''. The device Eggman sets to capture Sonic is identical to a similar device from the obscure ''Sonic: The Ride'', though it was originally an anvil rather than a bear trap.

** An incredibly obscure one: after defeating the Act 2 boss, the TV in the background displays a "technical difficulties" message accompanied by a loud buzzing noise -- the very same buzzing noise [[TakeThatUs that plagued the Sonic 25th Anniversary live stream]], [[https://twitter.com/bradflick55/status/897568229404549120 confirmed]] by WordOfGod no less. To drive the point home, a set of numbers can be seen in the bottom right corner of the screen: "072216". July 22, 2016, the day of the stream in question.

** Encore Mode in ''Sonic Mania Plus'' gives Green Hill a sunset backdrop, bringing Sunset Hill Zone from ''[[VideoGame/SonicAdvanceTrilogy Sonic Advance 3]]'' to mind, as well as Stealth's [[NamesTheSame own]] Sunset Hill Zone from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogMegamix'' before it [[ArtEvolution evolved]] into Sunny Shores Zone.

** From the same stage, Knuckles faces Heavy King at [[spoiler:the Master Emerald shrine, using the Super Emeralds as platforms. Before the fight, Knuckles has an illustrated flashback to when Eggman tried to steal the Master Emerald from him and electrocuted him back in ''Sonic & Knuckles''. The boss jumps on top of the Master Emerald and absorbs its power, much like Mecha Sonic did in ''Sonic & Knuckles''.]]

** Act 2 also has purple, stormy outside skies with wind currents that intermittently work against you, similar to the second segment of Sky Deck from ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''.

* Press Garden's Act 2 boss uses [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Asterons]] as throwing stars, and the sounds for either hitting him out of a jump or letting his throwing stars explode are ripped straight from the ''Shinobi'' series.

* [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Stardust Speedway]] Act 1 takes heavy design cues from [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Marble Garden]], with the pull cords, spin dash discs, and double-sided loop exits from the latter stage all present in the former. The unfurling vine ledges from Mushroom Hill and the diagonal slingshots from Sandopolis also make appearances.

* The prelude to the Act 1 boss fight for Hydrocity plays almost identically to the prelude to the Act 2 boss fight from Marble Garden, with Eggman causing the ground to start rising and Sonic having to climb up rapidly to avoid getting crushed into the ceiling. The boss fight proper has you [[HoistByHisOwnPetard turning Eggman's machine from the original game against him]]. Meanwhile, the second half of the Act 2 boss is literally a carbon copy of the Act 1 boss from the original Hydrocity.

* Mirage Saloon Zone is basically the long-scrapped Dust Hill/Sand Shower Zone from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2'' mixed with its also-scrapped Desert Dazzle reinterpretation from the 2011 version of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'', minus the TimeTravel gimmick. The connection to Dust Hill/Sand Shower Zone is further enforced by the level transition cutscene at the end of Mirage Saloon Zone, which reveals that it's located in Westside Island from Sonic 2. The zone also features elements from Collision Chaos (the design of the flippers and bumpers) and Palmtree Panic[=/=]Wacky Workbench (the saloon seats behave the same as certain platforms from those levels).

* Act 2 of Oil Ocean Zone marks the return of the light switch mechanic from [[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sandopolis Act 2]], with the primary hazard this time being poisonous fumes that slowly drain your rings (but won't kill you) if they get too thick. Pulling switches scattered throughout the stage clears the fumes out. These switches are similar to the ones used to keep the torches lit and the ghosts at bay in Sandopolis Act 2.

* Act 2 of Lava Reef Zone features conveyor belts taken from Quartz Quadrant, with switches that can reverse the direction of their travel. Also, the transition to the boss area references the transition from Lava Reef Act 2 to Hidden Palace Zone from ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''.

** Act 2 ends with Eggman attacking a tiny Sonic from what is essentially a giant gashapon machine. Hitting the crank drops miniaturized versions of Eggman's boss machines from Marble Zone in ''Sonic 1'' and Emerald Hill Zone in ''Sonic 2'', as well as Amy Rose dolls that, like in ''Sonic CD'' will try to immobilize Sonic with a big hug... and then EXPLODE!
*** Said machine also invokes ''VideoGame/KnucklesChaotix'' boss design cues.

* The zone name Titanic Monarch is most likely a reference to the "Gigantic Angel Zone" from the obscure ''VideoGame/SonicPocketAdventure''. Gigantic Angel was a remake of Metropolis dressed up to look like Scrap Brain and one of its acts used the Chrome Gadget theme. Titanic Monarch can be described as a fully realized Chrome Gadget that is combined with both Scrap Brain and Metropolis, and even takes on Chrome Gadget's dark green colour scheme in Encore Mode.