History YMMV / SonicMania

** When discussing the franchise's attempts to WinBackTheCrowd, some will refuse to acknowledge this game as legitimate reasoning towards that simply because it was mainly developed by [[PromotedFanboy fans within the community]] rather than Sonic Team, and as such will only consider the franchise to be on a road to recovery if high-quality games are made by Sonic Team themselves.[[note]]The game is often seen as a fan project that was licensed by Sega when many of the staff had previously worked with Sega and were still under supervision from Sonic Team.[[/note]] Compare to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXMegaMan'', another well-made game by a single ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fan that has divided people on whether or not it should count toward that series' own recovery due to having little to no involvement from Creator/{{Capcom}} beyond officially endorsing and supporting its release.

** During the fight with the Egg Spider, Eggman's face can be seen from the cockpit upside down. Some people at first glance misinterpreted it, as this way the doctor's thick mustache, nose, and cape make it look like a face. One fan rolled with it, thus [[https://twitter.com/blackbookalpha/status/901971073096335360 "Eggette"]] was born, probably the most-liked fan character in the ''Sonic'' fandom. With an already impressive amount of fan work around her, many fans are calling Sega to [[AscendedMeme make her an official part of Sonic canon]].

* WinBackTheCrowd: The game's reveal was largely met with positivity, thanks to its enhanced-{{retraux}} graphics, the classic Genesis gameplay being present, and Tails and Knuckles returning as playable characters. Some even praise it as the "true" ''Sonic 4''. The fact that it's being worked on by Whitehead, known for his [[PolishedPort top-notch ports]] of Genesis-era ''Sonic'' games, certainly helps, too.

** When discussing the franchise's attempts to WinBackTheCrowd, some will refuse to acknowledge this game as legitimate reasoning towards that simply because it was mainly developed by [[PromotedFanboy fans within the community]] rather than Sonic Team, and as such will only consider the franchise to be on a road to recovery if high-quality games are made by Sonic Team themselves.[[note]]This is often inaccurately framed as the game being a fan project that was licensed by SEGA when many of the staff had worked officially with SEGA before and were still under supervision from Sonic Team.[[/note]] Compare to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXMegaMan'', another well-made game by a single ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fan that has divided people on whether or not it should count toward that series' own recovery due to having little to no involvement from Creator/{{Capcom}} beyond officially endorsing and supporting its release.

* CheeseStrategy: The “Collect ‘Em All” achievement can be easily earned with some trickery with debug mode. Use debug mode to warp to the end of the stage and hit the checkpoint. Then deliberately die in the boss fight, which fools the game into thinking you’re not using debug mode when you respawn. So long as debug mode isn’t activated again, the achievement will be unlocked if its conditions are met.

* CheeseStrategy: The “Collect ‘Em All” achievement can be easily earned with some trickery with debug mode. Use debug mode to warp to the end of the stage and hit the checkpoint. Then deliberately die in the boss fight, which fools the game into thinking you’re not using debug mode when you respawn.

** When discussing the franchise's attempts to WinBackTheCrowd, some will refuse to acknowledge this game as legitimate reasoning towards that simply because it was mainly developed by [[PromotedFanboy fans within the community]] rather than Sonic Team, and as such will only consider the franchise to be on a road to recovery if high-quality games are made by Sonic Team themselves. Compare to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXMegaMan'', another well-made game by a single ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fan that has divided people on whether or not it should count toward that series' own recovery due to having little to no involvement from Creator/{{Capcom}} beyond officially endorsing and supporting its release.

** "Professional Hedgehog" for those who haven't collected all seven Chaos Emeralds, which requires completing a NoDamageRun on Titanic Monarch Zone Act 1. Even worse, because this includes the boss, that means that you can't utilize Time Attack's instant restart button, which means every time you get hit, it's back to the menu to restart manually. And to add insult to injury, taking a hit while using a shield ''does'' count as damage! While Time Attack mode does make it slightly more bearable since you ''dont'' have to fight the boss at the end, the tradeoff is that you can't use Super Sonic to cheese the level in that mode.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** ''The whole game'' is one, as it's a tribute to long-time fans headed by the man who made {{Polished Port}}s of ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic 1]]'', ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2 Sonic 2]]'', and ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]''. This is especially the case for fans who were less than satisfied with ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4 Sonic 4]]''.
** Tails and Knuckles are ''finally'' playable again in a mainline ''Sonic'' game after being DemotedToExtra for so many years. Knuckles in particular is worth mentioning: videos taken during the reveal event which had his specific portrait shown on the roll call were met with thunderous applause by all the attendees.
** The Steam version of the game added the ability to become Super with a separate button. This was later carried over to the console versions.
** In March 2019, the much maligned Denuvo [[UsefulNotes/DigitalRightsManagement DRM]] was removed in the Steam version.
** The return of Super Knuckles and Super Tails after the "only male Hedgehogs get super forms" thing for so long.
** In both a free content update for the original version and ''Plus'', some improvements were added generally to fix the most prominent complaints or to just make the experience more enjoyable:
*** Some players were disappointed with the fact that you could only use Sonic's era-specific special abilities on a No Save File. ''Plus'' makes it so that you can use them on save files. You can also disable the time limit on levels if you want.
*** New transitions were added to stages that didn't have them, fixing a few {{Plot Hole}}s in how the characters made it from Point A to Point B.
*** The Metal Sonic fight was rebalanced so that its puzzle phase is beatable even if you don't understand the solution and the chase sections are now a bit shorter. The third phase was even overhauled to sweeten the deal. And in case the fight still feels long, there's a checkpoint added just before the last phase.
*** [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking The classic "getting spiked" sound effect returns as well.]]
*** ''Plus'' is available in a physical format for consoles, unlike the original version which is digital-only.
*** ''VideoGame/BlueSphere'' as the star post bonus stage is a highly-controversial feature, due to many players finding it tedious compared to other bonus stage formats. ''Plus'' replaces ''Blue Sphere'' with a new pinball bonus stage, which in addition to being less repetitive also allows the player to (re)gain party members and shields.
** The return of Mighty and Ray in ''Plus'', who had been forgotten for decades outside the comics.

* SelfImposedChallenge: The game being longer than any 2D Sonic game, the No Save slot can be considered this.

* SelfImposedChallenge: This seems to be the whole point of the No Save slot.

*** Ray is absolutely ''ridiculous''. His glide can reach insane levels of speed and he [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=1FUNTwnUrAc can]] [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=RRdtr9u9lKE speedrun]] [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=1JkRvAakjO0 a]] [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=6OBmYTCZfwY level]] [[https://youtube.com/watch?v=TOlBxjmDikQ faster]] than ''Super Sonic can ever hope to''. Now, knowing that the super forms grant you SuperSpeed, try to think how fast [[UpToEleven Super Ray can get the job done]].

** When discussing the franchise's attempts to WinBackTheCrowd, some will refuse to acknowledge this game as legitimate reasoning towards that simply because it was mainly developed by [[PromotedFanboy fans within the community]] rather than Sonic Team, and as such will only consider the franchise to be on a road to recovery if high-quality games are made by Sonic Team, themselves. Compare to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXMegaMan'', another well-made game by a single ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fan that has divided people on whether or not it should count toward that series' own recovery due to having little to no involvement from Creator/{{Capcom}} beyond officially endorsing and supporting its release.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks:

** With such accolades like being called "the best ''Sonic'' game in years", some fans are annoyed with all the gushing ''Mania'' receives and have accused it of being somewhat undeserving of its acclaim, arguing that it is blatant PanderingToTheBase and [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks similar to the classics to a fault]]. Additionally, there are those who believe that its acclaim will work ''against'' the franchise [[ToughActToFollow as subsequent games will be compared to it]].

* MagnificentBitch: The [[MasterOfDisguise Heavy Magician]] is the most crafty and charismatic of Dr. Eggman's [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Hard-Boiled Heavies]]. Encountering Sonic in Mirage Saloon Zone, she conjures several Badniks, including a Caterkiller she turns giant, before shooting the Tornado down in disguise and using her disguises in a magic show battle. In Plus's Encore Mode, after surviving the destruction of the Titanic Monarch, she disguises as one of Sonic's captured friends to steal the Phantom Ruby, revive the other Hard-Boiled Heavies, and continue Eggman's world domination plot.

* IKnewIt:
** Many had assumed the game was coming to the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch, since ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' was announced when the system was known as the NX.
** When Stardust Speedway Zone was revealed via Twitter, most fans immediately guessed that [[spoiler:Metal Sonic would return as the boss of said stage]].
** [[spoiler:Theories about ''Mania''[='=]s connection to ''Forces'' were all over message boards, with fans noticing similarities like the Drop Dash in both games, that ''Forces''[='=] Classic Sonic is from "another dimension" as opposed to ''Generations'' having him be from the past, and how ''Mania'' involves a mysterious new power. The good ending reveals how Classic Sonic may have ended up in ''Forces'' as well as the possible origins of Infinite.]]

** For Knuckles particularly, the battle against Crimson Eye in Titanic Monarch Zone Act 1. Originally, its predecessor in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'', Red Eye, could not be beaten with Knuckles at all (the eye was just too high). In ''Mania'', the weak point is now reachable by Knuckles, but just ''barely''. You need to get a fair running start at the eye to even have a shot at hitting it and there's a good chance that you won't have enough momentum on the rebound, so you'll take a spill onto the eggs (and even if you can successfully avoid landing on the eggs you still have to dodge the shrapnel from the egg that detonates on your return trip). You need a lot of good timing and smooth control to avoid taking damage in the first phase. The second phase isn't as bad but you can get screwed easily if the lift keeps going up -- thus forcing the gravity to pull you down -- as it just wastes time.

** For Knuckles particularly, the battle against Crimson Eye in Titanic Monarch Zone Act 1. Originally, its predecessor in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'', Red Eye, could not be beaten with Knuckles at all (the eye was just too high). In ''Mania'', the weak point is now reachable by Knuckles, but just ''barely''. You need to get a fair running start at the eye to even have a shot at hitting it and there's a good chance that you won't have enough momentum on the rebound, so you'll take a spill onto the eggs (and even if you can successfully avoid landing on the eggs you still have to dodge the shrapnel from the egg that detonates on your return trip). You need a lot of good timing and smooth control to avoid taking damage in the first phase. The second phase isn't as bad, but you can get screwed easily if the lift keeps going up, thus forcing the gravity to pull you down, as it just wastes time.

** For Knuckles particularly, the battle against Crimson Eye in Titanic Monarch Zone Act 1. Originally, its predecessor in ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'', Red Eye, could not be beaten with Knuckles at all (the eye was just too high). In ''Mania'', the weak point is now reachable by Knuckles, but just ''barely''. You need to get a fair running start at the eye to even have a shot at hitting, it and there's a good chance that you won't have enough momentum on the rebound, so you'll take a spill onto the eggs. You need a lot of good timing and smooth control to avoid taking damage in the first phase. The second phase isn't as bad, but you can get screwed easily if the lift keeps going up, thus forcing the gravity to pull you down, as it just wastes time.

** Even though the final boss can typically be tedious and challenging due to its multiple phases, it becomes surprisingly easy and brief if you get the hang of positioning yourself right above Robotnik without excess horizontal momentum whenever his electric shock phase begins, and landing as many hits as possible on Robotnik during his downtime. As you break off his chains by damaging him, it becomes easier to get an optimal position, since his shock will have a smaller area of affect. Alternatively, if you're able to get a Lightning Shield or SuperMode and keep them before entering this particular boss, his electric shock phase becomes a complete joke, as you're immune to it.

** [[spoiler:The true final boss for Encore Mode is just Mania Mode's pre-final boss.]]

** While many fans knew that there was going to be another ''Sonic CD'' level alongside Stardust Speedway, Metallic Madness was practically the last zone people thought was going to be chosen for this game. It was specially surprising because level mechanics from it such as multi-path tubes and chained walker platforms appear in previous zones.

* HoYay: A particularly odd example. The DummiedOut [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOKZK8MU5lo love tester]] in Studiopolis shows [[PrecociousCrush Tails having a happy reaction to being paired with Sonic]], and [[CrackShip Knuckles having an interest in]] ''[[FoeYay Eggman]]''!

** With ''Mania'' receiving such accolades like being called "the best ''Sonic'' game in years", some fans are annoyed with all the gushing it receives and have accused it of being somewhat undeserving of its acclaim, arguing that it is blatant PanderingToTheBase and [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks similar to the classics to a fault]]. Additionally, there are those who believe that its acclaim will work ''against'' the franchise [[ToughActToFollow as subsequent games will be compared to it]].

* [[AwesomeBosses/VideoGames Awesome Bosses]]: The game was praised for having a very varied selection of boss battles. Not only do you face Eggman, but his new elite guard, the Hard Boiled Heavies, as well as a few of his inventions he sets on you:

** The Hydrocity Zone Act 1 boss, due to [[spoiler:the sheer {{Schadenfreude}} of you, yourself, piloting the current Egg robot, and giving the bad doctor a taste of his own medicine]].

* FandomHeresy: Admit you don't like the game. [[SchmuckBait Go on, we dare ya]]. After the game received widespread acclaim, and even more after ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' came out to [[SoOkayItsAverage a mediocre reception]], many fans proclaimed {{Promoted Fanboy}}s Christian Whitehead, Headcannon, and [=PagodaWest=] Games to be the better handlers of the franchise than Sonic Team themselves. This is for better or for worse, as when ports of ''Sonic 1'' and ''2'' were brought to the Switch as part of M2's ''SEGA AGES'' series of ports, they got blasted simply because the CW-HC-PW trio wasn't involved with it.

** With ''Mania'' receiving such accolades like being called "the best ''Sonic'' game in years", some fans are annoyed with all the gushing it has been receiving and have accused it of being somewhat undeserving of its acclaim, arguing that it is blatant PanderingToTheBase and [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks similar to the classics to a fault]]. Additionally, there are those who believe that its acclaim will work ''against'' the franchise [[ToughActToFollow as subsequent games will be compared to it]].
** When discussing the franchise's attempts to WinBackTheCrowd, some will refuse to acknowledge this game as legitimate reasoning towards that simply because it was mainly developed by [[PromotedFanboy fans within the Sonic community]] rather than Creator/SonicTeam, and as such will only consider the franchise to be on a road to recovery if high-quality games are made by Sonic Team, themselves. Compare to ''VideoGame/StreetFighterXMegaMan'', another well-made game by a single ''Franchise/MegaMan'' fan that has divided people on whether or not it should count toward that series' own recovery due to having little to no involvement from Creator/{{Capcom}} beyond officially endorsing and supporting its release.

** There's at least two cases where a zone's boss is easier than its mini-boss. Studiopolis Zone Act 1 doesn't let you collect lost rings while running alongside Heavy Gunner's helicopter, so its slow ground-running missiles become extra dangerous (notably, this is the only Hard-Boiled Heavy that isn't fought in an Act 2). The Act 2 boss is an unprotected Eggman floating barely in reach of jumps, and the arena's weather effects are fairly predictable; playing as Sonic with the Lightning or Bubble Shields or Tails makes the boss into an absolute joke since they can defeat Eggman before he can even do his first attack. [[spoiler:Metallic Madness]]'s boss is a FlunkyBoss where you control when the enemies come out, while the mini-boss is an upgraded version of the first ''Sonic'' game's FinalBoss that's just as capable of [[OneHitKill smashing you to death]]. It's also telling that both of these bosses only get [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLyKKXFe2HY a remixed version]] of the mini-boss theme, as if the developers were aware that they were too silly and non-threatening to warrant [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYj1GbbQr4w the normal boss music.]]