You’re not dreaming. Since the 90’s, Sonic has advanced from the 2D world into 3D, and has crossed multiple platforms along the way. But what would have happened if Sonic had continued his 2D glory after Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles? The world is about to find out.

Before you get too lost in nostalgia of the 1990s, the game is also adding completely new Zones with all-new Acts and bosses into the mix.

Sonic Mania is a brand new Sonic the hedgehog title that takes the classic Sonic experience and adds new elements and exciting surprises. Players will be able to choose between playing Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles to defeat bosses and enemies. Harness Sonic’s new Drop Dash, Tails’ flight, and Knuckles’ climbing abilities to overcome evil Dr. Eggman and his henchmen. Discover a myriad of never-before-seen hidden paths and secrets!

Green Hill Zone Act 2 presents an all-new area exclusive to Sonic Mania, expanding upon the tropical setting of Act 1, now with new mechanics, obstacles, and secrets to uncover. You like fire, right? Now you can use it to burn log bridges and collect rings and power-ups! Green Hill Zone Act 2’s boss is also notably different from the original, but we won’t be spoiling that yet.

Also revealed today is the first in a series of new bosses, called the “Hard-Boiled Heavies”. These unique foes are part of Eggman’s new arsenal, each equipped with special skills designed to make a blue hedgehog’s life much harder.

The first of these, “Heavy Gunner”, will appear at the end of the Hollywood-inspired Studiopolis Act 1, and is a large, decorated robot who can take to the sky with his helicopter. Heavy Gunner is armed with a powerful rocket launcher that he uses to discourage “speeding”. (Sources from Studiopolis confirm this method is, generally, highly effective.)

Sonic Mania will also be shown on the show floor at PAX East from March 10-12 at the following booths, with fans able to follow livestreams during the following times:

• Twitch Booth 18091 - Livestreaming on Friday, March 10 at 2:45pm EST
• EVGA Booth 20031 - Livestreaming on Friday, March 10 at 5:00pm EST
• XSplit Booth 11061 - Livestreaming on Sunday, March 12 at 10:30am EST

This all-new experience celebrates the best of Classic Sonic and features stunning 60 FPS gameplay and pixel-perfect physics.

Sega will release a very limited North America only Collector’s Edition ($69.99) of Sonic Mania for the Nintendo Switch, with the pre-order live now here.